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

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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

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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 275 test of history, such as Washington and Lincoln. It may seem trite and old-fashioned to be advised to follow the leadership of these national and international heroes. But the very fact that they and their deeds are still held up to us as patterns, and have lost no whit of their glory and luster, should give us an additional incentive, should provide us with another spur to lead lives of honor. If every one of us helps by his example, to raise the ideals of the nation, and to implant in the people a greater love of honor, he will be assisting in great measure to keep our country from the horrors of such a war as is in progress on the other side of the Atlantic. For government but reflects the attitude and character of the people governed. It follows then that violation of treaties and agreements is possible only when the populace favors such measures. But a people truly upright could not sanction the breaking of the national word and the shedding of innocent blood. ' Therefore, my friends, I exhort each and every one of you to resolve right now to perform or sanction no action which does not accord with what your conscience tells you tends to raise the standard of American honor. And I urge you, fellow classmates and graduates of 1915, to bear in mind that you are graduates of this school, and that the school demands and expects that you hesitate long before you sully her proud name. And remember too, before all else, that you are Americans, and that America stands now and has always stood for all that is right and honorable. W. IRVING LEAHY. - I ESSAY THE CONTENTED HEART 66 'Mi absolutely worn out! I never was so rushed in all my life! Oh, I'd have given anything if I could have stayed at home and slept all the morning! How often we have heard those words, have spoken them ourselves, as the days of this Senior year have flown past! There has been something doing every minute, not always something important, but just the thousand and one little things that keep us so busy. And other people are just as badly off. Our friends don't write because they are too busy. Our