Bourne High School - Canal Currents Yearbook (Bourne, MA)

Page 7 text:

EDITORIALS THE BUILDING COMMITTEE Mr. Moses C. Waterhouse, Chairman Dr. George W. Dainty Mr. William O. Eldridge Mr. John L. Gibbs Mr. James F. Peebles, Secretary We are happy to take this opportunity to say a few words in praise of the members of the Building Committee. After our high school was partially destroyed by fire on June 8, 1934, a Building Committee composed of the above members was appointed to take up the task of rebuilding the old structure and of adding to it. This new addition, including the gymnatorium, makes our school one of the finest in this section of the State. The result which represents hours, days, and even months of hard work by the Committee, without remuneration, is a source of pride to all our high school students. PEACE “Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war.” One of the most beautiful words in any language is peace. It has a connotation of happiness, prosperity, and brother- hood among men and nations. The chief avenue of peace is, of course, arbitration. While intelligent men occupy positions of prominence and import- ance in our governments, we have little to fear; but when we allow unscrupulous dictators to seize the power, anything can happen. For centuries a strong armed force has been considered the best assurance of peace. Vegetius’ “Que desiderat pacem praeparet bellum” was almost literally echoed by George Washington when he said “To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” I doubt not the wisdom and sagacity of these gentlemen, but I do doubt that such a policy is practicable in the twentieth century.

Page 6 text:

DEDICATION Doctor George W, Dainty To show our appreciation for his wise counsel and his courageous educational leadership during the past fifteen years as a member of the School Committee, and as the school physician for twelve years, we, the class of 1937, enthusi- astically dedicate our magazine to Dr. Dainty.

Page 8 text:

6 CANAL CURRENTS We are sorely beset with grafting politicians and grasping business men who would gladly let slip the dogs of war to further their own selfish interests. One of the most powerful of lobbyists, one of the most sinister workers of evil, in fact Mephistopheles himself, is the omnipresent representative of the wealthy armament manu- facturers. In the recent Disarmament Conference at Geneva, a delegate from a leading power was one of the major stock- holders of the Vickers Armstrong Corporation, which is prob- ably the greatest manufacturer of instruments of war in Europe. The time has come in which to destroy these dema- gogues and Shylocks. While they exist, the very foundation of our civilization is insecure. They must be branded by the public opinion as the murderers they are, and the populace must be educated to the futility and uselessness of war. The universal adoption of this point of view is probably the only means by which war will ever be abolished. The distinctions between defence and aggression may be so easily confused, and the possession of a strong army and navy for defence makes national honor so ridiculously sensitive, that the country which arms for the sake of making others respect its invulnerability is a constant menace to the peace of the entire world. Reciprocal disarmament will not only never be practicable while this philosophy of national self-preserva- tion is rampant, but the resulting fear complex will promote the armament race ad infinitum. I firmly believe that the possession of peace is and should be within the power of every nation. In the Great War, Hol- land, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries success- fully maintained their neutrality. They preserved their tran- quility and in no way sacrificed honor or prestige therein. Let us follow their example. Mary Colbeth, ‘37. THE VALUE OF MUSIC Music is the art of making pleasing, expressive, and in- telligible combinations of tone, according to the laws of har- mony, melody, and rhythm. There are very few people who do not have music of any kind in their daily lives. They may play an instrument, sing, or have a radio or victrola. Those who are too busy to sit down to enjoy it may work with a soft background provided by the radio. Their tasks would seem twice as tiresome and