Natick High School - Sassamon Yearbook (Natick, MA)

Page 18 text:

lo 'l' H li S A S S A M ON .Xlthough we are far removed from the battlefronts, the ideals that many of our classmates are even now fighting for. and that many more of us will soon be fight- ing for, offer an inspiration for all to keep in mind during their daily lives. Selhsh interests. racial prejudices and other weaknesses in American life must be studied with open, clear and intelligent minds in order that they may be removed, and our Democracy may better approach a state of true Democratic idealism. This can be greatly aided by our educational system and may well serve as a world-wide example. As students of Natick High, we have learned to recognize that many of these prejudices are ill-founded, and the fact that people must not be judged as a group race or nation, but only as individuals. ln America it has long been realized that the public schools are the founda- tion of our country's greatness and the cradle of our intellectual freedom. Perhaps we have not been duly appreciative of our intellectual liberties, but certainly we shall realize in later life the importance that they have had in building character and in teaching us the importance of our citizenship. In the post-war world there will be numerous changes in our economic and social lives. Along with these we shall undoubtedly have changes in our educational system. As informed and intelligent citizens it will be our duty to insure better educational facilities for our country and for the whole world, for it is said educa- tion is the most powerful single weapon against greed, crime, hate and prejudice, which are the prime factors causing such upheaval and chaos as we are now expe- riencing in this world. It has been the tendency in more recent years to overemphasize scientific study, but in the future we must also recognize cultural values. It has been said that unless professional accomplishment is a natural product of the people's cul- ture it inevitably becomes a lifeless academism. And academism is bad regardless of whether it is labeled classicism or modernism Here again, knowledge proves itself one of the greatest elements in life which lead to the highest success. Finally. in farewell to our Alma Mater, we earnestly express our deep appre- ciation and sincere gratitude to the townspeople, schoolboard, superintendent, prin- cipals, and faculty of the Natick Public Schools with whom we have come in contact for their patient understanding, kindly cooperation and invaluable guidance during these, the formative years of our lives. And though deriving great joy from the fact that this is the commencement of a new phase in our lives, it is also with a feeling of deep regret that we bid a fond farewell to those honored and respected perceptors who have labored so nobly to guide our lives during these years. ROBERT GARBUTT

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THE SASSAMON 15 WELCOME-GRADUATION AS WE of the Class of 1944 gather together for the last time before we begin our separate journeys, we realize like Americans everywhere that we have much to thankful for. Many of our number are already serving in the armed forces. Many more will soon be wearing uniforms proudly. Those of us who may not be fortunate enough to serve in the armed forces because we are too young, or because of some other reason, will serve our country to the best of our ability in whatever field we may find ourselves. May we make you proud of us! The youth of America is ready to serve. EDWARD CLASBY FAREWELL ADDRESS JAMID a world of chaos and uncertainty such as we are facing at present it is harder than ever for one to go forward with confidence, high ideals and hopes of a better social and economic world to follow. Each previous graduating class has believed that its problems were the greatest, but at this period in history it must be realized that on the shoulders of our generation these hopes for world trust and cooperation will rest more heavily. We have long realized that nowhere in the world has there been such great opportunity for young people to receive an education as in America, an education which is planned to help each make a living and to maintain and better his standard of living. The background which we have received at Natick High School will help us to realize and appreciate the better things of life whether we further our educa- tion in college or enter the business world. Our educational background has also prepared us to combat the uncertainty that awaits us. We are greatly indebted to our American educational system for providing us with the knowledge to meet and solve these problems with courage and optimism. It is only with an informed and literate people that our democratic way of life may function and improve. Thus, we firmly believe that each succeeding class should have even better opportunities and advantages than we have received at our Alma Mater, in order that they also may have a feeling of preparedness for the time when they shall enter into full citizenship in our great nation.

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THE SASSAMON 17 THE AMERICAN CRISIS WHEN the twentieth century dawned on America, an entirely new era was ushered in. American industrial life was revolutionized. The common worker, instead of having the satisfaction of completing a product, now made only a cog or a screw for the new machines. Mass production and big business moved in, crushing the small private enterprise worth monopolistic advantages. The policy of Ulaissez faire which had proved adequate for the nineteenth century now meant capitalistic ex- ploitation of labor instead of individual freedom. Labor organized and fiery leaders fought to protect the working man. The consumer protested against the high prices caused by monopolies. Urged by incessant pressure groups, our government sought to solve the new economic problems confronting it. Government regulation of industry was increasingly extended and a policy of protection brought the highest tariffs in American history. In retaliation, the other countries of the world adopted a similar policy, and the result was the worst and most wide-spread depression the world had ever known. Since the depression a more lenient policy of trade reciprocity has been established, coupled with greater government control of in- dustry. Yet, numerous difficulties have continued to rise. Some factions argue that the solution of this problem lies in return to the outmoded policy of laissez faire, and high protective tariffs. Others contend that greater government control is needed or that tariff should be levied for revenue purposes only. It is, therefore, evident that although over forty years have passed in this new century, American democracy has not adjusted itself sufficiently to the changes wrought by the In- dustrial Revolution. Twentieth century Americans are living in a world which the airplane and radio have made profoundly smaller than the thirteen American colonies at the time of the Articles of Confederation. Yet, many continue to think of Europe and Asia in terms of remoteness. Yet, throughout the 20's and even to-day when a bomber can cross the Atlantic in eight hours, statesmen cherished and continue to cherish a policy of isolationism which was possible in the nineteenth century when the two oceans were ramparts of protection. Americans have not yet decided how democracy is to be adjusted to this new world of nearness. Since the industrial revolution America has been rising steadily in power. American resources are to-day the most extensive in the world and American production is leading the world. Although, after the first World War, United States emerged as a creditor nation, many Americans failed to realize this fact and a policy appropriate only for a debtor nation was pursued. The wealth of the world was centered in America. Yet she called for payment in cash of the war debts owed her by the other countries. There is an old proverb, familiar to most American, which states that you can't eat your cake and have it too. Yet this is what America proceeded to do. Had Americans accepted payment of debts in goods and in services, as befitted a creditor nation, the benefits would have been