Lincoln School - Lambre Quin Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 57 text:

perhaps, or look at the bookshelves. Stare at them. Note the symmetry of the volumes. their colors, their variotts heights and widths. Let your thoughts wan- der. your mind drift. And let those who know not condemn you for a simple- ton. After only one hour in such a sublime occupation, you will be a confirmed loafer and a better person for it. l am not belittling the merits of a good book, movie, or play. Each has its worth. But, to assimilate and settle ideas in your mind, nothing surpasses the system of do-nothingness . The world would be a better place, its people less harassed, confused, and discouraged, if everyone spent even part of an hour a day in such beneficial idleness. Hlithout aiming to change the world. we can at least make ourselves better students for Lincoln School by saving for our- selves some small interval of free time each day in which we can become adept loafers. E. A. G.. '53 THE PROBLEM OF PEACE The following paragraphs are excerpts from a few of the top twelve Peace Essays written by the Senior Class. These paragraphs were chosen to illustrate different approaches to the problem, and the varying interpretations of the theme. THE BASIS FOR A DURAISLE PEACE. 3? il! 'llf 3? NVhat are the reasons for the seemingly continuing and increasing disagree- ments resttlting in wars between peoples? Perhaps htunan nature is as much to blame as anything. lt is a part of every person. if he is normal. to have within himself a certain desire to be as good as the next fellow. ln some countries this desire may be suppressed to a state of mere nothingness and complete irrelativ' ity: nevertheless. it is still there. A tendency toward jealousy and envy of thc person obtaining the most is natural. lt is purely idealistic to say that in some way the lack of one thing is made up for by the abundance of another, although this is a theory in which l believe. The starving and undernourished peoples of the world will hardly say that they have something which takes the place of food. Hungry and crowded people are not likely to be peaceful people. l am not writing on XVHAT MAKES PEOPLE, which would involve chang- ing human nature, but l do believe that means can be obtained whereby we leave human nature the way it is and change world conditions to meet its de- tnands. The changing of the world. however. cannot be accomplished through the efforts of one nation only. It requires the complete cooperation and trust- fulness of all nations in the world .... SttsANNl41 R.-xtNt41s, '53 lt is so great. this peace. that it is overwhehning to think of' all we can and must do. Xllhere do we start. and what do we do hrst, and where, above all, lies the wrong that has caused all the troubles and war of today, and long before today? To my way of thinking, all the blame can be placed on one word. rfilfer- r'ncf's-itt custom and habit, in religion and all belief in government, in educa- tion. And yet, these differences are really not to blame. for how can we expect over two billion people, spread over the earth, to be alike. l believe that all these differences can be sunnned up in two words, lff.S'flAIl.Yf and rlzisinlctprelnliorz, and. allowing that education and religion work right along with these, l think that if the United States made a good start on eradicating these two ideas. we would be well on the way to tl1e dttrable peace we are seeking .... ELIZABI-I'l'll Ststczk, '53 The primary aim of our generation is durable world peace. But the ideas on the method for obtaining this end are diverse. Some say a complete and all- powerfttl world government is the only answer. Others claim that we must let events take their course-that. before too much damage is done. the thirst for conquest will be sated. I submit that world peace will be obtained only when economic conditions are such that there is no mot e need for strife .... Enrrn GRossMAN, '53 Fifty-firm

Page 56 text:

