Alton High School - Tatler Yearbook (Alton, IL)

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“THE TATLE R.’ ’ 11 2. Honesty.—The world needs open, frank, straight-forward, upright, just men—men that are sincere to the core, incapable of fraud, trickery, treachery and insincerity in trade or politics—men of high principles, who will ‘ not betray a trust. Integrity of character lies at the foundation of all true nobility of life. These may seem small things in the school, and hardly worth noticing, but remember that “the boy is father to the man”—the boy that acts the lie in a recitation will act one on the judge’s bench or in the senator's chair. The dishonest scholar makes the dishonest merchant, clerk, lawyer or statesman. In this age when such sentiments as, Do your neighbor or you will be done by him” are uttered in a tone that is not all jest, we are nearing the danger line in this regard. 3. Self-reliance.—This element naturally grows out of the preceding two. The boy who learns to rely upon his own exertions has learned a more important lesson than if he had found a grammar machine that would convert all his uncouth sentences into elegant English. Nothing can take the place of self-reliance in life’s earnest struggles. Without it we have parasites instead of men, idlers who rely upon luck instead of pluck to win them fortunes. If society could only rid itself of its parasites, it would rid itself of pest-houses, jails and the expense of police force. 4. Self-control.—It matters little how great is a man’s power of endurance, how perfect his honesty, or how complete his self-reliance, if he fails to keep his powers under control he is a weak and helpless being. The Greeks held self-control to be the highest of human virtues. It was trained into them from childhood. They gained it in their numberless games and sports as well as at the feet of their great teachers. There is no virtue more sadly wanting in our American life than this. “We are a race of immoderate, intemperate, inordinate men and women.” We need to learn that our highest enjoyment and greatest usefulness depend not upon quantity, but quality. The self-disciplined man is the ruler of his world. He that has mastered his own powers has taken the longest step toward the mastering of others. It is a high honor to stand at the head of one’s class, but it is not the highest honor if attained at the expense of one’s body. I have seen wrecks that I pity and yet admire. They have graduated at the heads of their classes, but at the end of healthful, vigorous lives. I am not attempting to discount scholarship. but 1 would discourage one-sided development. Cicero said that an intemperate youth hands over to old age a worn out and useless body. Nothing is more true.

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IO “TH E TATLER.” man, which is only a fragment of a true man. A man can make a much better living out of truth, justice, energy and perseverance than he can out of geometry, chemistry or Latin. These reflections are introductory to the proposition that the elements of good morals arc more essential in the struggle of life than the elements of language, mathematics, science or philosophy. It is better to know justice than rhetoric, to know virtue than science, to know truth than philosophy. There is no doubt as to the importance of all of these studies, nor can it be denied that they in themselves do encourage the virtues. Other things being equal, a man or woman of learning is much more likely to be successful than an unlearned one, but mere learning does not constitute a sufficient equipment for life. Let me call attention, therefore, to some of the important and necessary elements of education which I think can and should be mastered by High School students. i. Manliness.—There is no acquirement of an intellectual character that can take its place. T use the word here in its dictionary sense—the possession of courage, dignity, bravery and true heroism. A man with his head full of mathematics might, in these days of competitive examinations get a Government or banking-house position, but without true manliness an honorable success is impossible. Our boys need more courage, not bravado n r braggadocio, but a spirit of valor, intrepidity and dauntless will. They need an energy that defies opposition and surmounts difficulties. The basis of this development is physical manhood. I contend, therefore, that the High School should encourage such sports as arc calculated to develop physical courage. Let the boys learn on the playground to give and take in a manly spirit. Let them court the hardships of preparation for a contest without whining about it. I venture to say that the boys of A. H. S. who go into their sports to win honorably and who take the leadership in their contests, have a better chance to win in the battle of life than the poor little cowards who thrust their hands into their pockets and shiver on the side line. This element of manhood should not be neglected. Give me an Enos who knows how to win anywhere,—give me a set of boys who have developed the skill that wins in foot ball, basket hall or on the field, or one who can thrash a bully when it is necessary, and I will vouch for their success. A manly boy is very apt to become a manly man—one who will push himself to the front in spite of disadvantages. i

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“THE TATLEK.” I 2 5. Unselfishness.—The other elements mentioned belong to the individual. This trait pertains to the individual as a member of society and the State. Unselfishness prepares for citizenship and society . The unselfish man is sympathetic and right minded. Selfishness shows itself in egotism, envy, jealousy, vanity and inordinate greed. It may show itself in a thousand ways—it claims the best seat, it demands the most attention, it craves prominence, it grasps for artificial honors and sometimes breaks out in violent form. In my judgment, there is no place in the world where this lesson can be so successfully mastered as in the school. Finally, the school is a little world where all the energies of soul, mind and body are actively developing trait of character. From this little school world the pupil enters the big real world where lie curses or blesses society and his country, J. E. Turner. T a fiords me great pleasure to have an opportunity to send greetings to my former pupils and fellow-, teachers, and congratulations to the teachers and pupils who have just completed their first year in the Alton High School. The High School has passed through another successful year. This I know, because I have received every assurance of it throughout the year from both teachers and pupils. 1 am reminded every day of what I have given up when I see familiar faces on Second Street going t and from school. 1 here is a great deal of satisfaction, however, in the daily contact with many of the graduates win are engaged in different vocations in Alton and St. Louis. This reminds me that in a few years the High Schoo students of today will be conducting the business of the city, the state, and the nation, M greatest desire is tha f you who have the opportunity to attend school and graduate, may not fail to do so. I feel especially interested in the class of '07. because we entered the High School in the same year. May all oftl you be successful in your undertakings. Very sincerelv yours, tl Rout. I.. Bird. 03-07. h J