Axton High School - Axtonian Yearbook (Axton, VA)

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THE AXTONIAN other countries. In his recent welcome of the U. N. 0. to the United States, Secre- tary of State Byrnes said, “There can be no home for the United Nations unless the United Nations remain united.” But united we must not forget to put our trust in higher power. Paul Antonia, the mechanic who made the new steel ballot box for the U. N. O. startled the counsel with his vote left in it, “May God be with every member of the U. N. 0.!” Scientists who secretly perfected the atomic energy worked together. The atomic bomb is here to stay, but are we? “To be or not to be, that is the questiion” as Hamlet said in Shakespeare’s famous play. Soon all nations will know the secret of atomic ener- gy. The bomb alone is harmless, but in the hands of a nation not friendly toward oth- ers, it could destroy the world. The United States wants to turn this miraculous power into energy for the welfare, not the destruction, of mankind. By so doing, it can be made a decisive influence for peace. Through the U. N. 0. all must be brought to this same purpose. Only through teamwork can we achieve this goal. There must be com- plete understanding and fellowship with the rest of the world. What Abraham Lincoln once said for this nation now applies well to every nation of the world : “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan; to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among our- selves and with all nations.” MABEL EARLES. Salutatorian A LITTLE FUN IN AXTON HIGH Miss Norvell (at P.T.A.) : I’m glad to see such a dense crowd here tonight. Voice (from the back) : Don’t get too pleased. We aren’t all dense. Coleman: You mean you took your girl out and only spent two dollars on her. Marvin: Well, that was all she had. Miss Lumsden: Every day we breathe oxygen. What do we breathe at night, George? George: Night-rogen. Arthur: This food isn’t fit for a pig to eat. Cafeteria lady: Then don’t eat it, sir. Jack: Can you take a joke? Virginia: Oh, Jack. Please don’t propose. Tom Barker: Do you know the difference be- tween taxis and trolleys? Katherine Moss: No. Tom: Good — then we’ll take a trolley Billy: Since I met you I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I can’t drink. Doris Elliott: Why not? Billy: I’m broke. Mrs. O. W. Hairfield: If a number of cattle is called a herd and a number of sheep is called a flock, what would you call a number of camels? Suzanne: A carton. Gerald: Does the moon affect the tide? Mary: No, only the untied. Don’t worry if your grades are small, and your rewards are few. Remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you. Mae Ashby: I seldom think of my audience when I’m singing. Margie Grant: But you ought to have some consideration for them, Mae. Miss Clark: You know you shouldn’t laugh in the classroom. Arthur: I know, Miss Clark. I was only smil- ing and the smile burst. Mr. Jones: I’m ashamed of you, my son. When George Washington was your age, he was a su«- cessful surveyor with a reputation for industry. Melvin : When he was your age, father, he was president. Miss Norvell : Mack, what are your favorite flowers.? Mack : Chrysanthemums. Miss Norvell: Spell chrysanthemums. Mack: I’ve changed my mind, Miss Norvell, roses are my favorite. Officer (to Miss Clarke for driving under a red light) : Please appear in court Monday. Miss Clarke: But (Officer, I teach school and cannot appear in court on Monday. Officer: So you’re a school teacher! Sit down and write “I must not drive under red lights” five hundred times. Page Twenty-one

