Malden High School - Maldonian Yearbook (Malden, MA)

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THE MALDONIAN Salutatory Vision Frederick C. Nash “The law of worthy life is fundament¬ ally the law of strife. It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things”, says Roosevelt. But, in ad¬ dition to this, in order that we may profit by our effort, we must be inspired with a clear and true vision of our ultimate object. Columbus’ whole life was devoted to the proving of his statement that the earth was round and that vast tracts of land lay on the other side of the globe un¬ discovered. We cannot but admire his constancy in the face of well nigh insuperable obstacles. Picture his begging his way for twenty years from court to court, first Portugal, then Spain, Italy, and Spain again. Count the years of his life wasted in doggedly following the sovereigns of Spain from place, to place. Imagine the despair that must have overwhelmed him when helpless he saw all interest in his project waning. He was repeatedly refused royal audience with Ferdinand. Such experiences would have daunted even a young man full of hope and courage. What then must have been their effect on a man of fifty-five to whom the years ahead seemed pitifully few? Yet! as always, he maintained his eager search for aid. At last, his persistence was rewarded. We are thrilled with admiration for this man of fifty-five years fighting with all the stamina of twenty to set forth upon an uncharted sea. His was a mag¬ nificent soul! Nor is this spirit the peculiar possession of Columbus alone. There have been many men who have had the vision and held true to it, as did Columbus. In the, field of exploration Magellan -and Peary, in that of ad¬ venture Boone, and in the field of science Bacon and Galileo were con¬ fronted with their own particular difficulties and not one succumbed to them. In the political world, too, Lincoln and Roosevelt valiantly strug¬ gled in defense of their high ideals. Roosevelt’s one desire was to represent his fellow country men, hon¬ estly and sincerely. We have no difficulty in seeing the iniquities and obstructions through which he pushed forward toward this goal. We can see him, a stripling of twenty-five, standing in the New York assembly amid a group of seasoned politicians urging the impeachment of that champion of corruption, Judge Westbrook. How reckless and how rash this move must have appeared to both friends and enemies! Yet, just so, Page 33

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THE MALDONIAN (graduation Program 1. OVERTURE—“Pique Dame” Orchestra 2. “LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY” Chorus 3. SALUTATORY—“Vision” Frederick Copp Nash 4. DUET—“The Passage Birds’ Farewell” Misses Barrett and Lodgen 5. ORATION—“The Undaunted Spirit” Ernestine Westcott 6. ORCHESTRAL SELECTION—“Ave, Maria” VIOLIN SOLO BY HARRY DUBB 7. SOPRANO SOLO—“The Break O’ Day” Reta Davis 8. POEM—“On” F. Von Suppe Elgar Hildach Gounod Sanderson Marjorie Lovell 9. “SONG AT SUNRISE” Manney Girls’ Semi-Chorus solos by Misses Merrill and Varnick 10. VALEDICTORY—“Justice” Eunice Esther Young 11. CANTATA—“Columbus” Hosmer Chorus solos by Ralph Hirtle and Carleton Spreadbury Accompanist Director of Music Director of Orchestra Robert Ewing Harriette M. Perkins John W. Crowley Page 32

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THE MALDONIAN on and on, independent of public opinion, heedless of the admonitions of his conservative friends, he pursued his aim. Unabashed by the supposed political strength of his foes, he struck right and left, calling thieves thieves and crooks crooks. On the, Civil Service Commission he not only checked the “spoils system”, but, in his eagerness, even usurped the chair to reveal the falsehoods of two leading United States Senators. Here is nothing underhand. What he did he was not ashamed to have broadcast over the whole world. He did not conceal the fact that he walked the streets of New York at night to watch the efficiency of the Police Force. It was only through this determined vigilance that he wrought those re¬ markable changes in this branch of service. Everywhere and under every circumstance he carried on an active campaign against political servility. In a letter to Senator Platt he utters these characteristic and significant words: “It is not the business of a governor to ‘carry out the wishes of the organization’ (he refers to the party machine) unless these wishes coincide with the good of the party and of the State. If they do, then he ought to have them put into effect; if they do not, then as a matter of course he ought to disregard them. To pursue any other course would be to show servility; and a servile man is always an undesirable—not to say a contemptible—public servant.” Not even the reputation, age, or position of his opponent could deter him from attack. His influence was so felt in New York while governor that his own Republican party feared him. The “machine” attempted to “shelve” him by electing him to the Vice-Presidency. But, Roosevelt could not be shelved! He succeeded McKinley in the White House. Here was the crisis of his career. I need not enumerate the necessary laws that were passed. I need not name the trusts that he sued or the other work that he accomplished. But, let me say that here he realized the consummation of his vision. The path behind him was blazed by many victories. He had persisted! He had won! This is the spirit of all these men: vision and persistency till the vision has been made actual. Do you not remember the story of Galahad, the purest knight in Arthur’s court, who saw, heard, and felt nothing but the presence of the Holy Grail of which he was in search? “And never yet hath. This Holy Thing, fail’d from my side, nor come Cover’d, but moving with me night and day, Fainter by day, but always in the night Blood-red, and sliding down the blacken’d marsh Blood-red, and on the naked mountain top Blood-red, and in the sleeping mere below Blood-red, and in the strength of this I rode, Shattering all evil customs everywhere, And past thro’ Pagan realms, and made them mine, And clash’d with Pagan hordes, and bore them down, And broke thro’ all, and in the strength of this Come victor.” Such is the feeling of every great soul obsessed with his one great purpose; night and day he pursues and halts not till success crowns his efforts. Page 34