Canastota High School - Toot Yearbook (Canastota, NY)

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10 THE TOOT Clay was a member of the great triumvirate made up of Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun and himself. By his stand in regard to the Missouri compromise, he won the title of the “great pacificator . His sympathies went out to all in trouble even to those of other lands; although several times a candidate for the presidency, he never attained that goal. Lin- coln in an eulcgy at the funeral of Henry Clay said of that great states- man: “His example teaches us that one can scarcely be so poor but that if he will, he can acquire sufficient education to get through the world respectably”. Daniel Webster, the “great expounder of the constitution,” was a statesman but shone more brilliantly fcr America as an orator. He was a cwer in the lar.d, a defender of the nationality of states and firmly de- voted to the peipetuity and integrity of the Union. The third statesman of the triumvirate, John C. Calhoun, whose title ot the “great nullifier” is evidence cf his ardent championship of states rights, was a supporter of the policy of internal improvements and dreamed cf national roads and waterways which would unite the different sections more closely. Internal improvements, the abolishment of imprisonment for debt, the advancement of education and the beginning of foreign immigration were events which took place during William H. Seward’s career as statesman. Perhaps one of the most important and best known incidents of Seward’s service was the purchase of Alaska from Russia, for which he was largely responsible. On his tomb, the epitaph, He was Faithful” shows in what great respect he was held by his former countrymen. Now we have come to him whom Lowell calls “the first American”— humanity’s statesman—Abraham Lincoln. Unskilled in the art of state- craft, he accomplished tasks which other famous statesmen had not dared dream of undertaking. He was the guid'ng star of the nation during its darkest period of the Civil War. The whole country laid its burden on his shoulders. Patient yet wise, sympathetic yet just, humble yet great, Abraham Lincoln lived, worked and died for America. America is indebted to James G. Blaine for originating the Pan-Ameri- can Congress which is bringing all Americans into common touch with each other and which has cemented the relations of the republics of the New World. The twenty-second and twenty-fourth President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, did not possess conspicuous qualities as a statesman but won the trust and admiration cf the people by his simplicity and firmness and devotion to what, in his opinion, were the best interests of the country. One of his own sayings, better than any other words, illus- trate Mr. Cleveland’s democratic sentiments. “Public officers are the servants and agents of the people to execute laws which the people have made and within the limits of a constitution which they have established.” We now come to one of the most inspiring of Americans—-Theodore Roosevelt. To him the pecple looked for leadership when the future ap- peared most threatening, knowing that he would always invest his mighty

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THE TOOT The thrashing machine combines the thrasher, winnowing machine and stackes. The most recent type was invented by Curtis C. Baldwin. Hay rakes and loaders are also machines which have saved time and labor in comparison with older methods of raking and loading by hand. Such has been the progress in this art, that the labor of producing a bushel of wheat has been reduced from a little over three hours to about ten minutes, ard from a cost of eighteen to four cents a bushel. This great savirg of time and labor has made America the greatest agricultural nation. It has been one of the most important factors in the development of the West, and has increased our commerce and exports to a great ex- tent. America, today is not only feeding herself but is practically feed- ing Europe. The old world is calling upon the new to supply it with food- stuffs until the devastated portions are again able to produce crops and, thanks to the American farmer with his modern machinery, America can respond to the call. MILDRED I. WILLIAMS. FOUR AMERICAN STATESMEN “Statesman yet friend to truth of soul sincere In action faithful and in honor clear. Who broke no promise, served no private end. Who gained no title and who lost no friend.” True statesmanship is founded net on cunning, artifice or selfish princi- ples, but on the ideals of great men and for the purpose of serving hu- manity. It stands for all that is honorable and just; all that is faithful and true; in short, Statesmanship is Right prevailing over Wrong, Justice over Injustice. It seeks to preserve rather than annihilate and to advance rath- er than retard. America—“America the Hope of the World” has de- velcped the standards of her statesmanship on the immortal doctrine of Abraham Lincoln—“that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that the government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall not perish from the earth”. Let us see how a few of America’s statesmen measure up to these regulations. Benjamin Franklin, successful in many varied careers, whose genius, the pressing need of his country revealed to its full proportions, was the first great American statesman. He defended the principle, very unusual among the colonists, that local disputes should be set aside for the public good. As soon as the thirteen colonies had formed themselves into the United States of America, George Washington became renowned as a statesman. He was an influential leader, the soul of honor, not hasty in his decision but always careful and judicious. A believer in a strong government and strictly enforced laws, George Washington is remembered by every American as the father of his country . America had a hard struggle for existance and England made it more difficult by her impositions until finally President Madison, urged by Henry Clay, waged a strong fight in defense of the smaller nation’s honor.

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THE TOOT 11 energy on the side of Justice. His assistance in the Panama revolution helped create that great canal and his measures in regard to the Russo- Japanese war wen for him the Nobel peace prize. That he was most bit- terly hated by his enemies and most deeply loved by his friends is suf- ficient to demonstrate the estimate and worth of Theodore Roosevelt as a true American statesman. As governor of the Philippines, William Howard Taft exercised his ability as a statesman, and played a large part in the successful advance- ment of those islands. President Taft followed the course begun by his predecessors and because of his stand on the Payne-Aldrich Tariff, dissat- isfied Republicans formed what is now known as the Progressive Party. Again we come upon a statesman who was a great president at a critical time, Woodrow Wilscn. A man of peace, he was forced to lead the na- tion into the most terrible war that the world has ever known. He en- tered the White House, a vigorous man in the prime of life to leave it feeble and broken in health. But Woodrow Wilscn has not wasted his strength and years; he has placed America in the leadership of the world. In the future, proud and grateful countrymen will recognize the service he has rendered humanity and will rank his name with those of Washing- ton and Lincoln. Probably no American is so well krewn ever all the world as Herbert C. H oover. Devoted to the welfare of mankind, he is a man of practical organizing power on a large scale. Pcsscssrd of vast information and experience, he is a man who has acquired the confidence of nations and people. In fact, the statesmanship cf Mr. Hcover has just begun; time alone can prove to how great an extent it will develop. Closely linked to the name of Mr. Hoover is that of Charles Evans Hughes. Though not so well known as the former, he has been of great service to his country both as a lawyer and an investigator. Because Mr. Hughes exercises his own will in regard to political matters, party ma- chines steer clear of him and regard him as a very troublesome hindrance. As Secretary of State, Mr. Hughes has an excellent opportunity to exer- cise his abilities as a statesman. Elihu Root, conspicuous for the disinterested service, which, regard- less of the effect upon himself, he has rendered to his country, has an in- ternational reputation; and will, no doubt, take a leading part now, as he has always done in the negotiations of foreign policies. These incidents in the lives of American statesmen might be enumer- ated indefinitely. Each generation, every session of the United States Senate, every political administration develops “a man of the hour”. We may be certain that the achievements of these statesmen were the re- sult of their own individual labors and perseverance rather than fortunate circumstances. American statesmanship is and will forever be working against but one thing—that is injustice. It is and will forever be working for but one pur- pose—that is humanity. In the words of John Quincy Adams.