Ififly-two SPRING RHAPSODY Spring is the most poignant season of the year. It is the awakening of a new world, a newborn earth lull of warmth and happiness and a carefree love of life. It should be a tinte of proms and laughter and girls competing to catch the earliest tan, of class parties, and picnics and early trips to beaches. Spring should be softball games after school in the brilliant sunlight, with shouts and laughter and home runs: then, returning home, to an uneasy evening of half- hearted study interwoven with wistful thoughtsg lunch periods spent talking and planning in the warmth of the noondayg restless class periods with the scent of the fresh, warm air drifting in through the open windows, scrambles for seats nearest the sunlight, and open windows with arms hanging out along the sill. Spring should be rides in open convertibles with hair blowing in the wind, a time for falling in love too easily-but then, there is no disillusionment in Spring. For ns, Spring IQ53, will be different from the others, one that can never be duplicated: one that is the last step towards a goal for which we have striven and prayed during twelve long. happy years. It is the ultimate reward, completion. It will hold the last exams, the last step-singing, and Commencement. C07I'l,77'l6'7If't 17'I,c'lIf, by the implication of its name, means the beginning. But will it not mean for many of us the end? X'Vill it not be sad good-byes to many happy days and associations here at Lincoln, to days whose fullness we will never experience again in the same manner? I-Iow shall I feel? Will it be excitement in the feverish preparations for the ending festivities? XN'ill I be lost in a whirl of teas, white gowns, and red roses? XfVill I be swept up in the life and love of Spring? Or will there be some- thing more? VVill I not be uncertain, timid, and even scared of losing the secur- ity of a routine which has been built up during my school years, of taking a lirst big step alone, with careful preparation perhaps, but still alone into the world? How will I use the knowledge and experience acquired during this first era ol' my life? And, even deeper, will I inevitably be sad? I know I will be sad, for twinges of sadness creep unawares upon me even now. And during the short few months remaining. no matter how lively and lovely the Spring is, there will be time for tears. And as I receive my diploma on June -1, l953 and hear the sing- ing of tl1e school song, Hail, Hail to Lincoln School, I will fully realize that from now on, I have only the memories left of some of the most precious days of my life. . S. R., '53 IN DEFENSE OF LOAFERS Monday-basketball practice, homework: 'I'uesdayHDance Club, homework: Nllednesday-shopping, Concert: Thursday- . . . so, throughout the week runs the schedule of a Lincoln girl. Our lives are so hectic, so crammed full of activity! Mother calls us to dry the dishes, we must attend a Student Council Meeting, teachers pile on hours of homework, and Father harps at us to read good, educational books. Relaxation is one of the keynotes of existence, yet we '1'wentieth-Century Moderns rarely conceive of it in its true form. Now, to our mind, relaxation does not mean watching television, seeing a movie, or reading a classic',. These, it is true, are all forms of entertaitnnent: but entertaimnent is not synonymous with relaxation. Relaxation means, to put it bluntly, giving body and soul a chance to loaf. There are those who will decry loaling as a waste of time. and, more itu- portant, of mental energy. This, however, is most emphatically untrue, for loaf- ing re-invigorates the body, re-jnvenates the mind, and re-enlivens the soul. There is nothing more utterly satisfying. during a day of work and play, than to lie atop one's bed and slate at the ceiling, letting all thoughts drift where they may: or, in the sunnner, to stretch out in the backyard, or on the beach, or the deck of a boat, perhaps. 'I'he sweeping motion of polymorphous clouds passing overhead is blissfully restful. During a busy school day, take time out for a visit to the library. lint don't pick up a book. Gaze out of the window,

Page 58 text:

