Lyman Hall High school - Singer Chronicle Yearbook (Wallingford, CT)

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IV. THE CHRONICLE. dom and careful consideratian. Yet this policy of suiting the action to the deed, Mr. Wilson’s critics have defined as lack of policy; having a courage of his convictions sufficient to persevere in it, they have termed vacillation. “Too proud to fight” is the attribute given a man who has placed his ideals above his feelings, his country above his popularity, but who has at no time placed peace above honor. In every way within his reach he proved himself first in peace, as long as peace was possible, but no one was more prompt to take action when more vigorous measures were necessary. While such a president is with them, the American people should never fail to show their appreciation for his leadership. In 1916, Mr. Wilson was re-elected to his office, a sign that the voters of the country approved of his first administration and that in their eyes he had made good. There was no mystery about this popularity, it was merely the result of everything he had done. Among the reasons for his success are his boundless activity, his efficiency, and his statesmanship. Though he has had enough duties as president to discourage an ordinary man, such is the efficiency with which he works, and so well does he apportion his time that he is always ready to show his interest in any patriotic movement. The Boy Scouts, the Red Cross, relief committees, all have found him a willing listener to their appeals, and a devoted worker in their behalf. However, not in his untiring energy, not in his marvelous efficiency, but in his statesmanship, his admirers say he has proved himself greatest. At all times he has placed before the people his plans, his inten-tentions, his principles in simple, forceful English—English alike comprehensible to the school boy and the Congressman. Through his speeches, clear, concise and to the point, and through their widespread circulation by the committee of Public Iinformation, it has been possible for the average man and woman in this country to know just why the United States is in this war, what the nation considers its duties as a belligerent and how it intends to fulfill them. In sharp contrast to the individual knowledge of the average German citizen concerning the war is the condition of public understanding and independent thinking in America. For this maintenance of a free spirit in our democracy we have the statesmanship of our president to thank. A man who stands for America first, who is every inch an American, but who can look beyond the borders of his own country and see the need and suffering of others, a man who is giving his all for the support of a noble cause, a man who is first in peace and first in war and should also be first in the hearts of his countrymen. Now, if ever, there should be unity in essentials. This is no time to question why of a man who has already proved his worth. It is our duty to get behind the president and stay there. Catharine Keeler ’i8 AMERICA’S LATEST HERO—MAJOR RAOUL LUFBERY It is said: “There are souls that cannot be anchored; no haven can hold them long. They must ever be off for new experiences. For them, every day dawns as the invitation to go forth to fresh adventure. Such are the ones who make our great achievements for us.” In their youth, perhaps, these men have not shown that they would some day be famous, because of their love of fun and adventure, their roving spirit and delight in trying something new. Their adventurous, care-free minds are often interested, at times, in some great object. Grasping this op-

