Milford High School - Oak Lily and Ivy Yearbook (Milford, MA)

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THE ' OAK, LILY AND IVY. 29 TO MOTHER—Sonnet. I write to you whose image still I hold Deep in my heart, though you have long since gone. Each day you come to me at early dawn To strengthen me and in your arms enfold. If you were here I’d give a world of gold For life is very dreary now- you’re gone, And everything is Night. There is no Morn, For you’re not here to cheer me as of old, And as I stumble on through Life’s dark maze, I fear to look behind for I might fall, And hours seem years until the goal is near. “How long,” I ask, “Until the Heavenly rays Shall beck’n me on, that I may hear your call, And meet you face to face, Oh Mother Dear!” Edith T. Rose, ’20. THE RED MENACE. It is with pity and distrust that civilization looks upon Russia today; pity for the helplessness of the masses of men, women, and children; distrust for the stained and grim hand that has reached forth and mercilessly grasped the very roots of civil organization and crushed the life from it. That same hand has worked the havoc of war and revolution among an illiterate class of people, ren¬ dering them senseless to the joys of political organization from which they have so recently been deprived. Since 1914, Russia has been subjected to a complete deterioration in every walk of life. When the armies of the world went forth to fight for the preservation of the various countries, Russia was ranked with the European industrial centers. Although the majority of the nation’s people were without an education, the way might soon have opened to the establishment of an excellent school system. Six years of notable history have passed since the beginning of hostilities and Russia is now a corrupted state—complete devastation has been wrought in every line of commercial industry, every part of the country ' s productive ability. Political, social and economical affairs lie in ruin. The hands of the government——such as j t i s —i s controlled by the mob, the most ungovernable band of people that exists in Europe. Anarchy and ruin are manifest everywhere, and the pitiable eyes of the helpless, the homeless and the poverty-stricken families gaze to the world, begging for aid. The burning fever of chaos has become a universal menace, affecting the populace of practically every nation in the world. America has not been unsusceptible to the “Red” influence. Perhaps more than any other country, Russia excepted, the United States has been the storm-center of Bolshevism. Our wide field of industry has served as an allurement to the “Red ” alienists who are continually spreading their propaganda throughout the world. The result: Strikes, throwing millions of men out of employment, increased prices and many destitute families forced to retire to the slums of the cities. However great has been the diffusion of the Bolshevik propaganda in the United States, -it has not worked the havoc of Austria. The condition of that country under the Karolyi Government was indeed sad; when the Soviets of

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28 THE OAK, LILY AND IVY. scarred by his struggles but determined to play the game and play fair to the very end. The man with a clear conscience gained through fair play among? his fel¬ low men is the only one who is able to go to his Maker unafraid, and present his earthly account with a happy heart eager to hear the magic words, “Well done, My good and faithful Servant.” The only key to the garden of happiness is the key of 1 faithful service. It is decorated with the jewels of a clear conscience received as rewards. The pot of gold which can be found at the foot of the rainbow where the earth and sky join in a friendly union is “Contentment.” The one who continually grumbles because his particular position in the world does not please him will never reach the end of the rainbow, but will chase the flitting bluebird until it disappears over the horizon for he will have reached the “Forest of Darkest Gloom” through which this happy creature will never journey. The people in this life whom all the world love and honor are invariably those who through contentment are at peace with all. For where contentment reigns there is no jealousy and ill feeling. And yet one should try fairly to merit a better position in this world by hard and conscientious striving, for “Lack of Ambition” is a boon companion of un¬ happiness, and “Hope for the Future” leads on to the end of ' our quest. Love and consideration for those around us is one of the most powerful weapons we may employ in conquering the formidable hosts of unhappiness. It is forgetful¬ ness of self and wholehearted endeavor to be of service to others which will bring peace to a troubled mind, and make the lights of happiness kindle and glow in tired eyes, reflecting the light of peace which has come to a troubled soul through love. And so the world over, we will find that the “Holy Grail” in our crusade against unhappiness will be the combination of the three great virtues, Faith, Hope, and Love. When we have discovered the value of these three we have reached the end of our quest and the most cherished possession of man—happiness full and unrestrained. One Who is Chasing Bluebirds. LIFE—Sonnet. O Life, you endless stream of woe and pain, Each day new scenes reval to helpless eyes Your mysteries; yet still your course denies An unobstructed- view. A few may gain The broad still waters of success; attain A brief respite from worldly cares. Still lies The portage charted only by surmise Where human chattels must remain And man’s own merit show his caste. The pure Of soul alone may cross this Great Divide On confidence. Beyond its shades the light Of comprehension has not strayed. Its lure O’ercomes resistence. Man must always ride On wings of Death through holy, peaceful night. John L. Davoren, ’20.

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30 THE OAK, LILY AND IVY. Russia attacked the country, the condition became almost indescribable, so deplor¬ able were the sights that met the eyes of the outside world. With the signing of the armistice, the period of reconstruction came. The governments of all Europe needed a rebuilding of their industries, which were so sadly neglected during the war. The methods of government control exercised by the Bolsheviki did not warrant a peaceful reconstruction period. This idea of rule paved the way for the great question which looms before all: How can a reform of corrupted Europe be effected when the dominant hand of Bolshevism is foremost in the work? The answer, beyond the powers of ordinary intellect, re¬ mains unknown. Like the “face at the window ’ the ghastly figure of Bolshevism appears at every opening to progress. In few instances is the figure repulsed, for the force with which it comes is lasting. Its aim is a complete world domination; starva¬ tion and revolution lead to the way of an unavoidable submission. But return¬ ing to Russia, the center of the dreaded menace, we must not forget that that country was the first to make peace with the enemy. Has she succeeded in securing that which every other country has to the greatest extent secured? No! Her gain from the war was to attack every nation possible and bring disaster to them. The havoc of war left devastation everywhere within range of the enemies’ guns. Yet such devastation has since been many times multiplied in more terrible ways both to the people and land. Civil war has cost many lives; it has brought on a con¬ dition that is a disgrace to civilization. Barbarism and terrorism have walked hand in hand throughout the nation. The morality of Russia at large has de¬ creased to a very low ebb. Churches are now theatres and manners are hardly known to the people. Russia is living an atavistic period. It is almost incredible to ascribe to any nation the awfulness with which the Russian officials have per¬ mitted such atrocities to develop into an international menace. The Bolshevistic doctrines have too great a likeness to the practices of the Reign of Terror to appeal to the average individual. The leading principal— Lenine—has too great a leaning toward wholesale butchery of innocent people to attract the spirit of the world today. It is thus that the shadow of Soviet Russia falls on the pathway of enlight¬ enment from war, casting a gloom over the world. Civilization stands in cring¬ ing horror, crying for the combined aid of the world to put down the abhorred Bolshevism, already too far gone to recover from its painful misery. The Blue Bird. SALVAGE. The world is indeed progressing. A new era of humane understanding aided by the wonderful advance in science and medicine has greatly improved the lot of the helpless and the unfortunate. But there still remains a crying need for re¬ form. Two conditions arising from our social system especially need revision. The first is our method of maintaining order and punishing the wrongdoer,, the second our attitude toward maternity and the necessity of government aid for mothers. Both have an important bearing on our national welfare and both have been shamefully neglected. We call ourselves progressive and democratic yet in our own republic, the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world, we have permitted social evils to survive that more properly belong to the Middle Ages. Engrossed in more material pursuits, we have neglected the most important of all, —the welfare of our fellow man. Especially has this been true in our prison system. Our prisons to a large