Lincoln Junior High School - Lincoln Life Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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s... R . q 'x THOMAS J EFFERSON tPrize EssayeCityl The American Government of today owes much to certain men of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The greatest documents we have were- written by men of that time. George Washington perhaps was the most famous, but following close behind him is one whom all school children connect with the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson, the author of this remarkable document, was a line scholar and could read and speak several languages. He was not gifted as a great orator, but with his pen, he rendered great services for the cause of liberty. He was the third president of the United States and during his terms in oHice, he helped to increase growth and commerce and to spread popular education. During the Virginia Convention, Jefferson became famous throughout the colonies. This resulted in his appointment as a delegate to the Continental Congress on the tenth of June, 1776, where he was made chairman of a commit- tee to draft a Declaration of Independence. As chairman, Jefferson wrote this document. With the exception of one or two phrases, the Declaration is entirely his own words. The f1rst law passed by the House of Burgesses of Virginia set down very detailed laws of religion by which the people had to abide. When Thomas Jefferson was appointed with two other men, to revise the code of Virginia, he took from the statute-book all laws relating to worship and religion and put in their place a single paragraph which he considered as important as the Declaration of Independence. For nine years, from 1777 to 1786, Jefferson, and other men believing the same as he, fought the clergy of Virginia to secure this simple solution of the religious problem. The greatest triumph of Jefferson's career came through his connection with the treaty for the annexation of the Louisiana Territory to the United States. It was perhaps the greatest benelit he ever bestowed upon his country and it contributed more to his honor than any other incident or public act with which he was connected. At the same time it was the lirst instance in which a president of the United States ever used his personal and political influence to crowd through congress an act which he himself declared unconstitutional. There is no doubt that during Jeffersonls time he was considered no greater than some of our Congressmen are today. He might not have been praised then, but he lived to see his country helped through his own efforts. He died July 4, 1826, just lifty years after the Declaration of Independence. VIRGINIA FAHR.

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THE GOOD SHIP, LINCOLN In March, 1923, Lincoln, our good ship, began its first voyage. Strange and unfamiliar hands grasped the wheel. An unfamiliar crew manned the boat. Nevertheless, Mr. Lewis, our pilot, and the faculty, our crew, kept faith in their belief, that the ship, Lincoln, would come through. For four months that first year, the ship sailed with little visible success. The next year, the same crew, with a few exceptions, took control, and the same hands held the wheel. Chugging and plowing its way, the good ship continued its search for hidden gems and treasures by means of our special activities. Slowly Success appeared on Lincolnis horizon. Visibly encouraged and considerably heartened, the ship plunged its way into deeper and more productive waters. Our pilot had often said: T'If we want ships to come in we must send ships out. So the next year saw the flagship, Lincoln, and its fieet of sister ships. Special Activities, hoist anchor and slowly disappear over the beckoning horizon of Success. New channels in the search of knowledge and development opened, and Lincoln saw opportunities in these. Bit by bit, crew and passengers increased. Richer and better cargoes were brought home. Yes, the good ship, Lincoln, may well be proud of its achievements, the standard of its education, and its many opportunities offered to the boys and girls. ROBERT PARKANS. A VISION It is my. first appearanceemy debut into the theatrical world. Am I a success or a failure? I hear my cue. My heart pounds violently. Yet, as I advance on the stage, my fears vanish in the calm glow of the footlights. From that vast immobile audience I glean nothing. I can only wait till the curtain shall determine. At last the curtain falls. A roar of thunderous applause goes up that echoes, and resounds, and lives. Flowers are heaped into my arms, roses, a mound of them. The curtain calls at last cease. Back in the quiet of my dressing room, with the trophies of my victory heaped around me, I think of my first attempt at acting, how we combined work and play into joyous school days, the patience of the coach, and the faces of my classmates gleaming in the glow of the footlights. As I think of those times associated with the 01d Dramatic Club, a feeling. sweeter than all the roses that surround me, steals into my heart for Lincoln. KATHERINE HENEY. GRATITUDE Dear Celia: Yes, I have joined the Glee Club, and Mrs. Mosley, our music instructor. had me try out for the Operetta, Nearly 3 Honeymoon, given in April. Celia. what do you suppose? I was given a leading part. Oh, I was so excited! While practicing one day, Mr. Lewis, our principal, walked in. He told Mrs. .Mosley he heard me singing and wanted to know where she got chat. She replied: iiI found her strolling along in the halls. This was the first time that anybody had said anything about my voice. But, Celia, I owe you thanks for giving me the inspiring thought of getting into the Glee Club. Affectionately, HANNAH WEINBERG.