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We of this generation
are the custodians and trustees of our national heritage for
the generations yet unborn . . . None of the irreplaceable features
of the wilderness shall be impaired in any way that would lead
posterity to blame this generation for the loss.
--Robert
F. Griggs
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The argument is frequently
presented that as we are a democracy
we must accept the desires of the majority in everything related
to the public interest and the public domain; decisions must
always be based on the precept of the greatest good for the greatest
number, However, we know that in a democracy the composite of
minority interests which constitute each individual are also
protected. The"greatest good" does not imply the greatest
exploitation. It is apparent that important minority rights are
recognized in various aspects of our national life. We do not
have juke-boxes in the Library of Congress, peanuts are not sold
in the aisles of our cathedrals, cigarette advertisements are
not displayed in the National Gallery of Art. The sanctity of
a church, a gallery of art, or a great temple of nature depends
upon a concept of appropriate use.
Compete restriction
of visitors from many of the parks and monuments, on the pretext
of total preservation, could indirectly become as disastrous
to the national park concept as total exploitation and misuse
would be.
If no one knows
the importance of preserving a beautiful place, that place is
not likely to be preserved, but instead to be transformed to
something else and probably something less. I believe the parklands
of America should always represent an enlightened relationship
of nature and man. The measure of enlightenment will be man's
ability in the special places to recognize that the natural things
which are there already are good things. These we inherit.
--ANSEL
ADAMS
[Photograph:
Redwood grove, Coast redwoods, California]
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