Hartford Public High School - Classbook Yearbook (Hartford, CT)

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THE CHRONICLE 273 Attaining this, would set a goal Still higher than the one before. W'l1at a glorious statue would that be If he'd place his goal just high enough to see, Then climb,-and reaching, let it soar Still high'r. What man dare say just what the perfect is? But the whole world knows That he might, if he chose, Mold an ideal from his clay. SHIRLEY Arwoou. i ORATION HONOR NE year ago this time, the world was electrified, astounded and saddened by the news that the Powers of Europe had forsworn their allegiance to the cause of humanity and civilization, and were attempting to blot out each other's existence with the shedding of inno- cent blood. The world was amazed, I say, by the rapid stride of events, and saddened by the consideration of the fearful possibilities of the war. But the world in general had no greater cause for concern than we, the United States, the most powerful people who have not as yet tasted the horrors of bloodshed. Let us hope that we may never feel the need of entering the struggleg that our interests can be honorably cared for with- out recourse to arms. The war means much to us. It means much to our country, its pros- perity, and its policies. No other class can recall a graduation in times half so stirring as the present. In the years to come we shall relate with pleasure tinged with grief that we completed our High School course while the XVorld lVar was waging-almost upon the anniversary of its outbreak. But the war signifies more to us than mere sentiment. It furnishes a mighty though horrible lesson to us which should be applied to our national government and to ourselves. For after all we are the nation: we, its citizens, determine its policies, and labor to preserve its honor-the national honor. And we can do this only by maintaining a high standard of personal honor. 1 .4

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THE CHRONICLE CLASS POEM Before his task the sculptor stands, His shapeless clay besideg For the first time without the helping hands That till this day his work have planned, He will alone his outline guide. What will his clay's foundation be? And how be builded up? And where Will the height of his skill be brought to b To mold the form most perfectly? Alas! this man has 110 ideal, No perfect object to attain,- He gropes, in a blind way, to reveal Beauty he knows not of, but fain Would breathe into his form of clay. What, pray, can the result but be? Will any mortal dare to say A model which presents no key By which the critics beauty find? Nay, the master catches here and there A line or two surpassing fair, Born of the well-nigh suppressed ideal VVhich lowliness could not quite conceal. Vlfould he but set a loftier goal Than he can possibly attain Today, to scramble for, would let his soul Sublimely rise, in pure disdain Of all things which are not so good, E'en now could he change the lifeless clay Into the loveliest form he wouldg For the sculptor's hands can but obey The noble impulse guiding them, And in the clay would shine the gem Of high ambition, love of Truth. And when the form was complete, in sooth, 'Twould shine more bright by far than when 'Twas but begun, for he could not stem Ambition's flight. His tireless soul ear

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274 THE CHRONICLE Never did the times demand honorable men more than the present, men who are honorable in every sense of the word. War brings with it a host of evils. The barbarous instincts in man, the savage impulses in him rise to the surface in response to the clangor of trumpets and the din of armies. lt is human nature to take sides not according to reason, but according to the dictates of sentiment and personal friendships or animosities. Engulfed in seas of passion, none but the truly honorable, the truly courageous, the morally strong, and the spiritually sound, can hope to withstand the mighty waves of retrograding civilization, humanity, and morality, resulting from the war. And, thanks to our four years' training in this building and the ex- ample of our instructors, We launch forth into the world, splendidly equipped to maintain our own good name, integrity and honor. But the very possession of these qualities, and the enjoyment of the privileges we have enjoyed, impose upon us in turn the duty of exemplifying up- rightness in whatever paths our careers may bring us. Some of us may be destined to serve the public, to occupy high seats of authority, with its concurrent responsibility. To show that the re- sponsibility is not misplaced, and to discharge creditably the trust imposed upon us requires strong character and unimpeachable honor. The in- clination and the power to mold public opinion are inevitable accompani- ments of authority, and as the sculptor is unable to work the stone beneath his hands without leaving the imprint of his own individuality and character, so we, if we stand for right and the maintenance of in- tegrity at any cost, shall indelibly imprint the same character upon those with whom we come in contact, and render our own names and deeds synonymous with honor. But, on the other hand, if we stand for hy- pocrisy, deceit, unclean politics or unfair business methods, we shall End only too many who will model themselves after us. Holding so many subject to our influence then, for good or evil, how immensely important is it that we cultivate the seeds of honor sown in our souls in the past four years. Q l But while the honorable man is a necessity and a blessing in public life, his inhuence is no less powerful for good in private. His friends and associates in business cannot help but look up to him as a model, and endeavor to pattern their own lives and actions after his. Let each one of us choose an ideal, a guide worthy of being imitated. Let us, of course, select one whose life and character have stood the acid