Arlington High School - Indian Yearbook (Arlington, MA)

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ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION. 5 o-i :P ' ®c»-g LITERARY DEPARTMENT I-©. 1 ’ CONCILIATION WITH THE PHILIPPINES. There is much discussion at present, one may say all over the world, as to whether the United States is pursuing the correct method in dealing with the bit of humanity, which lies literally un- der our feet. I will not say what my opinions are, but will simply state a few facts which occur to me in my most mel- ancholy moods. The war, or as we are informed, the chase, over in the Philippines has been drawn out until every man, woman and child, at least in the United States, has had opportunity, and renewed opportun- ity, for deliberating this subject. I hope my classmates will pardon me if my thoughts run in a furrow formed by a noble orator of the eighteenth century, which has lately been reproduced, per- haps, on a small scale, in a spare corner of my brain. If one stops to think over this ques- tion the awfulness of the whole matter at once presents itself. Think of the young men tramping in an unknown land, re- ceived perhaps only by hunger, hardship and ambuscades, and all for what ? Some people argue that this is not the right policy. They th.ink that peace should be a worldly virtue, and advocate dealing with the Philippines in a con- ciliatory manner. Peace is of little value when it is won at the point of the bayonet, as my friend, Burke, has told me, for if the bayonet is removed war again springs up. This idea of peace is admissible to the L ' nited States, as other questions equally important have been settled without war ; and again, may not a su- perior power offer peace in perfect safety? The inhabitants of these islands are chiefly Malays in the western part, and Papuan Negroes in the east. They live mostly on the coast and lead a sea-faring life. Certainly a most ideal lot of subjects to conciliate with. Care is necessary in dealing with such an object, for is not the honor of the United States involved ? The industries of these islands have greatly increased in the jjast few years, but one may see a number of their most civilized inhabitants lounging on tbe piers as he enters any port on the coast. In the case of commerce, the carrying trade has been mostly done by other countries. However, they even export tobacco to the United States, although it is one of our chief products. They also export the famous Manila cordage, hides, rice, gums and cigars. Were we to use force in subduing them, it would only, perhaps, be temporary, un- certain, and would greatly impair the ob- ject. Then, too, the islands are so far aw ' ay that the advantage would be entirelv with them, as it takes days and even weeks for a slow transport steamer to reach the seat of action. The United States has three ways in which to deal with this outlawed world in regard to its rebellious spirit — to change it, to prosecute it as criminal, and to put up with it as necessary, but to change it is impossible, to prosecute it inexpedient : thus compliance is neces- sary. Do the inhabitants of these islands want to be governed by a nation of which they know comparatively nothing? Do they wish to be governed by a man sent over, who knows, perhaps, nothing of the wishes and needs of the people ? Certain- ly they have reason to be touched and

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4 ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL GLARION. Marc Antonie Bore liesc upon the site of Gabil in 1792. The moveinnte of the cliarming fig ' ure is full of grace and airy ease; she is just about to lay aside her chlamys, which comes just above the knees, and which is the garb usually worn by the Amazons. The treatment of the entire is very life like, but the head and lovely features of the goddess tend most to the finish and grace of the whole. Indeed the school is very fortunate to have such a statute included among its works of art. This statue is at the head of the stairway at the west end of the building, while on the wall above the stairway below is the bust of Zeus recently presented by the class of ' 02 . This magnificent bust, in the Sola rotunda of the ’atican, is supposed by some writers to be a copy of the great work of Pheidias. It belongs, no doubt, to the Roman period ; l)ut it 1 . certain that the design is not Rc with certain modifications, is al noble Greek original. It gives v clearness the characteristics of 2 settled by Pheidias. Among thes teristics are the manner in which rises straight up on the forehead, down on each side of the hea( mane : the brow clear and ope and prominently arched below ; massive beard flowing down in ric the deep set I)ut widely opened ey the refined and noble expres. mingled majesty and mildness in t so suitable to the omnipotent ru gracious father of gods and men. is the best bust Zeus handed (h Antiquity. In room 6 on the south wall h: very fine picture I)y Ruysdael, e “Landscape with Windmill.” The mill is a favorite subject of the X landish artists, and is one of the st‘, characteristics of Dutch pictures, mill at the right is nearly perfect i. tail, while at the left the stagnant flats and swamp-grass are bathed in the warm afternoon sun, which the artist so loved to portray. The whole picture is full of contentment and peace and well ty])ifies the quiet Dutch character. In room 8 is the finest landscape in the building. It is evidently an evening scene and is perhaps one of the best works of the artist-poet, Corot. It is one that we may study long and still con- tinue to discover something new to charm and delight. A huge scrambling oak, in striking outlines, rests against the evening sky, at the right of the pic- ture ; along the bank against the rich, massive foliage, with his coat flung over his shoulder, as he leads his lowing herd along the lea, the ploughman home- ward plods his w ' eary way,” while at the left of the picture “ in the pool drowse the cattle un to their knees.” I