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THE AXTONIAN Teamwork W E, the seniors, are happy because we are the first class for five years who have felt the glory of peace in our country. The noise of battle no longer dins our ears. Our nation should be happy because of this. A prayer of thankful- ness should go out from every soul. America should be ready in every way to present a united front to advance peace in our land as we have teamed to- gether for war. But even as I make these remarks, Kipling’s Recessio7ial arises in my thoughts. I hear resounding in my ears those memorable words ; “Let God of Host be with us yet. Lest we forget; lest we forget!’’ And I ask myself : are we not forgetting as the “tumult and shouting” over victory dies? Already we hear of prejudices, which were laid aside during war, being picked up again. Strikes have spread abroad ; inter-group hatred exists ; a fight for higher prices is being pushed. Such things slow up teamwork and kill the democratic spirit. They must go ! If 600 scientists working together could produce the atomic bomb, why cannot we have the same teamwork by as many scientists to destroy this greed, these rivalries and jealousies, which are undermining peace on our home front? While specialists work on the great struggles going on in our nation, cannot we peo- ple here tonight through our radios, movies, churches, schools and civic organizations be doing much to eliminate the factors that destroy our peace? We can get the peo- ple of the community to team together for our mutual good in constructive work. We must continue our economy of the war period! We must contribute to the development of enlightened citizenship which will be ready for the needs of today and tomorrow! Unselfish cooperation is on the tongues of statesmen, industrialists, educators and churchmen. Cooperative work could prevent another crash such as that in 1932. Team- work is the key that will unlock the doors that keep the people of the world apart. The nations of the world, if mutually joined together, can cope with any conflicts that may arise. Benjamin Franklin said, “United we stand, divided we fall.” This statement holds true for the world today. This brings to my mind McCarthy’s poem, which symbolizes our land: “This is the land where hate should die; No feuds of faith — no spleen of race, No darkly brooding fear should try Beneath our flag to find a place. Lo ! every people here has sent Its sons to answer freedom’s call ; Their lifeblood is the strong cement That builds and binds our nation’s wall.” What could be a better example of teamwork than that of the recent war? It was won by those who worked together for the good of the whole. World affairs may be compared to a football game. One person cannot win the game; through cooperation of all and the perfect coordination of limbs is the victory won. Had Germany known that the world would ally itself against her, she would never have allowed Hitler to go as far as he did in 1935 when he marched into the Rhineland. But, on the other hand, if the nations of the world had united to tell Hitler “No!” then, he would have been forced to retreat in 1935 — not in 1945. But they did not! The U. N. 0. now has a membership of 51 nations — 78. 6U of the more than two bil- lion people of the world now belong to the United Nations. The hoped-for operation of a world wide collective security alliance is about to be realized. Such an organiza- tion allied against a would-be aggressor will make that aggressor pause. This international relationship must not be severed but preserved. Through cooper- ation and God’s gudiance, we can remain on friendly terms and trade peaceably with Page Twenty

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THE AXTONIAN Patrick Henry OT very far from Axton High School stands a monument in memory of a man who is an inspiration to any one of the 1946 graduates. That monument is in honor of Patrick Henry, who lived in the midst of our Henry County fore- fathers for about four years . Our local D.A.R. organization placed this monu- ment there because the first governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, at the age of 44, wished to withdraw from public life at end of his third term and live in this county which perpetuates his name. We naturally are interested in the life of a man so distinguished, who left his imprint and name on Henry County. Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County, Virginia, May 29, 1736, son of John Henry of Scotch ancestry, a man of affairs in Hanover County. Pat- rick Henry’s mother was of Welsh descent, from whom it is said he inherited his gift of oratory. As a boy, Patrick was sent to a common English school until he was ten. Then he was tutored by his father until he was fifteen. He was taught the ancient languages, mathematics, and was well versed in both ancient and modern history. He enjoyed lazi- ness and the company of hunters and fishermen. He loved music and played both the flute and fiddle. His free-going life developed the fiercely independent spirit which he inherited from his Scotch ancestors. Henry began work in Hanover County as a storekeeper, in which he was a financial failure, but he laid the basis of knowledge of men, which later made him a success. He married Sarah Shelton when he was only 18. His parents gave the young couple a small farm and a few slaves, but the young farmer, without markets for his farm products, found himself again in adverse circumstances. After the loss of his home by fire, he sold his farm to pay his debts. For six years he tried various employment, but he did not find his work. When all other experiments failed, he decided to study law. His method of studying law was by reading. During a short period, some say six weeks, others six months, he read “Coke on Littlejohn”, in order to have the knowledge of land law. He secured a license to practice law but not because of his knowledge of law, which was scant, but because he was an “in- fallible born lawyer”. He leaped into fame when he argued and won the Parsons’ Case which involved the principle of taxation without representation. It is said that the fiery words he spoke in this case were the sparks that started the American Revolution. Patrick Henry’s father was a member of the court before which Patrick Henry ap- peared. When the son arose to speak, the father hung his head in shame because his son was so awkward. But before Patrick Henry finished his speech, tears of pride and joy rolled down the cheeks of the father ! After this celebrated Parsons’ Case, Henry became well-known as a leading lawyer of colonial days. In a speech to the House of Burgesses in 1765 in which he introduced resolutions on the Stamp Act that the British were imposing on the colonies, he uttered,, “Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George the Third ...” “Treason, trea- son !” was shouted through the assembly room. The orator glanced at the angry and ex- cited burgesses and continued. “George the Third may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it!” The resolutions were passed. Henry was opposed to all the acts that Great Britain imposed on the American citi- zens because the colonists were not represented in Parliament. He became a pov er in America. At the First Continental Congress, he made the open- ing speech in which he said, “I am not a Virginian, but an American.” In March, 1775, the Virginia Assembly met in Richmond at St. John’s Church. In his speech to the assembly, Patrick Henry gave the American nation its cry for freedom when he said, “Is life so dear or peace so swee t as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it. Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” He was a member of the Second Continental Congress which met in May, 1775, at Philadelphia. This year his wife died and Martha, wife of Col. John Fontaine took charge of her father’s home, “Scotchtown”, in Hanover County. Page Twenty-two