Southold High School - Snuffbox Yearbook (Southold, NY)

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THE SNUFF BOX As their contribution toward better citizenship, a group of newspapers, including The New York Times, sponsor and finance annually the National Oratorical Contest on the Constitution. Contestants are at liberty to choose their own topics on any phase of the Constitution. A preliminary Research Prize of ten dollars is offered for the best written oration. The prize was awarded to Leonic Stacy for her essay entitled, The Constitution—To Form a More Perfect Union,” which we are publishing herewith. THE CONSTITUTION: “TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION” It was the farseeing Benjamin Franklin who, in 1754, when advocating his plan of union for better intercolonial relations, said, United we stand, divided we fall.” This simple phrase sounds the very keynote of the new intellectual and moral change that characterizes American history during the second half of the eighteenth century. The colonists were, at that time, no longer adverse, but on the contrary, quite willing to consider their relations to each other. However, this noble theory of unity among the colonies was first prompted by a common dread—a terrorizing fear of the French and 16

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THE SNUFF BOX held a very interesting discussion of problems vital to youth and to their mothers and fathers. At each of these meetings a prize was given to the grade having the highest percentage of mothers represented. Our banquet in May is always counted on by three groups of people—mothers, daughters and teachers. It is always inspiring, but this year it seemed to be an unusually glorious occasion. More than ever we have cherished an ideal this year, and in striving to reach it, we have learned the fine art of cooperation. Our usual Springtime Operetta, given by the grade children, and for the benefit of our Parent-Teacher Association, was presented in May. A very large audience showed its great appreciation of the efforts of the children, under the very efficient guidance of our musical directress, Miss Louise Metz. It was a never-to-be-forgotten affair. We are very proud of our achievements this year. We are deeply grateful to our teachers who have helped so willingly and so capably in so many ways. We arc sincerely appreciative of the interest of the mothers in making our organization one of mutual benefit to three great groups—our parents, our teachers, and our children. We must go forward; there is much to do. It is a challenge to all of us who realize what real cooperation means. There is no task too overwhelming if consecrated parents and conscientious teachers work together in building the characters of our citizens of the future. If you have a child in school, you should be vitally interested in the Parent-Teacher Association. We need you. Accept the challenge; come and join us next year. It is a wonderful privilege. Come, help us to make next year one never to be forgotten in inspiration to parents and teachers and children. Someone has said: Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully.” Let us love doing a great work in the Parent-Teacher Association. For It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for it that makes our lives worth while.” MARIAN F. OVERTON Miss Whalen— If the President, Vice President and all the members of the Cabinet were killed in a train accident, who would take charge?” Mary Furey— The undertaker.” Miss Whalen— Nothing could daunt the spirit of those patriotic Americans who staged the famous Boston Tea Party in the midst of winter, with temperatures far below freezing.” George Worth— That’s probably when iced tea was invented.” 15

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THE SNUFF BOX Indians who made savage attacks upon the little seaboard dependencies. But when France’s colonial empire in North America fell, dragging in its wake the diminution of the red man’s power, the desire for union abated. The colonies were combined in 1765, nevertheless, to protest against the oppressive stamp tax, and such strength had their opposition that Parliament was forced to abandon that way of gaining revenue. Again in 1772, Massachusetts, under the leadership of Samuel Adams, made an important step toward concerted action. All towns in this colony had appointed committees of correspondence for the express purpose of apprising each other of chief events, foreign and local. At the instigation of Virginia, this system was extended to all the colonies, and was helpful in feeding the flame of liberty and also effective in diffusing the doctrine of resistance. During the months which followed, the agitation grew to such immense proportions that when the English monarch, George III, scorned the colonists’ Olive Branch” petition and hired Hessian troops to coerce them, the bond of loyalty, which, up to this time, had been deemed indestructible, was torn asunder. In a fever of excitement, and heedless of the grave consequences which might arise, a movement was made in Congress to declare independency of England. Thomas Jefferson penned the document which still arouses admiration and enthusiasm for its eloquence and democratic principles. This declaration did not induce all the colonists to lay down their allegiance to England and fight for liberty. The question has often, and rightly, been asked, During the Revolution were the States one nation or thirteen?” Indeed no colonist thought the Declaration of Independence binding, but regarded it simply as a joint resolution in order, to use the phrase Franklin coined, that they might all hang together.” Consequently, the first great peril to the colonies lay, not in England’s overwhelming numbers, but in American disunion. One-third of the population was of the Tory element, and what was worse, a good many people sold their produce to the British army for a handsome sum while Washington’s brave men were suffering from starvation, and lack of sufficient clothing. Still others, prompted by selfish and wicked motives, refused to contribute their share of the taxes for the support of the Continental Army unless the war was threatening their own colony. Lack of organization in the army exposed the common soldier to cruel privations, for he was improperly clothed and armed. Is there small wonder, then, that recruits were not forthcoming and that desertions frequently occurred? The only signs of union during the very distressing years were the First and Second Continental Congresses which assembled at Philadelphia in 1774 and 1775, respectively. The Second Continental Congress acted in the capacity of a governmental body until a new one was formed. A national government was inaugurated in 1781 under John Dickinson’s articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. Each colony, 17