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6 ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLARION. rieved. But you say these people are ignorant, and would it be possible to ad- mit them to the Con jress of the United States ? They evidently can put up a ood running fight, and such people gen- erally make good statesmen. Thus it would be only a few years before their minds would advance, until they would become competent. In order to bring about conciliation all acts contrary to this result should be voted down, and as far as possible ke])t from the House. But if force is con- tinued the result is easily conceived. The . mericans will l)e victorious and the Fili- pinos will hate us, and as soon as a good opportunity presents itself will rise up, and the history of England in 1775 in regard to the colonies may repeat itself. How much better it would have been for England if she had followed out Burke ' s plan. Then let us take warning and prove to the world how much better it would have been, and to ourselves how glorious it is, to have a nation subject which will greatly advance our wealth, prosperity and happiness. Arthur E. Freeman, 1901. “COMUS ’ PRODUCED BY BOYS. When the curtain lifted, an open in a wild wood w’as discovered. On either side rose leafy trees dimly outlined in the light : at the back were faint suggestions of hidden springs and grottoes. Forth from these obscure depths a graceful little spirit danced, and as it first ap- peared it seemed a being of light and beauty in its white dress spangled with gold stars. As it advanced, we saw a round, fair face with baby blue eves and golden hair that fell in little ringlets over the broad forehead. Right to the front of the stage it came and with a graceful wave of its wand be- gan to speak. What a pity it had to speak and break the sweet illusion, for it was not the silvery tone of some forest sprite which came to us, but the lusty voice of a ten-year-old school boy as he panted forth with monotonous accent his well learned verses. Ay, they were, in- deed, well learned, and emphasized at in- tervals by stiff, conscientious gestures. Hardly stopping to take breath, he hur- ried through his verses — describing the wickedness of the wily Comus, who in the assumed form of a kind shepherd wins the confidence of the weary trav- elers, and while pretending to lead them to his cottage for rest and comfort, be- trays them to his palace. Here he en- tices them to drink the wine of Circe, which takes away their human forms and changes them to beasts. The Spirit tells, also, how he himself, at Jove ' s command, descends from Heaven to stay the artful Comus in his evil purpose. Here he came to the passage where he “hears the tread of hateful steps’’ and “must be viewless now.” After announcing this important fact in a loud, excited tone, he disap- peared. When next we saw him, he was in a shepherd’s dress. On top of his yellow curls a little red cap sat jauntily and his stout little body was wrapped in a loose dress of cream color borderefl with wide bands of red. Now he informed the anxious brothers of the danger of their fair sister, who has unfortunately fallen into the hands of wicked Comus. “O poor hapless nightingale,” thought I, “how sweet thou singest, how near the deadly snare !” The words came forth in rattling haste, while his eyes fairly beamed with boyish fun and excitement. IMeanwhile the brothers stood stiffly before him, staring vacantly round, ex- cept when thev heard a “catch” word. Then they reached for their swords, brandished them bravelv before them and then with due precision and evident satis- faction. replaced their manly weapons.