Weymouth High School - Campus / Reflector Yearbook (Weymouth, MA)

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conditions cultural development and destruction would not have gone hand in hand. The twentieth century has wrought a tremendous change in the world. Governments have changed, educational opportunities have been enlargedg medi- cine and surgery have gone ahead by leaps and bounds, and science has revolu- tionized man's life. Yet all around us, in this age of advanced civilization, wars are being waged. It is the old story of ancient times-the survival of the fittest. Will man continue to destroy man and to undo his great wroksP That is the problem which faces us to-day. The seriousness of the problem was stressed by Herbert Hoover in a recent speech when he said, The tools of industry as well as warfare will destroy this civilization unless they be guided by men of high character. What should be our answer to this twentieth century challenge? Let us answer it in the words of the same statesman: Out of this technology and power over nature we must build stability and security for the common man, or fail. We must stiffen those elements of character and wisdom that will make these forces beneficial and not destructive. It is in education, morals, and character of men where our hopes must rest. This is the task which lies ahead of usg this is our life. SG if '55 SCX 'ized' 55' K 16

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killed to obtain it. One day he discovered hre, and with it the key to unlock the door to civilization. The next chapter in man's story takes us to the banks of the Nile. Man had settled in Egypt because the land was fertile and food could be obtained without wandering. Here, amid scenes of peace and contentment, the F.gyptian laid the foundation of future civilization. Three thousand years befortt the French engineer, DeLesseps, had completed the present Suez Canal, the Egyptians con- structed tl1e hrst Suez Canal. The Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Hall of Karnak bear testimoney to his great architectural achievements. Writings, art, medicine, science, engineering, government, all these he developed and left to us. But Egyptian civilization declined. First, it was the harsh treatment of the slaves and the degradation of the poorer class that caused unrest. Next, it was the invasion of the Shepherd Kings, to defeat whom the Egyptians developed men that were trained in the art of war. XVith these men at her disposal, Egypt became a conquering nation because the ruling class would not apply scientihc intelligence to a moral code that would guide the destinies of the government in peace and contentment. In the sixth century B.C. Egypt fell into the hands of the Persians, and her progress stopped. The next chapter of man's life is taken from the history of Rome. Rome's rise to power was largely the result of intelligence used in handling its citizens. She gave them a system of laws whereby they were treated justly. She recognized the need of a healthy people, so aqueducts were built to carry a pure water supply to Rome, games were instituted to develop the beaches, and public baths were introduced to insure cleanliness. To all the advantages received from such an administration, man countered with greater works, splendid roads which are in evidence to-day, remarkable buildings, and unrivalled works of sculpture. With all this it seems thai man should have been contented. However, greed seized the leaders of the country: and the army, which had been used to put down revolts, was used to expand Rome' power. While such expansion brought with it an enriched civilization it had many evil results. lndividuals grew more wealthy, class distinctions became prominent: wealth became the standard by which lil'e's success was measured: the just admin- istration of laws disappeared. These injustices were reflected in Roman life. Heavy taxation, needed to support the growing army, drove out the middle class, and the added wealth weakened the character of the Romans in power. What was the lesult? Barbaria- tendencies made their appearance. Gladiatorial contests were staged for their benefit. Christians were fed to the beasts, or forced to kill each other to satisfy their whims and fancies. Thus we see that man's moral and emotional develop- ment had not kept pace with his scientihc progress, and, not withstanding its outward splendor, Rome was perishing from within. She fell before a barbarian invador A.D. 476. Man and his world did not recover from the shock of the fall of Rome for centuries. During the Renaissance he began to patch together fragrants of his former greatness. Guilds began to flourish, and with them came social legislation. At the same time, however, Europe was torn by a series of wars. Under sane 15

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