Classical High School - Classic Myths Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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America: Friend and teighlior 2 jane Quote Ever since the Pilgrims first set foot upon the shores of New England, America has stood as a refuge for the persecuted peoples of Europe. Here they have been able to find freedom and obtain a new start in life. But today it is not so simple as that. Although many have come over during the past year or two, large numbers of home- less and destitute people of war-torn Europe have been prevented from entering Amer- ica by strict immigration laws and opposition on all sides. This is the time that we, as American citizens, must do all in our power to aid those who are forced to remain in the stricken areas. In this work of help I hardly need mention the oldest and greatest of all relief agencies, the American Red Cross. The most strongly supported organization in this country, it conducts a speedy and remarkably efficient relief campaign wherever and whenever there is disaster. Whether the disaster be fire, hurricane, pestilence, or war, the Red Cross is invariably the first to be called on, the first to respond with money, supplies, and workers. There are, however, many smaller organizations, not so well known, which render valuable assistance to the exiled families of the war zone. Of these, to me the most noteworthy is the American Friends, Service Committee. This agency was founded by the Quakers under the leadership of Rufus Jones during the World War, to prove that, though they refused to fight, the Quakers were not cowards. At once they went into the area of the conHict where, because they represented no government or sect, they were able to carry on an impartial relief program, unhampered. In this second World War they are closely following the same procedure. Their efforts in behalf of the innocent victims have spread throughout Spain, France and Germany, as well as to the Scandinavian countries., and hundreds of Quaker families have opened their own homes to refugee children. This same hospitality was shown last summer by the townsfolk of Bennington, Vermont, who invited some fifty-odd refugee children to spend July and August in their homes. The results were surprisingly satisfactory. The foreign youngsters, well- mannered and appreciative, were quick to show their enthusiasm for the American government, which the young Vermonters had always taken for granted, and gradu- Twenty-six

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f assw Offflyfhs war. We are loath to see the United States waste energy, money, and lives in futile ways, and are therefore determined to keep her out of unnecessary warfare. Whenever we could do so during our history, we have substituted arbitration for war. Peaceful settlements of disputes with sister republics in the western hemisphere have cultivated good-will and a spirit of co-operation. lf an important matter needs consideration, a conference attended by delegates from all countries concerned is called. The results have been so successful that the United States has found that during recent years it has not had to continue the policy of intervention which it up- held until 1934. We also try to stimulate international co-operation by conducting good-will tours to all parts of the world. Some of them have been made by lesser government officials and peace-loving citizens, but lately presidents and cabinet members have found that on such tours, they become better acquainted with conditions in different countries, and so are helped in making agreements with them. We have formed treaties with many foreign nations to further and protect Amer- ican interestsg but other countries realize that we are not seeking more land or power. We are content with what we have. We are not likely to begin or enter a war unless our present status is interfered with. The fact that nations both of the Old and the New World' realize this constitutes our real defense. ln conclusion, we are not slow to accord due recognition to our army and navy for such security as they can afford us, and We know only too well the necessity for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the importance of its workg but, in the last analysis, whether in times of war or of peace, we realize that the defense which should be steadily developed is an awakened and sound public opinion governed by an alert and educated intelligence. Twenty-fue

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CQ assi c Qfyzyflts ally the youthful hosts began to realize their own good fortune in living in the United States. The experiment was so successful that from it came a proposal by Dorothy Canfield Fisher for the uChildren,s Crusade, a program whereby, during April of 1940, the children of America were given an opportunity to contribute through their schools as many pennies as they were years old for the sole benefit of the exiled boys and girls of Europe. But relief agencies, either here or abroad, can not alone solve all the problems. We must realize that it is our responsibility to extend to them both our moral and financial support. We must maintain a friendly and hospitable attitude towards those who come to us seeking refuge, whatever their race or creed. Often these are men and women whom we may be proud to have, men like Professor Albert Einstein and ex- President Benes of Czeeho-Slovakia, who can give us more than we can give them. The ability and Wide experience of some of our refugees means a rich addition to America's intellectual life. Shall We not, then, as individuals, guarantee our support to the various. relief agencies, in thought, time, and money, and continue to play the part of friend and neighbor to those who so sorely need a friend? Twenty-seven