Norfolk High School - Milestone Yearbook (Norfolk, NE)

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YoUtfG America. OUTIOI, CUSS 0? '90. J X 1492. a little band of adventurers set out across the dreaded and unknown A Atlantic. At their head was a man who claimed that the earth was round; and he was willing to risk his life to prove it. In his attempt to do so, he discovered a new world to which people flocked in quest of gold, and of religious and political liberty, until our fertile coast had a population of several millions. Later these people showed themselves truly American by asserting and establishing their independence and framing a government which has ever since been the marvel of the world. Since that time, under the invigorating influence of freedom, these people have continually advanced in wealth and numbers. The weakness of the infant nation has become the proud strength of a Great Republic. Patriotism, Freedom and Progress have made American citizenship a prouder title than ever Roman claimed, and the rising generation of every land envies the reputation for energy, patriotism, and intelligence which distinguishes Young America. Among the characteristics of the American l oy is his love of independence, so well shown at Lexington, Hunker Hill and Saratoga, and so well voiced by hundreds of patriot orators from that time till now. In every crisis of our history, it was Young America who responded with greatest eagerness to the call of his country. It was Young America who thronged the streets of Philadelphia and welcomed with lustiest shouts th1 first peal of old Independence Bell. And is it not Young America who celebrates the Fourth of July, and keeps alive the memory of the founders of our Republic? The American l»oy is no longer compelled to participate in bloody contests for the welfare of his land; the time of foreign oppression is happily

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24 THK MILESTONE. of the patriots who purchased our birthright, we never shall dishonor; but the war upon the invasion of evil and ignorance now is inaugurated in the American home. Industrious armies respond daily to the roll call of drill and development. “All in arms, All plumed like eetridges that wing the wind. Rater! like eagles having lately bather!; Glittering in golden coats like images; As full of spirit as the month of May. Thirty millions of these young hearts, train under the most lieneficent educational generalship in the world. The evolution of the present out of the past bespeaks a forthcoming millennium. With an educational sentiment founded upon the deepest emotions of love and purity; with justice administered as never before; with public favor on the side of right and truth; with a guardianship of Christian truth and character; “Let us believe with all our hearts that out of the high-hearted dreams of wise and good men about our country, time, however invisibly and inscrutably, is, at this moment, slowly hewing the most colossal and resplendent result in History.” Alik I. Johnson.

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26 Til K MtliKSTONE. passed, but he still has enough to do to maintain the supremacy of our national reputation, to prepare himself for the intelligent discharge of his duties as a citizen; and his love of country is not cold and formal, but will stand the test of time. Benedict Arnold is as well known to American boys ns George Washington; and he is as thoroughly hated for his treason as Washington is loved for his patriotism. Show me the American boy who docs not reverence the Stars mid Stripes! As he beholds it floating in the breeze, its stars to him are real, its lines of white represent the heroic purity of his forefathers, and those of red are dyed with their patriot blood, shed in defense of a righteous cause. Should he be called upon, either to defend or assert his country’s rights, lie would yet hail the sword as a sacred weapon; for, if it has sometimes taken the form of a serpent and been gorged with the blood of the oppressor, it has more often been wrought into peaceful forms to assist the mechanic in his work or to deck the freeman’s brow. For truthfulness, Young America is also distinguished. In this respect, as in others, he follows the illustrious example of the Father of his country. Still, if we read the prominent papers or listen to the eloquence of campaign speakers, we arc led to think that some Americans have outgrown this natural tendency. When the farmer is told that the tariff makes high prices for grain and low prices for iron, and the iron manufacturer is told that it makes high prices for iron and low prices for grain, we cannot but wish that the Father of his Country had lived a couple of centuries longer, and given a few practical object lessons on his specialty in every community. In no respect, however, is the Young American more distinctly in advance of the boys of other nations than in inventive genius. What boy has not studied out the philosophy of a kite, made a battery, or spoiled his mother's knives trying to plate them; and what boy has not demanded a machine to bring in the coal, milk the cow, and do the churning? Few young Americans have not worked harder, twice over, building a machine to save him some little task than would have been necessary to do the work in the good old way. To these characteristics, however, we owe the development of this