Joplin High School - Joplimo Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

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THE ADAPTABLE CONSTITUTION I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. On March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt took this oath of office. The American people designated him their chief executive, the man who must guide the Ship of State through the storms of financial distress and difficulties, with only the Constitution of the United States as his chart. The destiny of the American people lies within his hands. A few years ago a student of international affairs declared that the nine- teenth century had belonged to England but that the twentieth century was undeniably the glorious age for America. Is America ready to seize this glory prophesied for her? Today, almost a year after the inauguration of a new president, we examine the state of affairs. Are we doing our part toward making this prophecy possible? Are we coming through the storm? When Roosevelt entered office, the problems that confrontedthim were of monumental importance. It is with these problems that President Roosevelt is so courageously battling. Each calls for a specinc remedy. The problem of unemployment can only be remedied by increased investments of new capital in durable goods. The things people eat and wear are such goods. Through the allotment of public funds the laboring man is put in the position to buy. When he can buy, a demand is created, and the long chains of allied industries necessary to satisfy his needs are set in motion. Thus our second difficulty is partially eliminated. The agricultural disadvantage can only be relieved through an advance in the price of that product-but this advance will also help to relieve the burden of debt. The stabilization of national currencies can come about only through its stabilization in respect to a standard so that they can become stable to each other. At present, gold seems to be that stand- ard. To each of these problems the president is giving his best attention. To solve the problem of unemployment we have the National Recovery Act with its codes for each industry, With employed men will come a demand and a consequent rise in prices, hence increased participation of capital. Ultimately the farmer will be benefited. We are in the process today of developing a stabilized currency which will contribute to a world-wide restoration of credit. It is for one of these problems that I plead with you-that of a general lack of confidence on the part of capital in enterprise. Do I need to sing the glories of America? Do I need to point to our country's flag to remind you of its prediction? Are we, you and I, going to fail in its confidence that America does not surrender? Are we going to remain idle in a time when every person should come to the aid of his country? In order to set that Ship of State back in its proper course we must have the co-operation and confidence of every citizen. As citizens of these United States it is our undying duty to protect and defend those sacred rights as set forth in the Constitution, that it may become an impregnable fortress between the individual and the chaos of uncertainty. Tw:-my-one

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Lights in all the rooms. The voices were in Jimmy's room. The room seemed full of people. Dorothy was near the door. She turned and saw him. With a strangled cry, she stumbled toward him. ' 'Pat-Pat I' ' He caught her in his arms. Why, Dolly dear, what's the matter? She was weeping wildly. What is it? Even before she answered, the terrible knowledge began to creep into his brain. He stared over her shoulder at the faces of the strangers.. He stared past them to the little, white, cold face on the pillow. T Our Jimmy, she sobbed brokenly. Some cowardly driver hit him and ran away. -Jimmy Knight, '3 6. First place in short story contest. I LIGHTS I watch them, Those flickering lights Of the distant town-hazy Thru the smothering fog. I press my face Against the car window Reluctant to pass them on, For they seem to try so hard, Those feeble lights, To send a cheering gleam Abroad-out thru the darkness Of the night-but thick mists Fall and envelope them- And as we move on They only waver, Flicker for a moment, Then are gone. -Genevieve Duran, '3 4. First place in poetry contest. Twenty

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When a country is getting in control of so many of these monumental disturbances, it is only natural that we be inclined to give the credit to the leader of that countryg accordingly, we hear on every hand the praise of Presi- dent Roosevelt. I do not mean to detract one bit from that praise-he is doing a conscientious piece of work, and is truly the man of the hour, but should all the credit go to one man? ls it not logical to assume that a man able to accomplish so much in so short a time receives power from some source? That source is the Constitution of the United States. Many years ago John Marshall said, There are provisions made in this Constitution intended to endure for ages to come, and consequently to be adapt- able to every crisis. Consider the grave periods in the history of the United States through which we have passed triumphantly. The panic of 1837 was almost as severe in its day as the one from which we are just recovering. Finan- cial difficulties were present in 1873 and in 1907. We have survived a civil warg we have settled difficulties with foreign nations to their satisfaction and ours. We have emerged from the great World War with a fair share of credit. Today we stand at the threshold of a new day-and why? Because we have been governed in principles of justice and equality as set forth in a constitution sufficiently steady to prevent our being swept away on a hundred intellectual and patriotic fads of particular moments and time. The man who says Roosevelt is becoming a dictator does not realize that he is exercising no power which is not given him by the fundamental law of the land. Perhaps we are doing some things which a few years ago might have been considered radical, but do you observe that we are doing these things in an orderly way? We may be gaining an entirely new conception of govern- ment, but we are gaining that conception without bloodshed and revolt. Today is a day for understanding, patience, and co-operation. Today. therefore, is a day in which it behooves every one of us to make some effort to understand this government of ours and to appreciate the problems to be solved. We are attempting at the present time to relieve our country from financial distress, but we must remember that the present crisis did not come upon us in a day and it will not be solved in another day. Yes, the American people must have patience. Let our creed be to consecrate our energy, experi- ence. and resources in a faithful endeavor to serve our country with a spirit that will always prove worthy of the respect and confidence of our Constitution. Furthermore, as Americans, we owe to our country our utmost co-opera- tion to the end that we render her the tithes of the most efficient and loyal citizenship conceivable. Our Constitution, the morning star of that liberty which subsequently revolutionized America, can only be looked upon by true Americans with unblemished patriotism. To this end I appeal to you. Give to your President the loyal support which he deserves as your representative in a time of trial and stress. Give to your country and its constitution the loyalty of that citizeniship which it gives to you. Then America can not fail to reach the.. glory that is her due. ' -Norman Sharp. '34. First place in oration contest. -I 00' an N 1 0 Twcnly-Iwo