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

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THE CHRONICLE. IX. Thus we see that as before when times seemed darkest, it was Joan of Arc who filled even the dying men with hopes of victory. It is significant and even symbolic that in spite of all the bombardment and devastation, the statue of Joan of Arc is still standing in the square of Rheims Cathedral, uninjured except that the very tip of her sword is blunted by a shell. This seems peculiar since she once said that she did not need a sharpened sword, for after all she was only a woman. Only a woman! Yet no one ever performed a greater service for his country. And the miracle is, that she performed this public service at a time when no woman not of royal birth was permitted even to think of matters outside of her own household duties. To-day the value of woman’s work and intellect is fully recognized. But for them, there would be no Red Cross to lessen the horrors of war. In the business and industrial world women are taking the places of the men who are fighting for their country. Practically no line of activity is closed to them at this time. The influence of women in public life at the present moment is in perfect contrast with the power of woman in the fifteenth century. In one respect the conditions of that time, however, were similar to those of to-day. There was war, war, war! The English were fighting to conquer the French. France under weak leadership was herself continually engaged in civil war. Such was the situation when Joan of Arc was born in 1412. She was only a peasant maid, who excelled all women in Domremy in the art of spinning, and in love of her country. When she saw her countrymen march past her home, prisoners to the invaders, she wept for them. She grieved because nothing could be done to relieve them. Little did she dream that she would some day be their redeemer. The early life of Joan of Arc was a simple and happy one. She did not live in luxury and ease. When she arose early in the morning, it was customary for her to run to the church to pray. Then she assisted her mother in the general tasks about the home. Sometimes she tended the flock but she rejoiced in any duty that was given her. She was always a favorite among the children, yet she was different from the rest. At times -lie would break away and go to the garden to pray. It was a very quiet and secluded spot. It was here that the vision, an armoured knight, first appeared to her, and she was advised by her “voices” as she called them. These came from heaven and told her that she must go to the succor of the king of France and restore his kingdom to him. This seemed an impossibility for a peasant maiden who had never appeared in court. Yet she was urged onward by her heavenly vision. Although her parents opposed and the villagers criticized, she set forth. The king at first refused to receive her but she was finally admitted to his presence. After a long and discouraging delay, he was influenced by her strong faith and gave her a squadron of men. Behold! There she was clad in her white armour, carrying her sword, in her right hand her banner. No longer is there the peasant maiden who used to go to the garden to pray. She with the long, loose peasant’s gown, her hair fastened in a knot, strong brown arms, and bare feet. Nevertheless, it was this same maiden of only seventeen years, who in spite of all obstacles, led the army, went to Orleans, and defeated the English. Shortly afterward she conducted the king to Rheims to be crowned. Hundreds of men voluntarily offered their services to accompany Jeanne D’Arc. The march was one to be remembered. Everywhere they were heralded with delight. Charles VII. was anointed. This had been her mission, now it was fulfilled and Jeanne D’Arc went for joy. Thousands of people came to see

