Eau Claire High School - Beaver Tales Yearbook (Eau Claire, MI)

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Valedictory “ l'he Trail of Democracy’’ LOIS CLARK 1 hrough all history the one great ideal of the human race has been democracy. All people, regardless of nationality or place of abode, have worked toward this ideal— a democracy, not of government alone, but of social, intellectual and religious equality as well. Progress toward this ideal has been very unsteady, sometimes so slow that no marked advancement could be noticed for a century or more, and sometimes so rapid that every few years seemed to bring forth something previously thought im- possible. Nevertheless the principles and truths governing the thoughts and actions of men have been and are still being unearthed. And it seems always to be when they are most needed and the minds and hearts of men are best able to use them safely and intelligently that these principles are worked out. In earliest times tyranny ruled supreme. One individual, regardless of his char- acter and mental ability, has, by his tyrannical ability to make people fear him, or by his inheritance of a powerful position, held complete control over thousands or even millions of his fellow men, oftentimes many of whom have been his superiors, mentally, morally and physically. Then came a time when these men demanded rights of their own. Their demands seemed trivial enough and to keep his subjects from revolt many a ruler allowed them to settle questions of minor importance for themselves. But truly “Great oaks from little acorns grow,” for encouraged by these small successes, un- consciously and unnoticed by their rulers, they gradually developed greater ability, thereby showing themselves ready and capable of handling more important problems. Thus the whole system changed, so gradually that few noticed, but so decidedly that a jealous ruler, finally realizing that a change had taken place, and wishing to regain his former absolute authority, found himself facing a difficult task. In our own country it has been the same as elsewhere. History has proven that for us. The Separatists of England, having found religious freedom in America, were willing to endure great hardships rather than return to their former subjection to the church of England. The English government, having once allowed Virginia a General Assembly, found that it could not permanently take that right from her. In Massachusetts Bay colony, for a long time only stockholders in the Massachusetts Bay Company were allowed to attend General Court, the legislative body of the colony. But by the “Watertown Protest” and other remonstrances on the part of the people, all this was changed and representation given to all freeholders. Since then many equally important changes have come about, in the government of the world. In the past few centuries great progress has also been made along social and re- ligious lines. Not very many years ago people were compelled to worship after the manner prescribed by their rulers. They could not choose for themselves the church they would attend, but must obey the commands of whatever church was sanctioned by their king. Today everyone has the opportunity of making his own choice in his religion as in other things. Everyone that has read or heard anything about life in India knows that in that country the people are divided into castes, and that there is no intercourse whatever Twenty-two

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 Mira Hoadley, as Juliet, Teaching social etiquette, Poses on the stage in friendly role With Juanita. As stenog Certainly does make you jog. She assists her father selling coal. Our class President, now hark! Is none else than Lois Clark, Why ’tis so we do not stop to ask. Mathematics suits her taste, Although Latin is no waste So she says as she stays at her task. Oh! I ’most forgot myself, Not because I’m such an elf, But because my memory often fails. I've been with them through four years. With their laughter and their tears, With the class of ’20 hoisted sails. Now you have our class complete, Nine young people, bright and neat. Ready for work along so many lines. If we have not judged aright, Do not tell us so tonight. We will heed you more some other time. —L. B. Kendall. —L. M. Clark. Twenty-one

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“The Trail of Democracy” between these castes. A class distinction, something like this, only more liberal, has always been known even in our democratic country. Just as the Civil War factored so greatly in the elimination of racial castes, so the late war with Germany has been in- strumental in breaking down this other barrier to social equality. Where previously there had been only ill-feeling and bitter rivalry there is now a better sense of equality. The war seems to have opened the eyes of many people so that they can see the good points in others as well as in themselves. But after all this has not come about through war alone. What was gradually being accomplished without the intervention of the War has only been hastened by it. The real, underlying cause of this change has been the intellectual development brought about by the democratic principles taught in the schools. And in this democratic edu- cation, America has led. It was stated in the Ordinance of 1787 that “Religion, mor- ality and education being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” Then to prove that this was really meant it was provided that one section from every township in this Northwest Territory should be set aside for educational pur- poses. And as said, the public schools had to be made good enough that wealthy people would send their children to them rather than to private institutions. So they were made good enough and the wealthy people did send their children to these public schools. Thus all classes of children have been educated together in the schools of America. They have been taught the same principles, by the same teachers in the same school rooms. Why then should they not feel that they are only equal? Thus stands the situation today. Much has been accomplished, but much is yet to be done. Classmates, the future is up to us. In the past, men have handled trying situa- tions successfully. They are doing it today. In the near future, we must meet these situations. We must solve these problems, the solution of which will mean either the advance or decline of democracy. Can we take up the work and carry it through suc- cessfully? It is for that we have prepared and must continue to prepare. We must be ready to meet whatever problems may arise. Then we shall keep the ball rolling toward its goal, and the Trail of Democracy will not be interrupted. Twenty-three