Natick High School - Sassamon Yearbook (Natick, MA)

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18 THE SASSAMON twofold. ln the tirst place, a greater amount would have been repaid, for when cash was demanded it was inevitable that the debtor countries could soon be forced to default in payment. Secondly, American business could have been stimulated by the new markets created by the increased purchasing power in the debtor nations. This is only one instance, but a review of American policy will show that we consistently have failed to adopt the policy requisite for the most powerful nation on earth. The varied and fruitless efforts of the entire world to solve twentieth century problems have culminated in the most extensive and devastating war mankind has ever known. Our fighting soldiers, spread over the entire globe, are making the greatest possible sacrifice to crush the forces which have risen to oppose democracy. And yet, with the cessation of hostilities, an even greater battle will remain to he won. For at the close of the war democracy will be at a crisis. We must prove that the democracy for which many of our men have given their lives is truly the best way of life. We must prove that democracy is not an outmoded form but that it is elastic, and that it can meet twentieth century needs more efficiently than can any other way of life. The very fact that we as Americans are now engaged in world conflict is suffi- cient proof that the interests of Americans cannot be separated from the interests of the rest of the world. We shall find that the only way to secure a lasting solu- tion to the problems confronting .American democracy will be to solve also these problems for the other nations of the world. The democracies established in Europe after the last world war met with these problems much more forcibly than did America or England for their resources and standards were much lower. When it was realized that these Democracies could not cope with twentieth century life and provide an adequate standard of living the people of these countries sought a new system. Man will always sell his birthright for a mess of pottage when he is faced with starvation. If America had aided those democracies and through trade had prevented that starvation the dictators who threaten America to-day might never have arisen. We have just seen how poor economic conditions in a foreign country can lead to war. Moreover, the economic interdependence of the entire world has been proved. One of Americas major industries the automobile industry, is dependent upon imported rubber. Thus it is to our interest to promote world trade and the economic betterment of the world. Yet, to-day many .Americans will shudder when it is suggested that our lowered war-time standard of living be continued for a few years in order to establish the devastated and backward countries of the world. in order to prevent the arising in the future of the opposing forces which we fight to-day. These Americans have been willing to diminish greatly their living standards when war threatened. But they fail to realize that they may be directly responsible for more and even greater bloodshed if, after the threat of war fades. they return to the processes which led to the present confiict. If a sense of moral responsibility does not inspire the aiding and advantagement of other peoples. a true vision of American self interest should. We have seen how American business could have benefited from a revised debt payment policy after the last war. It has been proved repeatedly that the highest standards of living have always been attained when world trade was at a maximum. For

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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

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THE SASSAMON 19 as each backward country advances, increased purchasing power means an increased market for American business. Will Americans deny the records and refuse to learn from past failure in order to bask in prosperity for a few short years? Such a policy would sooner or later result in a standstill or retrogression of civilization. This is a new and entirely different era. Twentieth century maladies will not be cured with nineteenth century remedies. .After the last war although political units were to a great extent revised in social and in economic fields the status quo was largely presented. It should have been evident that return to 'fthings as they were would inevitably lead to a conflict for these same conditions had already terminated in a world war. The strength of the American system and democracy is about to be tested. Can they solve the problems of the twentieth century? I believe that through world Cooperation they can. There is a well known law of nature which governs all science and which is applicable to life. That law is a statement of the fact that output equals input that no more can be attained from any project than that which is put into it. In a democracy for each privilege acquired there is a corresponding responsibility. To-day when democracy is at a crisis these responsibilities are greater than ever before. American citizens are responsible for leadership, for a democracy depends upon its leader. Each citizen is responsible for participation in government and must have an unprejudiced interest in public welfare. These problems of the twentieth century are his problems. He must aid in solving them. The Youth of today is the builder of tomorrow. If youth accepts the respon- sibilities of democracy then and only then will the American way of life be pre- served. JEAN HULEATT