Wars begin i11 llll' 111i11ds ol' nn-11, and we live i11 a world ol democracies where the 111ind ol' tl1e CUIIIIIIOII lllilll is llll-llllllOl'l2illI. Nlle ll2lYC leI't bcl1ind IIS the days wl1en kings a11d tl1eir SIZIICSIIICII could declare war at will, regardless ol' the feelings ol' their subjects, and we have no prool' tl1at ClClllOl'l'2lCy ol' itsell' is a protection against a readiness to make war .... The better nations understand each other, tl1e more they will realile lltllt' llllllfll they l1ave in COIIIINOII-Hlltl wl1y and l1ow they diller, too-the less prone tl1ey will be to take arms against each other. Know thyself, said the old prov- erb. Know your neighbor we say today. And the whole world is our neigh- bor. . CA1z1.A Wkttstrr, '53 First there 111ust be a vision ol' peace. A vision tl1at is atltnittedly idealistic but very necessary-because there can be no constructive action witl1o11t a vision . . . Our present job is to End our vision. Each o11e IIHISK know his lll'C2llI1 and believe in it a11d work for it. And, because each person ll2lS tl1at little piece ol' God in llllll, the vision will so111e day l7CC'0lIlC real. ' SALLY S11oo1-, '53 The peoples ol' tl1e world today in their group relationships are ruled by certain national and racial prejudices. I believe Illkll these prejudices constitute at present. the greatest obstacle to our progress towards durable international peace, and, u11til tl1ey are Hllllilst completely eliminated, nothing can be set up tl1at will elfectively preserve our international security. This intolerance is un- avoidable, due to niisapplication ol' education or even ntiseducation. The racial illlll national prejudices which are so deep and dangerous C2111 only lead 11s to destruction .... ll these prejudices continue, we shall be torn by civil strile and dissensiong tl1en we sl1all be divided against ourselves, and unless we are trulv Utliierl States, we shall throw Olll' weight towards war rather than peace ....' S1 1s1xN fi0l I , '53 AFTERTHOUGHT Science is truth. 'l'ruth is beauty, But. is tl1e potency ol' Zlll Zllthlll bo111b Or the a11nil1ilation ol' a universe Iieatttiful? C1,1x1to1.vN llkttztzs, 'Dil EXCHANGES 'I'l11' I,iIll1f Ilipjrcr llanctolt School. Worcester, 'I'l1r' Log' 'labor ,xl'2lllClllV. Nlariou, Mass. VRISS- SI. Murg'r1r1'l'.s Sflmol Cltrortirlrf - A St. hl2ll'g2ll'l'l'S The ll1'i111111ft1'-1111110--li1'i111111e1'-Nlny School, Boston, S1-l11111l, Al1Q1-that-11, Sq-11111111411 MSISS- The fill.K'l1fllg' lin'1'z1'-t111sl1i11g' .xl'Lltll'llll. ASlIllIIl'll- 'I'l11r fil'!'U!ll1'tIf'4 UI'CClIWlt'll ,Xct1de111y, fil'Cl'llWlCll, I111111, M1155 Ulllll- Alrtgvtzirtr' of Ihr' Ix'1'igl1l1'v Iiirlx' fiflllllllllli' Srl1o11l---- Till! NI2!'lllflI'lrl SlIll'ff-N0l'Ll1llL'ltl Scltfltll l'tbl' Ul1'lS. Keighley, Yt11'kql1i1'e, lQ11glg1111l, Nortlnicld, Mass. The Drflpllian-Moses Brown Scl1ool, l,l'0Vltll'l1l'l'. Q N H Q R4 In AS wt, stir, 0Illl'.RS llilw 'ff 1 A '? LA'ii'd? lV' A l'm'C '.'l 'SS' 'lhe M:1Q:17i11e ol' the Kei2l1lev Girls' fililllllllill' Ilm l'11ckcI- --lS11ck111f1'l1z1111 School, f12lllllJl'lKl'TC, Mass. .1 1 ' 1 - , - -' , , - , .. ,,, Tl y O in ,H MPH C, wlchlv Shui? Plqmi School used 0111 ltlL'.l ol 5l'Ill0l c..lllU0llS lo1 lic- dcmhg' R- I - 'C ' 'l ' LL' ' ' I'ects and did Ll very co1111ne11dable job ol' it! We . . . tl'z : 1' ' l'.' 5'-ll' :':'r l- Tlur Cnlrlrmt-f-Friends Select sflltllll. l'llIl2ItlC'lPlll1l. '. 'ls 'L ' lf 'f. 'S' 1' Th CVS 'Ln' g lm' P1 lished hy Olll pen l'l1CllIlh Ill Fllgltllltl. The llIng'11.v+Milton .'kl'IltlClllf' Girls' School, Milton, The attractive illustrations ol' The fil'l'c'llll'llf add Mags, llllliill to its appeal, and llllx varied articles show tl1e The SrxlrotI-Beltnont Hill School, BCll110lll. Mass. widespread interest ol' school activity at fil'l'Cl1WlK'll 'I'l1r' Ijfflgllll----Sl. CLeorge's Scl1ool. Newport, R. I. Ncaclenty. 1'l'B -Vfsb llllmllllf sfllmll-, Uttfttltwllf- 'Md' 1 flongratttlatiotis to tl1e Hman .h'I,I0lIlXlll'Il1' on their vllllflllf .Srlrolrtxltzvte-St. lauls School. Cioncoid, mm 1m,I.m.y nmlcriul' M10 cumin, rwuling lhvil. ,.m.iL,d N' H' selections of prose and verse! le1lTlIlI' r111rI Ifwixrart Westtown School. Wt-s1tow11. 1111 ti-111111. loiifussou, '55 Fifty-four