Conneaut High School - Tattler Yearbook (Conneaut, OH)

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Dalebictorv IS TYRANNY SUCCESS? Shall the belligerent cry of “Might is Right’ ring paramount in this age of freedom, progress and enlightenment? Despotism and tyranny have met their doom. Hut. alas, these subtle barbaric elements are unconsciously characteristic of the age. Prevalent in politics, in the industrial world and among individuals, reacting not only upon the character and integrity ot the people hut upon their ideals and standards Since the gray dawn of history, the desire for power and glory has led man, the child of ambition, to tyrannize over his weaker fellowman. Flagrant were the deeds of primitive man ; bloody and ghastly his wars for the maintenance of mastery. At first, the mightiest were the rulers. Then the rulers began teaching monarchy as an idea, passing the mastery to their descendants. while the ignorant, unthinking multitude finally accepted their teachings and the hereditary rulcrship as being by divine right. This brutal attainment of mastery to the uncivilized primitive mind embodied success. Hut shall we of the twentieth century, who pride ourselves on justice, human rights and freedom, exemplify the barbaric customs of our primitive ancestors and set up “tyranny —an emblem of injustice—as the standard of success? To our shame we must acknowledge that we arc doing it. The rude, ruthless hand of the irresponsible tyrant still sways the sceptre of greed and avarice. Tyranny is predominant, though democracy the rule. Often in the fierce struggle for existence, the weak are “crowded to the wall” by tin selfish, ambitious tyrant, who by ignoble ami tyrannical means has gained ascendency; often men who have no other object in lile than the mere acquisition of money arc forced to trample the weaker down in order to upbuild their own fortunes; often the more powerful combine to extort money from the weaker. And we of the twentieth century entitle it “success.” W Imt is the attitude of America? It has been declared that the higher life of tin American people “has been drugged with a spirit of mercenary materialism' and that political self seeking and unlimited corporate grcc l have become a national religion. Is it true then that the American people are worshiping false standards of success? Peculiarly' characteristic of the age is the “worship of the dollar; ’ Gold is the American idol. To this source may he traced the degradations and corruptions of the age. Yet there is a tendency to set the dollar as the standard of success. While stern necessity makes

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 litions; and in France and Germany, where there is a great desire to progress still further. Behold, even the Empire of China, tliat once most exclusive country on the other side of th, world, is attempting to adjust her recent educational pro grain to her ancient customs. Doubtless in time she will succeed. . No movement along these lines is of more importance than the increasing interest in moral education. The two distinguishing features of this movement have been one convention and several publications. These are merely a means for a more extensive growth in this branch. Industrial Education holds no minor place. Boys and girls are destined to become men 1 anil women of usefulness. Every individual was intended for something worth while, and this line of education will help to bring this into effect. Education is truly spreading her wings for distant flights in order to accomplish great ends. Surely if this recent gain in culture is to produce such far reaching effects, what will he the progress a century hence! The prospect is fair indeed. The brilliant sun of culture, .just rising above the horizon, will rapidly make its way through the many dark clouds of ignorance until ultimately it will reach its zenith of educational development HELEN F. HFXT.

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it tlx immediate aim of tIn average man, tin amassed fortunes of the modern money pirates and of the predatory ttnan-eiers are eyed with suspicion. The people are beginning to consider these self-seeking captains of industry, these masterful manipulators as tyrants. It is tyranny to rob the people of the prime necessities of life by exaeting enormous prices; it is tyranny to monopolize such articles for individual protit; it is a crime against humanity and will some day be recognized as such. What is the alternative? The people feebly struggle for their rights through their representatives in Congress, but the despoilers ef the trusts manage to control them. Deeply rooted are the noxious weeds of graft and corruption. The lure of gold is overpowering; it is a menace to our commonwealth. When greed of gold has reached such a crisis, when tyranny is asserted as a national religion, is it not time that America, the land of freedom and justice, should proclaim to I lie world “To worship gold is sordid; to honor integritv, true and faithful activity is our pride ami symbol of success.” Conditions of the present well illustrate the wrong interpretation of the word '‘success.” Often, too often, is it a synonym for ruthless ambition, for ill gained riches, for voluntu-ous power. Naturally the question arises. Must a man be cruel, ruthless, coldly indifferent to the welfare of his fellow-men in order to succeed ?” The answer is an emphatic No. No success is worthy if it crushes other men’s happiness, if attained by dishonest means. Success means an honorable ea reer,—power devoted to the welfare of all human beings. in the height of his power, Napoleon was considere I and undoubtedly considered himself—a wonderful success. His insatiable ambiticn transformed him from a poor Corsican boy to the high rank of an emperor,—it drove him from the throne of France to the desolation of St. Helena. Looking out over the unsympathetic sea from his prison island Napoleon discovered that instead of being tin greatest success In was tin most gigantic failure in all history. Never had sueli an op port unity come to a living ereature as to Napoleon. Instead of uplifting humanity he hud done his best to destroy it. Selfish, ruthless ambition was his motive. Through streams of blood, through fields of innocent dead he had marched to the pinnacle of fame, only to he soon east into oblivion. Napoleon may have achieved glory, hut not success. Tyranny is not sue-eess. It is injustice. From the lips of millions rings the cry. ‘Is it a sordid race, the people of the world, seeking power, thirsting for glory, insensible of the suffering of others, intent only upon selfish ambition, and bowing servilely to self-constituted rulers?” No, it is a race not yet grown up—a race that has yet to learn the insignificance of what it has done compared to what it can do—a race that is yet to learn man's humanity to man. Tonight, the class of 1910 stands on the eve of graduation The school of opportunity, of experience lies before us. Looking forward through the series of years, we behold the shadows of the future resplendent and hopeful beyond our gaze. Not with trembling do we approach it. but with steady step, with hopeful and courageous hearts. Before we sever ur connections with this institution whose walls have witnessed cur struggles, joys, defeats and victories, we wish to bow a last farewell. May it stand years and years as a silent witness in training and preparing students for their life work. Mav it send out men and women equipped to meet the battles of life. And when time and age will have defaced and delayed its walls, and only a few time worn columns stand mutely to testify where it once stood, may its history ami living re-mains live verdant in the hearts of the people whose ancestors received their training in its honored walls. We appreciate