Ipswich High School - Tiger Yearbook (Ipswich, MA)

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of code messages knitted into socks. An example of the hopeful spirit of the Czechs at this time was the placard near a huge ceme- tery in Prague, saying “Rise, ye dead, the Emperor is calling his last reserves.” Soon a National Council w as established in Paris with Masaryk as President and Eduard Benes as Secretary. The preparation and campaign- ing had not been in vain ! Before the completion of the War, Czecho- slovakia was recognized as a na- tion by the Allies, a nation with an army and a diplomatic force. Soon after this, revolts and desertions by starving Austrians enabled the Czech people to take over the reins of their own government from the Hapsburgs. The Czechoslovakian Declaration of Independence was signed by Masaryk sitting in John Hancock’s chair in Independence Hall, Philadelphia. Two weeks after the formation of the new na- tion on October 28, 1918, the Na- tional Assembly was called togeth- er, and it w as Thomas G. Masaryk who was honored with the first Presidency of Czechoslovakia, a po- sition which he held until ill health forced him to resign in 1935. The responsibility of establish- ing soundly a country of people who had been under bondage for three hundred years was no easy task. He had to unify Slovaks, Ruthenians, Czechs, Jews, Poles, Germans, Gypsies, and Hungari- ans. Czechoslovakia was thorough- ly democratic in its tolerance — for there is no question but that the minorities in Czechoslovakia were better treated than anywhere else in the world — its wholesome- ness, its national pride, its progress, its government, and its peace-lov- ing motives. The character of Masaryk shines through these ten- dencies — the faith of Masaryk, a man keenly interested in philoso- phy, religious, determined, tolerant, and practical. Must we say that, because Mas- aryk is dead and Czechoslovakia is dissolved, his ideals and hopes for his country have perished ? I do not think so. These were tlie words of a Czech patriot, Comen- ius, in 1640 : “I, too, believe before God, that when the storms of wrath have passed, to thee shall return the rule over thine own affairs, O Czech people!” Benes, the second president, is confident that at some time he may return to lead his people. With- out a doubt the hope for the Czech people lies in their own hands. As they have maintained their love of freedom and justice through centuries of bondage, so they may continue and strive to perpetuate the ideals of their great leader, Masaryk, in a democracy, which can best follow his ideals of 28

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dents of his race with a feeling of national pride and rights — ideals for democracy which were born in the tyranny and injustice he saw around him, and which grew as a result of wide reading and discus- sions. Along with his interest in the v elfare of his own and other na- tionalities, Masaryk always dis- played a keen sense of justice and fair dealings. Upon the occasion of the court decision against a Jewish man named Hilsner on a charge of murder, Masaryk was stirred to defend him and later caused the charge to be revoked. In innumerable instances, this lit- tle-known professor stood out for his beliefs. His stand on certain policies aroused temporary unpop- ularity with many. Fellow-coun- trymen even named their dogs “Mas- •aryk” in spite. While a professor at Prague Uni- versity, he started his political ca- reer by publishing a weekly politi- cal newspaper in 1887. As a suc- cessful candidate of the Young Czech party in 1891, he became a member of Parliament in Vienna, an office which he resigned two years later to conduct a moral ed- ucation program for the Czechs. In 1900, Masaryk’s followers formed a new Realist party and elected him to Parliament again. This time he openly disagreed with certain aggressive policies of the Empire, and he succeeded in bring- ing to light treacheries and forger- ies committed for selfish ends by Aehrenthal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the mighty Austria-Hun- garian Empire. Imagine what a storm that caused in official circles I With his love for his people and a keen sense of justice, Thomas Masaryk preached freedom. When Francis Ferdinand was assassinat- ed and the World War started, Czech troops were forced to enter the Austrian army, but Czechs from various other parts of the world eagerly enlisted in the Allied forces. For four months Masaryk weighed in his mind the chances of a victory for the Allies, which alone would warrant his undertak- ing to secure independence for his people. He finally decided openly to oppose the Hapsburgs and ac- tively began his campaign. Talking with a young journalist, Eduard Benes, one day, Masaryk, himself an idealist, found in this materialist a suitable leader for the “Maffia,” an organization to function in Prague to receive and send communications to him out- side of the war territory. Having escaped from Austria through Italy, he began soliciting approval and funds for the cause of inde- pendence among Czechs all over the world by pamphlets and exten- sive tours. Messages were con- veyed by him to Prague by means 27

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vakians may confidently say with Thomas G. Masaryk that “Truth will conquer.” courage, faith, and tolerance. As a long range view of history has proved, the right is ultimately vic- torious. Therefore, the Czechoslo- Class Day Parts History of the Class of 1939 by Ralph Fraser I N the autumn of the year 1935 a most important event took place in what was then known as Man- ning High School. We, who are now seniors, formally took possession of that ancient stronghold of all fresh- men, the Study Hall. Being brave and resolute souls, we immediately held a series of class meetings which finally saw Delbert Matheson elected as our first presi- dent, Edward Marcorelle as vice- president, Joseph Hinckley as treas- urer, and Jane Wilson as secretary. Having thus chosen our officers for the year, we plunged into the heady whirligig of Manning’s high society by presenting to the outside world our candidate for the title of Queen of the Snows, Miss Frances Dorr. Although we lost the contest. we gave the winning juniors quite a battle, selling a good many tickets and co-operating with each other ir furthering our most noble cause. Our next venture into the field of society was a St. Patrick’s Day so- cial at which we proudly entertained the sophomores. Entertainment came in the form of a “Major Knows Amateur Hour” in which the Major was represented by Fred Cronin, who proved to be a benevo- lent soul in that during the whole performance he refrained from “giv- ing the gong” to the number of youthful hopefuls who played, sang, or tripoed the light fantastic. We were much pleased with the per- formance; so were the sophomores (we hope) . Our year became even more inter- esting when we learned that a brand new high school was being built fo us. Already we began putting on airs in preparation for becoming- sophomores in this wonderful build- ing of the near future. With such prospects in view we departed for our summer vacation, having lopped off one year of our journey through high school. The second year was a rather lethargic one for us. Class elections 29