Town Meeting – by Norman Rockwell

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Town Meeting – by Norman Rockwell

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In 1943, Norman Rockwell created four oil paintings to illustrate 

the Four Freedoms that President Franklin Roosevelt spoke about

 in his 1941 State of the Union Address.  The image Rockwell 

chose to exemplify the Freedom of Speech is inspired by 

Rockwell’s impressions of Town Meeting in Arlington, Vermont. 

 According to legend, the person central to the work represents an 

individual who was the lone voice of dissent on an issue before 

Town Meeting.  Rockwell portrayed a proud man, a free man,

 speaking his piece at a New England Town Meeting. Rockwell 

managed to capture the best of Town Meeting.  Rockwell also 

portrays, Town Reports in hand, the voters of Arlington. They

 listen respectfully to the man expressing a minority view.  Maybe

 he changed some minds, maybe he did not.  But from this painting,

 we get a sense that he was not subjected to catcalls, was not 

demonized and was given a fair hearing of his views by his fellow 

citizens and taxpayers. 

We Templetonians should strive to live the ideal portrayed in 

Rockwell’s Freedom of Speech.   

Listen like the folks of Arlington 

while others are speaking. 

Refrain from personal attacks. 

Remember that people can be civil despite disagreeing on an 

issue.  And do not feel intimidated about attending Town Meeting. 

Do not feel shy about expressing your viewpoint and voting your 

conscience in an open public forum. 

Do not neglect your right and duty to participate.