Conneaut High School - Tattler Yearbook (Conneaut, OH)

Page 9 text:

THE FACULTY Louise E. Kahler, Principal, German. Carolyn Reed, English. Ruth Burrington, English. Clara Leet, History. Charlotte Pelton, Latin. J. E. Helman, Mathematics. V. R. Henry, Mathematics. F. D. Palmer, Science.

Page 11 text:

SALUTATORY “LEST WE FORGET.” Nations are historic organizations. Dower and duty have been assigned to each, not to make them competitors, but rather co-operators. The consciousness of nationality blinds to the fact that they are but joint means to an end, and that end. the service of one humanity. From the mighty dynasties that arose in the world’s young years, to the modern republics of the west, all have contributed to the mosaic of civilization. Each nation has added its especial contribution. One hundred years ago, as today, the influence of America was greater, proportionately to its population and wealth, than that of any nation in the world. The New Evangel— the Declaration of Independence—had thrilled the lovers of liberty throughout the world: and the names of Washington, Franklin, Jefferson and Adams were on the lips of millions. The example of the United States lighted the fires of freedom in France; and the revolution, which then swept away an age—long despotism was followed by the overturning of thrones throughout Western Europe, and the sowing of the new seed—thoughts of the larger life in tons of millions of hearts. Men looked beyond the excesses of the French Revolution—which were but the natural reaction from centuries of crushing injustice and brutal selfishness—to gaze in admiration upon the serene and majestic requblic over the sea, embodying new and radical theories of freedom and human rights, and moving forward under the exalted ideals which had become the ruling influence of her national life. Here was our own country, a nation builded on freedom, bulwarked by justice, and guided by conscience. Wherever throughout the world of oppression, injustice and despotism weighed heavily on a people, the weary eyes turned lovingly to the land of Liberty. With no great army or navy, with no strong defense save the invincible bulwark of a United people’s loyal love, our Republic was, in reality, the greatest world power in Christendom. And our history since that time has been one unparalleled prosperity, but a prosperity which is in itself an indication of the tendency of the time, the peculiar characteristic of the age. Born of the prevailing idea of material progress, the spirit of commercial advantage now has possession of the mass and body of the Americans. Commercialism is the colossal genius of this material epoch, which incarnates the thot that might is right, which gives license to wealth and doom to poverty ; and which is making the twentieth century a century of markets, monopolies and over towering individual fortunes. Paramount in American life, the principal of commercialism is reacting upon the character and integrity of the nation. The distinction between right and wrong bos given way to the subtler one between legal and illegal. In this reign of gold too often does the hand of the plutocrat throttle free speech ; too often does party dictatorship muzzle thepress; 7