Elston High School - Elstonian Yearbook (Michigan City, IN)

Page 25 text:

three other cities observed), from statistics which include only first-hand, or very reliable second-hand evidence, there are thirteen young men, all from good families and respected by their fellow students, who are habitual drinkers of intoxicating liquors, and what is worse, who frequent saloons. This is not a condition peculiar to Michigan City only; it is a common condition, but one usually unknown because older people are not in a position to obtain this information. These are merely examples of what is going on among our boys. The natural query is “Why does this condition exist?” By the careful use of statistics and a cautious analysis of information, gained by much questioning and independent investigation, we positively believe it goes back to our original contention—these boys cannot face the accusation by their companions that they are “not game ’ that they are “mama babies”, “mollycoddles”, and the like. The whole situation comes about in this manner. One young man becomes acquainted, or usually has been acquainted from boyhood, with a group of boys, who, because of environment and inclination are, in common parlance, termed “fast”. With the mistaken notion that smoking, gambling, and drinking are manly qualities, they fall into these habits and are proud of the fact that they are called “tough”. They are not to be condemned entirely, for they have not been trained dif- frequcntly. But the high school boy, who has been taught the correct conception of manhood, and who, because of the taunts of this sort of “gang”, becomes like them, should be severely blamed. He, in turn, “shows off” his new accomplishments to his school friends, and by his ridicule, leads others into evil habits. And the remedy? There is no teacher in the world who can do more than tell his students in what manhood consists. He can also give advice; but on matters of this sort, a boy considers his affairs purely personal and dislikes to divulge them. However, he wants his chums’ respect and is willing to do anything to gain it. The only being on earth who can make a boy into a real man, one worthy of the name, is the boy himself. This is the solution of the problem. It is our sincere hope that these lines may cause some young man to think upon this subject; and. if he has the stuff in him, let him talk the matter over with himself, and. unless he has a “yellow streak”, let him break away from what he doesn’t want and do as his own better sense tells him. “When the fight begins within himself, A man’s worth something!” E. DAVID LILIENTHAL, Editor-in-Chief. We have been assisted by innumerable friends in the production of this book, and to all of these kind co-workers we extend our gratitude; and especially do we wish to thank Edward Dankert, our artist: our board of critics, Mr. M. C. Murray and the Misses Vail, Mathews and Fickel; Mr. L. Lilienthal for his services in painting advertisement cards, and Mr. E. Ward for work on the Sophomore Roll drawing. THE STAFF. 21