Norfolk High School - Milestone Yearbook (Norfolk, NE)

Page 12 text:

NJ tional ©l] amcter. Jennie Bawden. [This Oration won the Gold Modal at tho Hitfh School Oratorical Contest of North Nebraska, April 3, 1891.] The life of the individual is symbolic of the life of the nation, for by the character of the citizen the national character is judged. How thoroughly the early Romans understood this! From infancy the child was taught to endure all hardships and to believe that what was done for the nation no matter how much it interfered with personal enjoyments was just and right. All were subjected alike to the severest tests. The sternness of Horatius who stabbed his sister for weeping over the death of an enemy of his country seems to us inhuman. But the effects of such loyalty and patriotism can never be effaced. Step by step Rome rose until she became mistress of the world. As Rome advanced in power, gradually, almost imperceptibly. fliis sternness, this honest poverty which had elevated the Roman character gave way, the extravagance and effeminacy of the conquered nations taking its place. What a contrast is there between the frugal meals of the early patricians and the magnificent banquets where a single dish cost hundreds of dollars; between Brutus, tearless at, the execution of his children, and a senator weeping at the death of a fish. To secure office bribery was carried to such an extent that a Roman said: “Ah, venal city, and destined quickly to perish if it but find a purchaser!” Barbarous tribes began to make serious inroads and at length the imperial city was sacked. France under Charlemagne was the most powerful country

Page 11 text:

VOLUME III. NORFOLK, NEBR., MAY 28, 1891. NUMBER I. Njumker Tf|ree. The Milestone, our school annual, is before you. Following the example set by ’89 and ’90 the class of ’91, although small in numbers, keep up the custom. The record of the year is written upon our hearts and minds. The lessons are parts of ourselves, bearing fruit, according to the soil. Some of the results of the year’s work are given here. To the members of the class of ’92 the Seniors wish to return thanks, warm and cordial, for the aid rendered in the program for commencement, and for the numberless little kindnesses that go to make life cheerful and happy. The productions of the Juniors, as given upon the program, are in this volume. We bespeak for this class a bright joyous S nior year. To the business men of the city we return our hearty thanks for their liberal patronage of our advertising pages. May this Milestone bring back memories of happy school days as in years to come we turn its pages and recall the days of the “auld lang sine.”

Page 13 text:

THE MILESTONE. 9 of all Europe. This great king revised the laws, established schools, and founded the first university in Europe. With h 11 these improvements frugality and nobility of character were everwhere taught and practiced. Under Charlemagne’s successors a greater portion of the kingdom was lost and the remainder fell from its high estate. When the Bourbons came into power the country was once more elevated, the aim now being to make the people happy and prosperous. As the nation increased a grand political scheme was devised to unite all Europe into one vast Christian republic; to refer every petty dispute to an international congress instead of settling these vexing questions by the sword. After this the empire again began to decay, the poor were oppressed, the clergy and nobles became corrupt. The court presented such scenes of gayety as have never been surpassed. The poor man. the taxpayer, was oppressed, completely ignored and slowly reduced to slavery. This is always an infallible token of weak governing power. The laboring class is the strongest element in a nation and as long as its rights are respected all must prosper. Finally the national character was so degraded in France that the worship of God was set aside. The Goddess of Reason, a woman of the town, was placed on high. A nation with men and women in such a degraded state could not exist long and in the time of Louis XVI. the citizens are no longer men but demons. Where in history are recorded such brutal deeds as those committed during the Reign of Terror! On the other side of the globe exists a nation that has furnished more noble characters than any other. In its infancy the foundation was well laid. The men were willing to endure every hardship for the sake of worshiping God according to the dictates of their own conscience. The women shared their husband's burdens and were robbed of every comfort. This they endured that they might live in a land where their children should be untainted by infidelity and licen tiousness. Is it strange such a people should grapple with the most powerful nation on the globe and be victorious? They knewr they were on the side of right and that God is always with the righteous. His blessing was invoked ami freely