Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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The Branksome Slogan 21 Canada was guarded during her infancy by a watchful and tolerant mother, who punished her for her mistakes and rewarded with praise. The greate ' st reward came in 1931, when in the Statute of Westminster, England gave to Canada her complete autonomy. Thus a troublesome child had grown into a wise and trusted adult, inheriting all the best quantities of her renowned mother and at the same time developing fine, new traits. Canada stands like a hopeful, confident youth, trusting in the future, anxious to obtain the best of what the world has to offer. Will my country, glorious in her youth, be denied her rightful place in the world, or will that world be dominated by those who give no op- portunities to ambitious young nations? I believe there is reasonable hope for the future of Camada, if Canadians stand together. ' ' If there must be sorrow and trouble, let it be in my day, that my children may live in peace and iprosperity. Those words spoken so long ago by Lin- coln, to-day echo the prayer of all Canadians for the future of Canada. Lincoln, the great Emancipator, defined humanity ' s greatest dream, democracy, in his famous words, ' ' Government by the people for the people, of the people . We, in the Western Hemisphere, have created democracy in its truest form and have raised it from a dream to ireality. We, the people, must keep the light burning brightly. We must sacrifice all in order that everything we hold dear, Shall not perish from the earth . Our democracy is not perfect! Canada is not ideal! We must realize that our fight for the British Empire is a glorious crusade to defend humamity, Christianity, and decency and that Canada despite her faults is worth dedicating our lives to. What does Canada mean to me? I love the beautiful scenery, the climate, and the great industries and vast resources, but the thing I cherish most is my freedom. Freedom of speech, thought and religion, fair government, they are what matter most. Canada, to me, means all that is fine and decent, and in this darkened world, a promise of light for the future. BETTY DUNCAN (Form IV L). Rehearsal for the Gym Review

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20 The Branksome Slogan What Canada Means to Me Deep in the heart of every man glows a livid flame of patriotism. In some people it bursts forth like a fiery tempest, and they make violent speeches, inspired by a frenzied devotion to their country. But is a fanatic a true patriot? I do not think so! The majority of people, the masses who constitute the population of a country, conceal this love of homeland amid lesser emotions. The mere man is modest! He does not often give vent tO ' his patriotic thoughts ; they are perhaps too pre- cious to bare to the scornful eyes of the world. However this feeliing is there, profound and intense. Deprive a man of his money or his family of friends and he is not destitute, but banish a man, from his country, take away his honour and self-respect, and bar him from roam- ing the hills he loved, or wandering through a cherished garden, and he is lost, forsaken forever. A man without a country is a tragedy that time cannot heal, because the mind is filled with rooms, stored with memories of forbidden lands, beloved scenes of childhood. The memory remains dormant for awhile, but then a familiar strain of music or a certaiin quotation awakens longing thoughts of home and the exile knows no peace. I am thankful that I have a country to call my own, and that I know not the miseries of exile. I know instead the privileges of a citizen livinig in a free nation. In this present-day world of tyranny and oppresion, how sacred those privileges seem, how all-important they are. Canada and her fellow democracies to-day are waging a frightful battle against those countries which uphold tyranny, oppresr- sion and violence, and I am proud of her. Yes, I am proud that my country chose to defend all that is right and decent, rather than bow to the powerful forces of evil, although the odds weighed heavily against her. She is courageous indeed! Yet, more than courage lies behind her firm stand. Canada has derived much from the traditiorns of the mother-country, England. We Canadians are the direct descendants of steady, fearless Englishmen, sturdy, robust Scotsmen and hardy Irish- men, and we are resolutely determined to defend our cherished demo- cracy, for which we have fought so many wars. God willing, we will maintain it until the end of time. I am proud also of the history of Canada. Since the days when the French first set foot on Canadian soil, the pages of our history books reveal stirring tales and deeds of g allant men and women, who together built the foundation of our country. Were they not the real patriots? Indeed they were ! They struggled against untold hardships and trying circumstances, but they fought on, never faltering, never turning back.

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22 The Branksome Slogan STORM The wind drives up from the North sweeping the dust and wind high in a scurry of whirlwind ; The sun sinks dull and ned into fly- ing bands of cloud ; The sea pounds on the rocks fling- ing the sipray on the pebbles, Dragging them back to itself, sing- ing the coming of the storm. The fisherman drags his boat to a higher place on the beach ; The housewife closes the shutters against the rain. The briigantiine cleaves the waves with the surf streaming behind her. And only a single jib to pull her safely home. The sturdy cargo-ship draws away from the port ; The last signals given she puts her bow to the storm; The screw spins in the air as the sea breaks over the head- lights, Blinding the man at the wheel, who holds her true to her course. The sea gathers its strength and crashes on wall and highway, Washing fonndations out, till buildings dissolve into sand. Force immieasurable. Force of wind and ocean, Is there any force so mighty, so full of awei and dread? Yet the ship sails on through the gale. Turns not from its destination. Driven through the hazard toy a greater force. Immeasurable, Unconquerable, The Spirit of Man. BRENDA CRUIKSHAINK (Form IV L). LITTLE COLT Little colt, open your eyes. Look at the big world around; The hot sun which streams in rays. And the green grass o ' er the ground. Little colt, arise and walk. Wouldn ' t you like to gambol? Gather up those legs, which seem So long and hard to handle. Little colt, do not sleep. You can play as well as we, Come and play and run with us, Chase the haughty bumble-bee. Little colt, be not sad. Give thanks for Hf e in the land The good God has given you. To live in, and to love.