Hanover High School - Hanoverian Yearbook (Hanover, MA)

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6 THE HANOVERIAN To establish a genuine friendship is not unfailing fidel- ity the most necessary quality? NVe cannot prosper without loyalty, both to ourselves and to others with whom we are most closely associated. Faith in one's self and faith in one's fellowmen will guide a person joyfully along the high- way which leads to the realization of the ideal of life. The ability to do the thing, which the student has set far ahead of him as his goal, can only be developed and made secure by thorough preparation in the schools of our nation. Do we, as students, make the most of our opportunites? Are we playing the game of life as it should be played? Patience, of course, must necessarily have its place in the realization of our ideal. No one can attain success without assigning a certain amount of resignation and application to the task in hand. All cannot be as the individual desires: everyone must wait his turn as the pilot of the wheel of life. But each one of us must make use of every moment in preparation for the day when our turn comes to act as leader of our group. Where are we to obtain our training in leadership if not in school? This is where a variety of opportunities is of- fered us that we may show our individual skill in dealing with members of a social group. It makes little difference how trifling our capacity seems to us, because it is our ef- fort at something small which prepares us for something larger when next we are called upon. Our lives are only what we make themg school offers us our opportunities. Let us grasp these offers as active members of our great and prosperous nation. C. F. S. ABRAHAM LINCOLN It has been said that Abraham Lincoln died at the right .moment for his fame. However that may be, it is certain that at the time of his death, he had not exhausted his use- fulness to his country. He was probably the only man who could have led the country through the difficulties of the reconstruction period in such a manner as to prevent the return of the passions of the war. He had the confidence of both the North and South. The North had confidence that he would save the Union and do his best toward eman- cipating the negroesg the South had confidence, after their

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THE HANOVERIAN 5 him. This, though crude, is very true, and it brings out the fact that character can not be seen by a human, but can be seen by Him who sees the heart. Man looketh on the outward appearances, but God looketh upon the heart. Therefore the only way character can be seen by our fellow humans is through our conduct. In this case conduct has no influence on character, but is the expression of our character. A person may not know his own character and may do things he thinks right, but yet, at the same time, he may be entirely wrong. This however, does not reflect upon his character because he did it unknowing of the wrong. Things may be done in the class room disturb and annoy yet this does not neces- sarily mean that the person involved has a weak or bad character, but it does mean that with a little more thought it might have been avoided. Since our conduct shows our character we should be careful and strive to cultivate only the best qualities. CONSTANCE MacPHEE, '29. OUR LIVES VVhat does life mean to each one of us? Do we realize what is expected of individuals as members of our schools and churches: as citizens of the United States? How of- ten do we consider our equipment for life? It seems plausible to consider health as the first and most fundamental element. For of what advantage is wealth, in the material sense or in the intellectual sense, without health to promote these riches? Too little do our students value health, when really it is youth's greatest asset g a heal- thy body, when we are young, prepares us for our struggle with life in the years to come. Let us consider character as our next opportunity for success in the world. just what is character? Is it not a rather broad and extensive term embodying various ele- ments in life? ' It has often been said that friends are among our great- est treasures and that our lives are often dull and uninter- esting without them. Do we not look to friends in time of trouble to help us out of our difficulty? Does it not take a person of sterling character to become a true friendg one who is willing to sacrifice, that another may prosper?

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THE HANOVERIAN 7 defeat, that he would do nothing to them out of revenge and hatred. With malice toward none, with charity for all, the greatest of victors revealed himself as a genius of recon- ciliation. Another service Lincoln could have rendered his country had he lived, would have been to clear the country of worth- less office seekers. A few days after the fall of Richmond, he pointed out to his friend, a large crowd of these office seekers beseiged his door. Look at that, he said, Now we have conquered the rebellion, but here you see some- thing that may become more dangerous than the rebellion itself. Mr. Lincoln certainly did not profess to reform principles. He gave offices to some of his friends, but in his endeavor to strengthen the Union, he searched the country for good men to hold officesg in this he frequently overstepped the limits of his party. To us of the younger generation, Abraham Lincoln has become a half mythical figure which, as time passes, will grow into more heroic proportions. This is a common lot for heroes: their tales of heroism grow more fanciful with time. The Lincoln tale is apt to be more so because of his humble origin, the contrasts, and the startling height to which he rose. This true American remained the simplest and most un- pretending of citizens, when elevated to the highest posi- tion in the land. He who could not see a creature suffer without feeling a pang in his own breast, suddenly found himself called on to lead one of the bloodiest of our wars but in his heart he was the truest friend of the South. Among the lamentations that rose with the news of Lincoln's death none voices deeper grief than 'Walt Whit- man in his poem, O Captain, My Captain. My Captain does not answer, His lips are pale and still, My father does not feel my arm, He has no pulse or will, The ship is anchored safe and sound, Its voyage closed and done. From fearful trip to victor ship Comes in with object won, Exult, O shore, and rin-g, Oh Fbellsg But I with mournful tread Walk the deck, my 'Captain lies Fallen cold and dead. SAMUEL BARCLAY, '28.