Out of Many, One People has been the motto of Jamaicans since 1962, but before that, it was something else. The Gleaner was there for the moment that changed. So significant was the change that there is a bet going around in the office about how many people know what the motto was before Out of Many, One People.  

Published April 4, 1962

JAMAICA’S MOTTO WILL BE : OUT OF MANY, ONE PEOPLE

Jamaica’s Motto in Independence will be OUT OF MANY, ONE PEOPLE. On the authority of the Premier and Cabinet Leader of the Opposition, this announcement was made yesterday by the Chairman of the Independence Celebrations Committee.

The motto will be inscribed in the scroll of the Jamaica Coat of Arms, which will be retained without any other alteration.  The existing Latin motto: "Indus uterque serviet uni" (The Indians twain shall serve one Lord), will be discarded as bearing no relation to modern independent Jamaica.

As was explained in a Ministry Paper tabled recently in the House of Representatives, the existing Coat of Arms was granted Jamaica in 1661 under Royal Warrant and was partially revised in 1957.

It constituted a badge of great historical significance.  The original Arms were designed by William Sandcroft, who was at that time Archbishop of Canterbury and the use of the Royal Helmet and Royal Mantling is a unique distinction accorded Jamaica.

Although the Legislature is not actively in session pending the elections, the Independence Celebrations Committee considered that settlement of the Coat of Arms and motto should be an urgent priority since the manufacture of various emblems and souvenirs for Independence could not proceed without them. Decision on the National Flag will not be taken until after the general election, but the Coat of Arms is most suitable for souvenirs and other commemorative devices, the Celebrations Chairman stated.

The Chairman, Mr. Theodore Sealy, was received by the Premier, the Hon. Norman Manley on Monday and was given authority to wait on the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Alexander Bustamante, in the matter.

The authority was contained in the following letter dated April 2.

                                                                

“My dear Sealy,”

“I take note of your assurance that all parties are generally agreed that the Coat of Arms should remain unchanged except for the motto and that an acceptable motto would be “Out of Many, One People.”

I would be very glad if you would ascertain if this has the positive and official approval of Sir Alexander Bustamante, Leader of the Opposition.

“So far as the Government and the Cabinet are concerned, please be assured that that motto is acceptable to us.”

“It would therefore be in order, subject to the approval of the Leader of the Opposition, to treat this as an official decision for all purposes connected with orders and arrangements in connection with Independence Celebrations.

                             Yours sincerely,

                             (Sgd.)   N.  W. Manley

                             Premier”

 

The Chairman was received yesterday morning by Sir Alexander Bustamante who gave the unqualified approval of himself and his party.