Bucyrus High School - Bucyrian Yearbook (Bucyrus, OH)

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DOES POETRY BELONG TO THE LESS HIGHLY FRED,K F. BLICKE Philomathean Bradwurster H. S. Orchestra Asslt. Editor, llBucyrianll DEVELOPED NATIONS? Is it true that poetry is the production of nations when in a state of unprogressiveness or non-development and that it flourishes best when the country is in this Condition? Or on the other hand is poetry merely the mark of manis intellectual or material progress? . , Let us assume that poetry belongs to the state of development and progressiveness. If such is the case, then today we must look to the worldis prosperous and intellectual nations for our poetry. We all know, however, that in the last Efty years no really good poetry has been produced by any nation. And indeed any reader of poetry would scarcely think of elassing poetry in the same age with steam engines, automobiles, wireless telegraphy and flying machines. Let us leave out of consideration the advanced age of civilization of the present and look over the past years when America was an undeveloped stretch of land on this side of the Atlantic, and note the sentimental age in which our grandfather's lived. Among their associates were such men as Lincoln, VVebster and Clay, whose powerful oratory gave them world-wide fame. An objection may be made that oratory is not poetry. It is not accordingr .to the literal understanding of poetry but the oratory of these men is found to be full of poetic expression and sentiment which shows that both the poet and the orator are inspired by the same surroundings. Whittier and Longfellow produced their greatest works in the early part of the nineteenth century when America was still classed as an inferior nation. Going still farther back to the time when America was mostly back woods, we find such men as Patrick Henry, John Adams and others, whose powerful and forceful elocution is too well known to commen:C upon. Let uS look at the condition of literature In Europe when that continent was in an unprogressive state of develop- ment. VVe Find in the early condition of England examples which show that its greatest poetry was composed when that nation was in an undeveloped state. We notice that almost the first utterance of the rough, rude, uncultured Teutons who inhabited England at an early date is poetry. Homeris Iliad, one of the immortal productions of Grecian literature, was written in the midst of unsettled warfare and when the countries of Greece were in a constant turmoil. Burns, Scotlandls greatest poet, lived and wrote when that country was in a state of degeneracy. In conclusion to the above facts Shakespeare, whose works stand today pre-eminent in the literary world, lived in a period called the Golden Age of English Literaturef, This period occupied the sixteenth century, when England was but poorly developed and when it was a rare thing for a common person to be able to read or write. Milton also wrote in one of the dark ages of English history. It has been shown that all of the worldls greatest poets wrote in times which are not noted for their brilliant his- tory, but rather in times when the country in which they lived was either at a standstill or in a state of degeneracy, and as this progressive world of today has failed to produce any great poetry we therefore conclude that poetry is the production of nations when in a state of less highly development. 24

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PRIMITIVE MAN llHas man always been man, or has he gradually developed from some less highly organized animaIPli is the question upon which so many philosophers have wasted their lives to advance theories. Perhaps the most noted of these is that of uNatural Selectionll by Charles Darwin. That is, all animals are the results of slow changes of nature from not more than live progenitors and that all plants and trees of an equal or less number. That by the gradual and slow changes of nature one animal has been born with a slight advantage over another in its means of securing food, in the development of certain muscles; and by far the more important in the advantage, it is better enabled to es Tips its enemies, while those less favorably equipped are an easy prey. Thus we have HNatural Selection by means of WThe Survival of the Fittestfl It is by this very slight change continuing through thousand of years inherited and advanced in each offspring that man has come into existence, that he at one time was without erect stature, but crawled upon his hands and feet, that he had the general appearance of a monkey, that he was endowed with the instinct of seeming danger and that he had no mode of conversation but merely a bark or grunt. This, by Darwirfs Theory was the early condition of man, and from these forms he has gradually risen to his present state. Now let us look at a theory which is just the opposite, that of the Duke of Argyll 0n KlPriineval Man. That is, that man was a separate creation, that he 'as alvays man and nothing else. This theory is carried to Genesis in the Scripture which treats of the creation of man independent of all other creations. But how the variations of complexion, language and intellect, which lead those of the same color to congregate and form nations so distant from each other? Why were there so many different languages if all were descended from the same parent? These questions and others like them are the points which lead to different theories. But one thing these nations have left behind by which we tan determine with some accuracy as to their antiquity, and that is their relics, carvings, and temples. In Egypt was found a temple which bore a picture representing negroes in bondage and by the hieroglyphic translation of this picture the time was found to be nineteen hundred years before Christ, showing that man must have existed long before this period in order to become well enough educated to print, paint and carve. If these carvings and paintings were completed three thousand eight hundred and eight years ago, when then was the beginning of a change of man lowering into some animal as is Darwiifs theory? But each can have his theory until a proof is given which leaves no doubt or room for a supposition. Each can have his belief and each is right. 23 WALTER R. BEALL Alpha Zeta Bradwurster Mgr. Class Base Ball

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WHAT CAN WOMAN DO? Each one leaves a record of his deeds in the final history of his race. Could this one thought be impressed upon the mind of every woman, there would follow such a great revolution as would cause this world to stand in amazement when seeing the results that would follow. Next to God, we are indebted to woman for the making of this world. Woman it is that can make this world an Eden if she will, but her intlucnce can also be used for evil. We will now speak of the woman who exerts her influence for good and who seizes every opportunity for making the future better and shedding peace around her. Some one has said gIn all history the strength of any nation is measured by the condition of the women of that nation, and will he throughout all succeeding ages. She may learn any trade for which she has the ability to master. Before the Civil War the majority of occupations were thought not appropriate for women. But when the war talled forth hosts of men from the north and south, the business of the time demanded tens of thousands of women to fill vacant positions. From that time a mighty Change took place favorable for female employment. Among the occupations for women are, music teaching, school teaching, florists, bookkeeping and banking, a work Clean and honorable, suitable for any woman. Among great women who have done much for their country is Dorothy Dix, liThe Angel of the Insane Asylumsf, Through her power of voice and intellect, the people saw that it was their duty to provide asylums for the are of the insane. Above all other positions is one in which she can accomplish most good for God and humanity. She can reign queen of the home. The husband goes out in the world to toil with his hands and brain to provide for the home, and the wife is to weave the results into the richest blessings. Talmadge said, llWoman sits on a throne so high, that if all the thrones 0f the world were placed on top of one another, they would not make for her a foot stoolfl Our great grandfathers thought they were by their votes putting Washington into the presidential Chair. But no, his mother, by the principals she taught him and by the habits she impressed made him president. It is the mothers duty to keep the home pure and happy. Ever since the world began, as long as the homes were kept pure in the nation, the people in the nation were strong in action and noble in thought. How true the old saying is, lVFhe hand that rocks the cradle rules the worldfl The early impressions are the best, and it is during this character forming period that woman can use her influence. Now I ask, does woman in reality rule, and, is it not her duty to act her part well? Look how woman has used her inHuenee against intemperanee, the great foe which destroys happiness, breaks the hearts of wives and mothers and brings poverty to the home. In order however to accomplish anything along this line she must become the highest type of womanhood, a pure Christian woman. The task of the Christian woman is laid before her, but her reward will be received through all eternity. ORPHA O. COE Alpha Zeta Ragus Girls