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VIII. THE CHRONICLE. midst of fairly intelligent and genuinely patriotic young Americans. They will salute the flag for you with enthusiasm. They will sing ‘Columbia’ and ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ with more vigor than harmony. They will declaim Webster’s apostrophe to the Union, or cry with Patrick Henry, ‘Give me liberty or give me death.’ ” Thus, through the American public school system, the youthful foreigners are educated and started on the right road to good citizenship. It is common knowledge that intellectual development is necessary for good government. Since all citizens will sooner or later become interested in civic affairs, it is a matter of common welfare to have intelligent men administer government. We can easily feel then, that American educational ideals merge with our ideals of democratic government. Are we sending our young men across the seas only for the purpose of upholding the power of our states? No! They are fighting for the defense and extension of justice; for the recognition of the rights and liberties of small nations; for the recognition of the principle that government derives its just power from the consent of the governed; for the reparation of wrongs done and the erection of adequate safeguards to prevent their being committed again. Who will avenge the Lusitania? Who will vindicate the wrongs of Belgium? Who will face the Huns? Who will dare death to help the wounded? Our young men, the jewels of our nation, are to be sacrificed and given up for the preservation of our political, military and educational ideals, for, our war aims are after all but a union of all the others. They are the citadel of our liberty, of our democracy and the source from which that mighty, everlasting flow of American patriotism comes. In the words of Lincoln: “With malice towards none; with charity for all; with firmness for the right, as God gives us to see right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan— to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.” LONG LIVE AMERICAN IDEALS! May they ever be the supreme aim, the hope and inspiration of all freedom-loving people. Ruth Heilmann ’18 JOAN OF ARC (Valedictory Essay) When in 1914 the Cathedral at Rheims, that wonderful structure which it took hundreds of years to complete, was ruined by the German guns, the minds of the people turned back to the year 1429 when King Charles VII. was crowned in that stately church. The sight of those shattered arches and those gargoyles, in fragments, strengthened in their hearts the love for Joan of Arc, the maiden who long ago had saved France and who had brought her king triumphantly to his coronation. That had been the proudest day that the old cathedral had ever witnessed. Now four hundred years later, amidst the blackened ruins, the French people might well feel discouragement. Yet when the news of the destruction of the cathedral came to the dying soldiers on the battle line, they cried out, “Jeanne D’Arc! Jeanne D’Arc!” “I see her horse!” “Her silver armour flashes!” A soldier who was on the point of death raised himself painfully and said, “Mes camerades, elle est venue!” (My comrades, she has come!)

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X. THE CHRONICLE. the new king and the “maiden from heaven.” Now that her work was accomplished, she asked her voices if she might return to her home but permission was denied her. From now on, Joan of Arc’s fortune turned. At last she was captured by a Burgundian traitor who sold her to the enemy. She was put in a dungeon to live until her death. She who had saved France, now slept with double chains round her limbs, and padlocked to the bed so that she could not stir. One day an English lord came to see her and told her that she would be , freed if she promised never to raise arms against England again. She knew he was mocking her and that they were determined to put her to death. She answered, “Were there 100,000 more men, they would not conquer France.” The English lord was so enraged that he drew his sword, but was stopped by his companion. With the same unconquerable spirit she met her death at Rouen where she was burned at the stake in 1431. When the flames enveloped her, she uttered the single word “Jesus.” Ten thousand men wept. The English cried out, “We are lost, we have burned a saint!” From this time on, the invading army was continually repulsed and finally driven from French soil. So it was, that with God’s aid, Joan of Arc redeemed France. The spirit of the French has been so animated by her deeds that she will live forever in the hearts and lives of all. Even now, when the soldiers look upon the ruins of Rheims, they are not disheartened but determined to conquer. The true patriotism which she possessed has been passed on from generation to generation, and inspired by the memory of Joan of Arc, the success of the French nation is assured. Hulda Kratzke ’18 Parents, Teachers and Friends: In a poem entitled “The Return of Jeanne d’Arc,” the heroine says: “The king For all my pleading, still delayed, But God’s own angels gave me aid, There was a Chinon nightingale That sang all night “You will not fail!” In much the same way it is you who have been our inspiration, who have made us feel we could not fail. Our four years at high school have been made successful by your encouragement, your assistance, and your advice, just as Joan of Arc’s success was made possible by the aid of her “voices,” and her loyal soldiers. Oftentimes when in trouble, we sought help from you. When we became discouraged, it was you who urged us onward. We shall never forget our high school years. To the teachers especially, do we owe our thanks. We are sorry that we shall no longer he with them next year, but we shall ever retain them in our memories. Classmates: We are now on the road to Orleans. It remains to be seen whether we shall succeed or fail. Whatever happens, let us not become discouraged when difficulty arises. Joan of Arc had to climb many rough roads but she reached her goal. Success does not come to those who do not strive for it. therefore we must work to be successful. Just as Joan of Arc conquered the enemy, so let us gain success and go “over the top.” At this time the country will demand many sacrifices of us, and we, as true patriots, must meet them squarely and do all in our power to help our nation. Whatever comes, we all rcoice in the fact that we shall owe much of the best in ur life to the four years we spent in the high school. Hulda Kratzke 18