Conneaut High School - Tattler Yearbook (Conneaut, OH)

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Commencement ©rations THE EAST AS A FACTOR IN PRESENT AND FUTURE CIVILIZATION Tho great mistake is apt to be made by many unthinking persons that the present progress of the world is due almost entirely to Western Civilization, particularly to the efforts of that branch known as the Anglo-Saxon nations. Through ig-noranee or egotism we shrink from admitting that there is any similarity bet wen our civilization and that of such countries as Babylonia, Egypt and China. Prejudiced as we arc, it startles us to read this statement from an authority on eastern questions,-—“The civilization of the Hast is as highly developed as the Anglo-Saxon, but in general, the development has been along different lines.” If we compare our civilization with that of the nations of the Orient, which the research of recent years has brought to light, we shall see how very little has been our original accomplishment compared with that of nations which we either underrate or scorn. Let us consider a few lines of Eastern achievement from which we have profited. The knowledge of India in science and mathematics has always been to scholars a source of wonder and admiration. The Pythagorean theorem was known in India long before the time of Pythagoras; yet the basis of their knowledge along these lines has been traced to the influence of an even older civilization, that of tin Babylonians. Without entering upon the important question of the connection of Babylonia with religious history it may be well to consider the debt we owe to Babylon. All antiquity recognized the Chaldeans as excellent astronomers and mathematicians and their calculations and observations are of practical value today in modern astronomy. In fact, it has been discovered from records that the Alexandrian scientists who were once thought to have instituted astronomy, merely carried on the work of the Babylonians. Since tin cuneiform inscriptions have been studied recently, we arc amazed by tin thoroughness and precision of these people. The method of measuring time which the modern world would la proud to have discovered, we owe to those ancient scientists. The system of weights, parts of which still exist as standard weights in some modern nations, was connected with their systems of measuring time, space, and capacity in a manner the simplicity of which is astounding. Do we not all know the influence of the Roman system of laws on the world? Vet her laws and many of her institutions which have played so large a part in western development. arc directly traceable to tin genius of the Babylonians. Many other elements necessary to man's progress such as writing, fancy weaving, pottery, brick making, a system of irrigation, and the beginnings of painting, sculpture. 30

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lien , we walked to the office of Prank Hawaii, ex-cornetist of the Conneaut High School Orchestra—now Mining Engineer and Mine Owner. Hagan, having as ever an abundance of leisure time at his disposal, was affording himself much pleasure by exploring the old abandoned mines about his property ami driving the rats, owls, hats and other denizens out of them by playing his cornet—needless to say Frank was highly successful. Entering the city again we stopped at the Steel Mills where Ara Pitcher was Superintendent. lie was a prominent and influential man about the city, and had an air of prosperity; but nevertheless t' wild life which Pitcher led while at ('. 11. S.. had evidenced itself in his prematurely gray hair. Twilight was falling as we threaded our way through the industrial districts of the city ami I was endeavoring to re member whom 1 had not seen in my day of sight-seeing. Ah, 1was the most diminutive members of the class- Ruth Murphy and Boyd Work. How we had overlooked them I could not imagine, for in school they had certainly made their presence known on every occasion. A few moments later we halted before a mammoth plant. I inquired of Attwood the cause of our stopping and in answer he pointed toward the lofty top of the building, there in a huge electric sign I read- The B. II. Work Chemical Co., Mfrs. of Patent Medicines, etc. Radium Bitters, Our Specialty. Thus was Boyd realizing big returns by the same methods he had employed in faking the Faculty in ( II. S. IB and Ruth had been married shortly after leaving school; each realizing that either could not make his way alone in this great dark world. Ruth still held the old undisputed record of being the fastest talking little girl in fhe world—except while she was reciting in her classes at ('. If. S.—and as President of the Woman's Suffrage Association. had distinguished herself on many an occasion. Arriving at the Hotel, wearied but happy, I had a farewell dinner with Attwood and then retired. The next morning at daybreak, after sorrowfully bidding ‘‘Jim” “An Revoir, James and I ascended and began our return flight. As we peacefully sailed out of the portals of Futurity City, the sun was rising majestically in a glory of delicate hues; and as the shadowy outlines of the city receded farther and farther from us, the first slanting rays of the sun touched and transmuted them into gold. It was a city of light, of dreams, and I was floating back once again into the cold, grim world of reality. ROBERT C. WEBB. 9—0 Cr'lHZ- 29

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and architecture we owe to tin inhabitants of that country which was the teacher of the ancient nations of Asia. Egypt, Phoenicia. Persia, and India followed in the main the lines laid down by Babylon. Through the conquering of Babylonia by IVrsia and tin triumph of the Greeks over the latter, the Greeks and later the Homans, came into possession of a vast amount of this knowledge which stimulated their civilization to an unknown extent, and through them we have received the great heritage. Not alone has the eastern civilization of the past proven a powerful factor in our present development, hut it is des lined to prove a factor in the civilization of the future, for everything points to the fact that the Orient is shaking off its lethargy, ami is on the eve of a new era. Whether the eastern nations that figured so largely in the past will ever again play an important role in history no one can say. hut can we doubt that the ‘'Land of the Kising Sun” and the “Celestial Empire” are destined to play an inestimable part in the future progress of civilization? Japan’s rise has been meteoric, and we can hardly as yet comprehend it. That mysterious power, which fifty-six years ago was an isolated race of thirty-five million pagans, is today a world power, ami making the most rapid advances along the lines of civilization that the world has ever seen. She is the most progressive of the eastern nations ami is today the leader of the yellow race in its struggle to lift itself to the plane of the Caucasians. The hope for unity of Asiatic civilization has found its embodiment in the spirit of Japan, a snirit that combines Oriental insight and philosophy with self-control and clear practical vision. She is regarded hv the people of the Orient as the champion that is to lead their cause. But will Japan continue in this position? I’pon first thought the answer may he in the affirmative, but at some fu- Inn time , China, tin Kip Van Winkle of nations, with her four hundred millions, may equal and even surpass Japan in great ness. Ages ago China was a great nation, and we must grant that her civilization, though it affected the world but little, was highly developed. It may seem strange that religion should in any way In responsible for China’s withdrawal from her place among the nations to a place of isolation, but nevertheless religion, together with her ancient notions of theocracy, patriarchy, and writing, which she has retained, and which the west long ago rejected, have thrown her out of the current of the world’s progress. The golden rule of Confucius teaches non-interference with others, and following this rule, China shut herself out from tin world till a few years ago America carried the light of civilization to her door. Since she has awakened and received this, she is fast laying aside her old ideas, and absorbing all that is good and noble in that civilization, but at the same time retaining her lofty ideals and integrity. Will she by adopting what is useful in western civilization lose those sterling qualities that have enabled her to outlast all the great nations of the past? We think not. The future greatness of China is assured, and Japan may well fear her loss of leadership. It must be conceded that China lacks many things that go to make up a modern nation, but there are some features of her civilization that we might imitate. China does not pay deference to wealth. A scholar and gentleman commands greater respect than a millionaire. The aim of Chinese education is to mal e a man a useful member of society, a kind father, a dutiful son. a loyal subject, a good husband, and a faithful friend. Moral training is at the fountain of Chinese education, and mental training stands next. The nature of her civilization is above all peaceful, and Buddhism is the only religion that has never extended its doctrines by the sword. If