Plainfield High School - Milestone Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

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THE ORACLE 9 SAEU PATORY ESSAY PAP PROPEE IpisAbAH AT eA PEACE CONFERENCE, BY ROSE SIEGAL. About three thousand years ago, the Prophet Isaiah had predicted that a time would come when there would not be any war among the people of the land. He said, “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning knives; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, and they shall not learn any more war.” However, as matters appear now, his word has not vet been fulfilled. But who knows what will happen after the Hague Conference, which is to meet in June? Perhaps then Isaiah’s. prophecy will come true and all strife on this great, wild world will end. One day a number of men met at the Czar’s palace in St. Petersburg to discuss the Hague Conference and Isaiah, the originator of the problem of peace, resolved to come there to hear what they would say regarding the question which had been so dear to him three thousand years ago. He took with him an angel, who understood all languages and all secrets. They both stole into the apartment, took their places somewhere in the air, and prepared to hear what would happen. In the large, spacious chamber, where the delegation met, hundreds of electric lights were burning and winking joyfully at each other. A sea of light, mingling with the halo surrounding the angel, poured down upon the people present. Isaiah closed his eyes. “Too bright, too bright,” he murmured. “God knows whether the hearts of all these men are not filled with darkness and guilt.” At that moment a burst of applause resounded through the chamber. “What are they doing?” Isaiah asked the angel. “They are paying honor to this man (pointing to the Czar) who sits at the head of the table. He is the man whose father brought together the first Hague Conference and who tried so hard to establish a good consti- tution for his country. This man, too, is working for a Hague Conference, but he himself is the first to bring about war, and in his own land people are condemned to death without trial, blood is shed wantonly, and riots and revolts prevai l. He does not listen to the voice of his own heart, but to those who with fluttering words and smiling speeches steal away his own views of justice, and deceive him, in order that they may the more easily gain their desires.”

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8 THE ORAGEE Mr. Travell, you especially have helped us, both as a class and as individuals. Everything you have done for us has been done for our good, and what you have denied us (even if it were dancing after the Senior Play) we now believe was for the best. Throughout our high school course we have found in you a faithful friend and a most helpful adviser. It is impossible for us to express how sincere and heartfelt is the gratitude which we feel toward you. Mr. Speaker of the evening, in the name of the class of 1907 I wish to welcome you and to say that we greatly appreciate your presence with us on this occasion, when we are saying farewell to our school life; we shall highly value whatever helpful thoughts you may have to give us, as we stand at this “parting of the ways.” To you, the citizens of Plainfield, to. whom we are first of all in- debted, we wish to say a few words of gratitude for your liberality toward our schools. Especially helpful has been your interest in the high school and your hearty co-operation with our teachers. In all cases of discipline or difference of opinion the monarchy at home has upheld the dignitaries at school, and we are the better for it. In the years to come, we will strive not to destroy vour confidence in us. We hope that we shall have courage and patience and strength to live up to your hopes for us and to be worthy of them.

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te) a Eh ORACLE Isaiah’s face took on a bitter expression. “Oh, ambition, evil am- bition,’ he moaned, ‘what dost thou not force mortal hearts to do!” Just then some one began to speak. ‘Who is he?” Isaiah asked. “He is a very rich man, who has mines of money,” the angel replied. “How did he get it?” asked the prophet. “By fair means and foul. First he dealt with iron and other manu- factures. Then he watered his stock in order to deceive the multitude and to benefit himself.” “T do not understand why the people should allow this,” muttered Isaiah. “The people themselves do not understand and so are deceived,” con- tinued the angel. “But there are a number of wise men who can obtain money by means of watered stock, and this man is simply one of the wisest among them.” “But what has he to do with peace?” “He has nothing else to do. Money flows to him from every side. He is also very anxious to satisfy the voice of. his conscience and desirous of homage and he obtains it by preaching the gospel of peace.” At these words a cloud appeared on the forehead of the great prophet and an expression of sadness stole into his eyes. “Who is that?” he asked again, as a third man began to speak. “That is an ambassador sent by a great ruler.” “What is he saying?” “He is praising his master, the Kaiser of Germany, and declaring that he is the only man who can establish peace on earth. The Kaiser himself is continually boasting of having won great glory in war, although he is not a great warrior. The ambassador says that peace would be a good thing, if it could only be brought about.” Heavier and heavier grew the cloud on the forehead of Isaiah. “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity,” his lips murmured. “And what does that man say?” he asked, pointing to a tall military- looking man, who had just risen. “He is a general and praises the life of a soldier. He claims that a camp is the best school in which to learn love for one’s native land. It strengthens the body and the heart, he says. Moreov er, he cries that his nation is the finest, and his king the best.” “And who are those men, with the rows of raedaticd: and orders on their breasts?” Isaiah now asked his companion.