Axton High School - Axtonian Yearbook (Axton, VA)

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situation, declared war on the Axis. France, totally unprepared, fell; but Britain held firm, supported by a great ally, Russia. The United States still preserved its nuetrality. “We did not wish to be drawn into another war,” we said. In the summer of 1941, however, when it began to look as if we might be drawn in eventually, we thought we had better prepare. Then came the day which will go down as one of the blackest days in our history — December 7, 1941, and Pearl Harbor. Twenty-seven hundred soldiers and sailors were hurled into eternity and a score of ships and planes destroyed. America, the guardian of the fundamental rights, had been attacked by the samurai aggressors. The following day President Rocsevelt, like those who preceded him, upheld all the principles of democracy by asking Congress to declare war against Japan. A few days later we also accepted Germany’s challenge. Today everyone in America is fighting in some way for the ultimate victory that will be curs. When we attain this victory, we will try to make sure that this time aggressiveness is abolished. The mistakes of the past must not be repeated. The brave men who so willingly gave their lives for democracy surely have not died in vain because, as America marches on, our voices repeat these words to our honored dead. “Fear not that ye have died for naught; The torch you threw to us we caught. Ten million hands will hold it high, And freedom’s light shall never die, We’ve learned the lessen that you taught In yonder field.” Yes, the fires of dictatorship and aggression will soon go out; but democracy, the living flame, will burn on, inspired by the youth of today, the citizens of tomorrow! ELIZABETH RUMLEY, Salutatorian.

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DEMOCRACY; A LIVING FLAME We, the senior class of 1944, salute you. Here we are at last graduates. Our dream of four long years has been realized and the time of our departure from Axton High School is at hand. This will truly be commencement for all of us because tomorrow we enter another world. We enter a world of war — sufiering, d5dng and glory. Upon our young shoulders more than ever will fall the task of winning this, war and establishing a better world in which all nations are free and independent. We will play the most important part in this because these are the principles upon which our nation was founded. In the history of no other country has democracy played a more brilliant part. May I review for you a portion of this history: The United States was settled by people of not one but many nations, people who sought refuge from tyrannical rule, people who sought freedom. They found this freedom in America. When, after a short time, their rights were challenged, they fought; and because they were fighting for a just cause, they won. The Revolution marked the end of all tyrannical rule in America. Democracy prevailed. In the years that followed, America grew and prospered. The United States became renowned among the nations of the world. We stood out as a nation whose government was different from that of others. We grew to be a powerful nation whose rights were respected. Europe was constantly thrown into a tumult of war and conflict, but on this side of the world, everything was peaceful. Manufacturing developed and) with it both interstate and foreign commerce. Our products were sold all over the world and the profits reaped were ‘great. Then in 1914 clouds darkened the peaceful horizon. In Europe a dictator arose, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany. His aim was to rule the world and he presumably set out to do so. At first we paid no attention to this. It was merely another war in Europe, we thought; but this time we were wrong. England and France, the principal nations fighting against Germany, were good markets for our products. Germany, realizing this aid, began to sink our vessels bound for English and French ports. No chance was given for the crews of these ships to be saved; all were lost! America awakened and, realizing her menace, gave Germany warning that our neutrality and rights must be respected, that no more American lives must be taken. This warning went unheeded. The ruthless and inhuman treatment went on. We knew then that there was no alternative. We must fight to keep the flame of democracy, glowing! In his war message to Congress, April 2, 1917, President Wilson spoke these words to be echoed by millions cf American citizens, “The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty ' . . . . We shall fight for the things nearest our hearts — for democracy, for the rights of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own government, and for the rights and liberties of small nations ” With Wilson’s words ringing in its ears, the nation went to war. Armies were raised; munitions manufactured; and soon American doughboys went overseas to fight. During the hard bitter campaigns that followed they did not falter, though many lost their lives. In less than two years Germany was defeated and peace was signed. Democracy had been preserved! After the war the United States resumed its old mode of luxurious living. Dis- armament followed, but peace reigned only for a short time. On the calm eastern horizon a dark spectre of absolute government appeared. Once more, after so much had been sacrificed to make the world safe for democracy, the forces of aggression began to arise. Japan, who had been trying to extend her territory for some time, occupied Manchuria. That was in 1931 and the fire that was kindled on the shores cf Asia was lighted anew in the beer halls of Munich, where an Austrian paper hanger abandoned his name of Shickelgruber and became known as Adolph Hitler, the leader of the blood-thirsty Nazis. In 1933 Hitler and his Third Reich overthrew the German Republic and established themselves as rulers. The flame of aggression and total war burned brighter. Benito Mussolini in Italy tried to extend his power by the conquest of Ethiopia and Albania. All this time the rest of the world was asleep. The United States failed to notice the dark shadow over Europe and Asia that was soon to cast its gloom over us. Events moved rapidly. In 1938 Hitler started his march by taking Austria and soon six more helpless countries had fallen. Japan, Italy, and Germany banded themselves together and became known as the Axis Powers. Finally, in the spring of 1939, Great Britian and France awoke and realizing the seriousness of the

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PLANNING FOR WORLD PEACE “Where there is no vision the people perish. ’ These words taken from the scrip- tures have a special meaning today. While this world conflict rages, we must begin to look ahead and make peace plans so well that no dictator or military group can rise to plunge us into the destruction and sorrows of war. Our Allies think and speak of this need, for the citizens in the democracies have the right and must assume the responsibility of making plans for their liberty in the future. We know that the day the Axis powers lay down their arms in defeat, unless the victors can set up a workable peace plan, we will engage in another world war. Many people know there is no ‘coasting to victory”, as President Roosevelt put it. They also realize there is no quick and easy rovte to world peace. No American would want to live in such a militaristic world as the Axis would set up. If we don’t want to live in a world like that, where we must always be- armed for defense and be denied the privilege of planning our government or our lives; then we must accept our responsibility of helping plan and work out a satisfactory scheme for world peace. The effects of war will be felt by every nation on the globe, even by those who remain neutral or never know a battle on their territory. Almost all had done so by 1942, if only because of a scarcity of imported goods and the interruption of their normal export trade. The relief of human misery is the first problem the United Nations will have to face. Temporary relief m-jst follow the victorious armies of the United Nations wherever they are, so that this aid may help t ' ne people to help themselves and to pre- pare the way for peace. There will be people tc be fed and clothed, the sick and the disabled to be cared fcr, and many to be transported back to their native homes. At least enough temporary shelters must be found for these homeless people so that they can begin the task of rebuilding their war-tern ctur.trics. What can we do to build a post-war world in v hich everyone can enjoy “the four freedoms” freedom of speech, freedom o ' ; vership, freedom from fear, and freedom from want? Our government wants us all to begin discussing peace plans and making up our minds about them. If we are still uninformed when armistice day comes, we are likely to get the kind of peace settlement that will bring about World War III in another generation. In one generation we have had two world w ' ar-. We must find some plan whereby future wars may be prevented. If you are a member of a church, you will feel a special concern and responsibility for helping to apply religious principles in a practical Vv ay tc make a better world after this war is over. A significant statement on post-war problems was issued in 1943 by the Interna- tional Round Table Conference of Christian leaders from fourteen nations. The con- ference urged the people cf all nations to study and accept the principles contained in the program of the “Six Pillars of Peace.” The first pillar is political collaboration between the United Nations and, ultimately, all nations. Many people say, “Rather than shop around for some new and untried international system, why not use the League of Nations as a basis for building world order to maintain peace?” The League idea they speak of is a voluntary union of nations working together to solve common problems. Representatives of the nations who are m.erabers meet for a conference at some central place, discuss international problems and decide upon