Natick High School - Sassamon Yearbook (Natick, MA)

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lo 'VHESASSANION took an attitude of isolation, that is, Let happen what may over there, as long as our country basks in prosperity. Therefore this nation failed to capitalize on that golden opportunity. Thus without our cooperation it was practically impossible for the League of Nations to function. Peace fell by the wayside, and finally a quater of a century later, we find ourselves engaged in the greatest war which mankind has ever known. XVe are reaping the hitter fruit of our own folly and our lack of vision. Great is the price to be paid by United Nations for blunders of yesteryear. However, despite the tragic events of the past, a second chance awaits us. It is the same opportunity which beckoned to us years ago. This time, the knowledge gained through our errors, will enable us to build a sound peace. After the conclusion of hostilities, we face an inevitable period of social and economic chaos which stands in the path of peace. Likewise, there confronts us the gigantic task of relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation, throughout the war torn world. lt is following this work that the terms of a just, an honest and a durable peace may begin to function. This peace must mean a better standard of living for the common man, not only in the United Nations, but as well in Germany, Italy and japan. lr must mean the establishment of international trade and international eco- nomic relations, on 31 joint basis of treatment and benefit. The principles of the At- lantic Charter, mainly establishing freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear everywhere on this globe, should be guaranteed. The treaty, as was the case after the last war, must be built on the fundamental doc- trine of peoples' rights. The task will not be an easy one, for it will tax to the utmost the collective will, intelligence and courage of all the allies. Unity must be our watchword. Yes, there is a long road to traverse but we may take comfort from a passage of the Bible quoted by our Vice-President: On the side of the people is the Lord. He Giveth power to the faintg to them that have no might, He increaseth strength . . .H They that wait upon the Lord shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint. Strong in the strength of the Lord, we who fight in the peoples' cause will not stop until that cause is won. Ll.-XROLD ORRIN Roses

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THE SASSAKION 15 ADDRESS OF WELCOME GRADUATION PARENTS, 'IQEACHERS AND FRIENDS: Today we of the Class of 1943 are gathered together as a unit for the last time. Soon we shall each go our separate way. Formal education for most of us will have to wait while we are in the service of our country. To you our parents, our teachers and our friends we wish to express our appreciation for your patience, your kindness and your generosity. XVe hope we may make you proud of us and that wherever we may go or whatever we may do we will prove to you that we of the Class of 1943 have profited hy your leadership and are hetter citizens of a great democracy hecause of your direction. H EN RY Aoosri N ELLI FAREWELL ESSAY XVORLD PEACE . IC, the people of the United Nations, are today engaged in a struggle for our very existence. lt is only natural therefore, for us to he earnestly engrossed in our task. However, we should also look into the future, for someday, out of this titanic struggle, will emerge a new world. The responsibility of the future is placed squarely on our shoulders and on the shoulders of thousands like us. It will he for this younger generation to create a lasting peace. Let us now consider, however, what has been the history of peace efforts and what we may hope to contrihute now. Some twenty years ago, at the conclusion of the first Vvorld Wfar, an opportunity presented itself to the United States: an opportunity to aid the other victorious nations in estahlishing a peace which would insure the peoples of the world against further conflict. But we had no idea of how to huild an enduring world-wide peace. VVe did not have the courage to follow through and prevent Germany from, rearming. There was no real whole-heartedness in our peace efforts. As time progressed, we

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THE SASSAMGN 17 AWAKENED AMERICA HE bombs that fell at Pearl Harbor transformed America from a placid, peace- loving nation to one seething for vengeance. Before this fatal day, war seemed far removed from our land. The depression years were behind us and the discussions of the day dealt with the Lease Lend Bill and just how much aid we should send to the battered, bleeding countries who cried out for help, and looked hopefully toward us. America, safely surrounded by the boundless oceans, supplied by endless re- sources, fortified by its millions of trained workers, suddenly was shocked from its complacency to find that instead of having an abundance it was sadly lacking in the materials of war. Yankee ingenuity, and the pioneer spirit once more came to life. So that it might be preseved for a later day, the American way of life had to be changed. America, the arsenal of democracy, was willing to endure a form of dictatorship so that it might more quickly rid herself of the unspeakable horror of war. Ahead were demands for labor that could never be entirely satishedg men and more men to recruit and train. The words unnecessary and impossible had to be burned away. The industrial leaders proved no task too great to ask of them or their workers. The last ounce of surplus must be used, if need be, to do the things our enemies cannot match. Home, school, church, public and private institutions, management and labor. professional and non-professional organizations contributed their efforts with a will. Never will we be able to obliterate from our minds and hearts the memory of the wrongs perpetrated on those lands, continually harassed and attacked, to satiate the unsurpassing greed of the enemy. The plundered and ravaged islands of the Pacific have harvested a bumper crop of burning wrath in the hearts of Americans which even final victory will never quenchl No price is too high to pay for freedom! Like the Americans of old, we mutually pledged to each other, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor to preserve the liberty bequeathed to us. A portion of Lincoln's renowned address seems particularly apt today. Now we are engaged in a great war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so con- ceived and so dedicated can long endure. From all America assenting voices ring loud and clear!