Cranston High School - Cranstonian Yearbook (Cranston, RI)

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THE CRANSTONIAN CLASS OF 1936 3dOI'QWOI'J THE State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations! One may well ask What'5 in a name? What do these two words 'KRhode Island mean? A geographical subdivision of a great nation? The proper name of a small unimportant island in a small unimportant New England bay? An historical designation for a small group of emigrants in the great westward flow of civilization? Yes, all of these. And by the same token, something far greater, something more eternal. It was in Rhode Island, that tiny, comparatively insignificant political entity, that a most idealistic and passionately desired philosophy, the philosophy of spiritual freedom, blossomed into practical function. It was in Rhode Island that the leadership was established in the earliest development of the greatest American birthright, the right to be an individual, a spirit of individualism. It was Rhode Island men that brought forth a new spirit of progressivism, new because for the Hrst time it was based upon the principles of fearlessness, courage, confidence, and ingenuity. This then is the true and eternal Spirit of Rhode Island, which when defined is that a most flourishing civil state may best be created and maintained if full liberty of religious discernments and individual preferences is granted and progressivism is encouragedf' It is only fitting, during this year of Rhode Island's Tercentenary celebration, that this Spirit of Rhode Island should be brought to mind and its origin considered. Whence came The Spirit of Rhode Island ? The answer to this question is simple and conclusiveathe character and personality of Rhode Island's founders was the source from which emanated this spirit. And the continuance through the years of individuals cast in the molds of their forefathers has made it possible for it to continue to live. As Rhode Islandis premier founder, Roger Williams was the incorporater of this abstract quality. Was it not the fact that he demanded to be an individual and not a puppet that caused the town fathers to banish him from Salem during that cold winter of 1636? In setting out to conquer a new and wild country did he not symbolize that type of progressivism that relies for its success upon fearlessness, courage, confif dence and ingenuity? And above all, was it not his doctrine that political freedom and religious individuality were mutually exclusive that nearly cost him his life? All these are facts of history which reacted to cause the formation of a new state founded upon new principles. But not only did Roger Williams typify The Spirit of Rhode Islandf' William Blackstone, Samuel Gorton, William Coddington, and Anne I-Iutchinson were all cofpartners in the releasing of a great force which was destined to shape the fortunes of a great state in a great nation. Then whoj' it is asked, typifies 'The Spirit of Rhode Island' today? You do! You and you and you, if you are a traditional Rhode Islander, are the living embodiment of a great spirit,and as such you are commissioned to carry it to all parts of the world. The Class of 1936 chooses, therefore, as the theme for its publication The Spirit of Rhode Islandn because it realizes that this spirit has made our state what it is today. -..agf 2139..-