Norfolk High School - Milestone Yearbook (Norfolk, NE)

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THE MILESTONE. 17 VVliat love is there higher or greater than love of country? A man’s first, duty is to his country. If it were not so, our fathers and brothers would not break the home ties to protect the land which gave them birth. Ah, no! Of what material is a man made who cares naught for his home land? He is as Shakespeare says of the man who has no music in his soul, fit for strategems. treasons and spoils.” “Breathes there the mail with soul so dead. Who never to himself hath said. This is my own, my native laud! Whose heart hath ne’er within him burned, As home his footsteps he hath turned, From wandering on a foreign strand!” It is, indeed, gratifying to note the patriotic spirit shown on the part of the young American at the present exciting crisis. When it appears we are to protect and shield this land we are pleased that such an universal spirit is shown. When our government declared war why did our boys become so enthused ? They left fathers, mothers and sisters to join the ranks. Do they wish to gain fame and honor? Yes; but the love they have for their country is far deeper. Patriotism is the strongest. It stands out more distinctly in their natures than notoriety. Yet, some bright, intelligent Americans are almost devoid of patriotism. It was said, were we to engage in war it would promote patriotism. Hut would not this be rather dear means by which to instill it? Every one should possess it, Americans above all. Old Glory should never be unfurled but each one should feel proud that it is the emblem of liberty, and, “forever to wave o’er ihe land of the free and the home of the brave.” Why is such a feeling of sympathy manifest with our down-trodden sister nation? For over a hundred ye rs we have tasted liberty. We have been an independent nation. We have found our republic government to be the best, and, as a civilized and moral people, we would gladly see other capable nations enjoying freedom. We would have them sing as do we: Sweet land of liberty.” Sweet because our fathers died for it; sweet because it is our native land. Sweet are its rocks and rills, but sweeter still because it is the land of the free! Free! yes, free! That is the cry of the oppressed island. Their native country is far too dear to their hearts, and freedom far too sweet to be ruled and oppressed by another nation. And as this same nation has already shown us hostilities Strike—for your altars and your fires. Strike—for the green graves of your sires, God and your native laud. {g® Enthusiasm. MAGDALENE SIEGLER. The essential element in every great undertaking is expressed by one word, and that is Enthusiasm.” It contains the true secret of nearly all the wonderful successes which have astonished the world. It solves the problems of nearly all heroes whose achiev-ments are recorded on the pages of history, and w hose names will live forever in the remembrance of mankind. In the past. how’ few’ people do we find w ho have risen

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Salutatory. C. LENA MILLS. Ladies and Gentlemen: Your bright and smiling faces assure us that you are pleased to again witness another graduation exercises of the Norfolk high school. On behalf of the Class of ’9S, I extend to you a most cordial and hearty welcome to this, the tenth commencement of our high school. This is the largest class that has ever greeted you on a similar occasion. and we bid you welcome. Tonight seventeen young men and women step out from the common public school into that greater and wider school, the world. No class has ever yet experienced a more profitable high school course, nor had a brighter future before them. We feel confident that so talented and energetic a class as this, the Class of ’9S, will fill some of the best and highest positions that the great world offers to wide awake, fame-seeking young men and women. Each one will go forth and tight the battles of life, as did the gallant knights of old, with bravery, honor and success. But should we fail to reach a high standard, or to meet with great success, it will not lie a lack of faithful and earnest labor But we will do our best to become worthy men and women. Again we bid you welcome. “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.” No words ever written or spoken are dearer to the human heart than these. It matters not if it be in the sunny land of Scotland, under Italian skies, or on English soil. It seems very strange, indeed, to us, liberty loving Americans, born upon a free soil, that the tenants of England are so true to their country. Many of them are compelled, from year to year, to live in houses of one small room, containing seven or eight occupants. The poor wife, whether in delicate health or not, lives without almost the common necessities of life. The children have scarcely sufficient clothing to protect them from winter’s cruel breath. The lords lead a life of ease and luxury, yet they are no more country-loving than are their tenants. But should it not be thus? Though strange it may seem to us, is it not their native land? “Man, through all-ages of revolving time. Unchanging man, in every varying clime, Deems his own land of every laud the pride, Belov'd of heaven o’er all the world beside : His home, the spot of earth supremely blest. A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.

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IS THE MILESTONE. to any distinction or gained any reputation and become truly great, who were not enthusiastic? With what great enthusiasm was Columbus inspired! Consider the disheartening difficulties and vexatious delays, the doubts of the skeptical, the sneers of the learned, the cavils of the cautious, and the opposition, or at least the indifference of nearly all! And then the dangers of the unexplored ocean! Is it by any means probable he would have persevered, had he not possessed the earnest enthusiasm which was characteristic of the great discoverer! Think of the conflict with Spain now! There hasn't been such a great excitement in the senate for thirty years, as within the last two or three months. The senators became so enthusiastic over the subject that they could hardly await the time when the president should declare war. What is it that compels so many of our boys to leave their homes, their parents, sisters and brothers, their sweethearts, to go to war? Is it not their enthusiastic love of their country? They are so enthusiastic that they forget the dangers they will encounter. They are willing to sacrifice their lives for their country. During the Revolutionary War, a British officer visited with Fiances Marion. After partaking of a meal which consisted of baked potatoes, salt and water, the British officer said to Marion: How is it that your soldiers are satisfied with such simple meals? Our soldiers have much better meals than yours, still they are never content.” Marion replied: “Our soldiers are fighting for their liberty!” The British officer said In would resign: he did not care to tight such brave soldiers. These soldiers were enthusiastic enough to endure all the hardships, just, to attain their rights to see their country free. The Declaration of Independence would not have been signed so readily, had not some of the speakers been so enthusiastic. Patrick Henry, in his speech, said: (live me liberty or give me death!” The earnestness or enthusiasm of the speakers carried the day. Charles Dickens said: “There is no substitute for thoroughgoing, ardent and sincere earnestness.” What was it that induced Harriet Beecher Stowe to write her great book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin?” Day after day she saw and heard how cruelly some of the slaves were treated. Her enthusiasm to help the slaves became so great, that she began to write her book, hoping that she would move people to sympathize with the negroes, thus helping them to obtain their freedom or at least to be treated more like human beings. You all know what good this book has done for the negroes. So it is in everyday life, the enthusiastic people rise to the top of the ladder, while those who do not care, remain where they are. or slowly descend. In the school it is also true. The earnest, enthusiastic pupils gain the highest ranks. They are the leaders of their classes. and. as they step into the larger school of life, they never cease to advance. Kmerson justly said: “Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm.” Economy Essential to Progress. NELLIE VIOLET DINGMAN. The labor problem is the most