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THE CHRONICLE. Ill- EDITORIAL We, the members of the staff, wish to thank all pupils and alumni who have helped to make our paper a success. We are deeply grateful to the members of the faculty who have at all times so willingly assisted us. We hope that we have succeeded in placing before the public a paper which shows to them what the students of the high school are accomplishing. We wish success to the members of next year’s staff. As this is the Senior number, we, the graduates, take this opportunity to say goodbye. We have spent a most enjoyable year at the Lyman Hall High School. Although we got lost when we entered this new building in September, we shall henceforth feel so much at home here that we shall feel like wandering back when school opens in 1918. May succeeding classes spend even happier years at the high school. WOODROW WILSON—A EULOGY . (Salutatory Essay) In 1912, when the American people elected for their president a New Jersey college professor, they naturally expected that he would fulfill his duties faithfully and wisely. They could not know then that the next four years would develop a world crisis and the need of a man, big enough to meet that crisis for the whole American nation. It was not necessary that they should know, for the fate that ruled the election directed their choice for their own good. Situations arose, which no one could have foreseen, but the government was in capable hands and the country was never in any real danger. The period following the outbreak of the European war has been compared to that of a half century ago, and the man who was its guiding power has been called the Lincoln of the twentieth century. Feople often think that whenever a man makes a noted success in the world, it is through some genius nature has bestowed upon him. They do not stop to consider how great a part of his success is due to character, the shaping of which is largely in his own hands. Though it may take some degree of genius to execute a public position well, at least what is more necessary than genius is character. Many of the most infamous persons in history were brilliant men, in whose career character was the turning point. It is only when genius and character are combined that we have a truly great man. Such a man is Mr. Wilson, our president, the leader of our nation. As a man, he is thorough, conscientious, sincere. Nothing is left undone that comes within his range of duties. Nothing is done carelessly or halfway, but only according to his high conception of excellence. Nothing is done hypocritically or deceptively, but always with straightforward, manly frankness. Broad minded, liberal, patriotic, we find him in private life a type of ideal citizen. As a public officer, Mr. Wilson in no respect falls behind the standard we might expect of such a man. People have criticised him for being vacillating, for having no policy, for being “too proud to fight.” In the first place, they do not seem to take into consideration the fact that during his administration, situations have arisen, the like of which have never before been known in history. Under such conditions, there could be no definite policy to follow, no precedent to rely upon. To have treated every crisis with machine-like regularity would have been nothing short of stupidity. To act upon each separately, according to its kind, required wis-

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THE CHRONICLE. V. portunity, they enter with all their might upon what interests them, and make a success of their new tasks because after years of wandering the work appeals to them. Throughout all history it has been the men of cool daring, men without fear, men who sacrifice self to attain a desired end, who have accomplished great things for their country and humanity; it is such brave men that the world honors, renowns, and will remember forever. Methods of warfare are continually being changed as science and invention advance, but the leading men of every war are of the same type, even though they may lead in different lines of work. They are the men of strong courage, having a valiant disregard for danger to themselves, though thoughtful of others. Such a leader was General Grant, who rose to fame in the Civil War. Grant’s boyhood had been of a happy, care-free nature; he enjoyed the sports it afforded. He was rather reckless; breaking in horses was a favorite pastime of his, because its excitement appealed to him. When Grant was appointed to West Point, he did not want the honor, and was consoled only by the thought that it would give him a chance to see the world a little, especially New York and Philadelphia, where he tarried for many days to see the sights. Grant’s opportunity came to him at the outbreak of the Civil War, when he volunteered and rose rapidly to the position of General of the Union Army. Even after success and fame rewarded him, he was quiet and unassuming, and was called “the man of silence.” Grant’s greatness was recognized as General in the Civil War and later as President of the United States. Another striking example, who lived more recently, was Admiral George Dewey, a leader in a different line. Dewey commanded the Navy during the Spanish War, and was noted for his coolness and bravery. His love of mischief, while young, was astonishing. Later. George Goodwin of New Hampshire remarked about him, “George is sort of reckless sometimes, but hang me if I can help liking him. He’s honest and full of grit, and he’ll be heard from one of these days.” Surely enough, George was heard from and will never be forgotten. After Grant, a hero of the army, and Dewey, a hero of the navy, came a man, not unlike them in character and ability. This man was Raoul Luf-bery, a hero of the air. Like Grant, he wanted to see the world, and was a silent, unassuming man; like Dewey, no one could help liking him, and like both, his memory will live. At an early age, Lufbery fearlessly set off alone to see the world. Being of a restless nature, fond of excitement and adventure, the life of a wanderer appealed to him. Traveling offered a variety of experiences which Lufbery dearly loved. He was, indeed, a “soldier of fortune,’’ and once said that if he ever settled down, he wanted to do so in Egypt, for there the climate was suited and attractive for vagabonds. He visited many foreign countries, and while in the Philippines, he enlisted. There, for two years, he served his country. When first he beheld the aeroplane, he saw an opportunity to render service and, at the same time, have some excitement. When this war broke out, as Fate would have it, he was in France. Here was his opportunity. He was willing to turn his abilities to the good of humanity and at once offered his services to France to fight for the freedom of the world. France could not claim him except as a righteous cause claims