Norwell High School - Shipbuilder Yearbook (Norwell, MA)

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8 THE SHIPBUILDER When he was defeated by Douglas, after a series of debates, Lincoln, though tired and disappointed, could still cheer his friends with a joke. He said he was like the boy who had stumped his toe, it hurt too bad to laugh, but he was too big to cry. He also added that he was glad he made the race and gave the people his opinion on one of the most important questions of the age, Slavery. He now thought he would be forgotten but found out dif- ferently when he received congratulations from all parts of the country. He also received many invitations to speak in large cities, most of which he declined because of his financial difficulties. He accepted, however, an invitation to speak in New York, where he delivered a notable speech before a large and distinguished audience. Lincoln said he felt uncomforta- ble because he imagined that the people noticed the contrast of his plain western clothes and the neat fitting ones of the other men on the platform. From New York he made a speaking trip through New Eng- land, where he made a deep impression. The strange story of his early life appealed to the people of the North. Upon being asked about the presidency, Lincoln answered that he was am- bitious and would like to become president but didn't think there was any such luck in store for him. Besides he said that there were greater men more fitted for the position. It was not very long after that Lincoln found out that there was such luck as he called it, when he was elected President. But he was not allowed to enjoy the honors he so richly deserved for the White House was no resting place for him because in the hour of his election the Nation was divided, and the men he loved as brothers were rushing headlong into war. But through his great wisdom and courageous spirit Lincoln led them safely through the storm. After the Civil War President Lincoln delivered a speech outlining his policy for reconstruction and binding up the wounds of the Nation, but was criticised already by some of the people for being too kind to the rebels. It was said that he had never been happy since he came to Washington, but the next day on the, fourth anniversary of Fort Sumpter Lincoln at last was happy sharing with his peo- ple the joy that came with the end of the war. But this joy and celebration soon ceased when Abraham Lincoln was shot while attending a theatre. Now both North and South bowed down in grief over the President. Those who had opposed and abused him, now came to understand him in a new light. They reverently folded the body in a flag and carried it first to the White House and Capitol, and then began the journey back to Springfield, Illinois. Everywhere in the cities and towns large crowds gathered heedless of night, rain, or storm, and even in the open coun- tries little groups of farmers could be seen by the roadside

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THE SHIPBUILDER 7 - 0 Q 0 0 0 0 0 ogge 0 0 Q0 70 0770 Q0 O QOYWMO O7 999040 225' '0's'0' ' '0'x:'o' '0'zz'0' '0'OQ'0' ?'0':z'0 -'0' 5 '0'z:'0' '0'zO '0' '0'z0'0' '0'a'0' ?'0'90'0' 5.5: I Q' v 0:0 0,0 i l i gg O0 90 Oz. I I I .IQ ,:, .4 y l I i Q Q 0,0 0,0 gg O6 O. 090 0 0 QQ 0 e-900 N 0 00 0990 og 0 0 9 O Q0 0000 Ox 0 4 , Y, x:0.0-000,250--o.0x:0,0-000,20.o- - 0.000001 -- 0 20.0--0, 0,0i0,0..0.0-0.0.z0.070.0g:0.0 0.02.03 -0.0,.0.c 0.0,, The following essay won the Lincoln Medal this year, offered by the Illinois Watch Company, Illinois. ABRAHAM LINCOLN The simple life of Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest presidents of the United States, has inspired millions of peo- ple, and will inspire millions more, because it shows how one American by his own honest efforts rose from the most humble beginning to the highest position of worth and honor. The few books from which he got his education, the light of the pine logs by which he studied, the axe with which he split rails, the first sight of slaves in which his sympathetic soul revolted against, were all laden with intense- interest by which Lincoln slowly built his great character. As a motherless boy living in the pitiless poverty of the back woods, Lincoln learned both humility and appreciation. From his gentle step-mother he learned the beauty of kind- ness, and his great suffering taught him deep sympathy. As a clerk in a small store that failed, as a defeated candi- date for Legislature, as a student of law, and as successful can- didate for Legislature Lincoln learned to love his fellowmen, to get along with them, and at the same time to build a reputation for honesty. And when his fellowmen returned his great love for them, making him president of the Republic he still remained a brother of the common people. At the age of nineteen Lincoln was six feet, two inches tall, weighed one hundred and fifty pounds, had long arms and legs, large awkward hands and feet, but not a large head. He is pictured wearing a coon skin cap, a linsey, woolsey shirt, and buckskin breeches, which were often too short. As Lincoln was deeply interested in Law he was diligent in his Law practice, and through his hard work became rapidly known as an excellent lawyer. Though he was called homely there was a commanding dignity about his presence. False or careless witnesses feared his. cross examination, and his opponents dreaded his effectiveness in handling a case before a Jury. His friends loved him for his simplicity of life, his genuine kindness, and his lack of selfishness. He also was referred to as Honest Abe for his honesty. In all his life which had its ever heavy sorrows, these years as a lawyer were probably the brightest to him. He liked the confidence of the people, and the devotion of his friends. His great sympathy for men gave him great influence over them.

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THE SHIPBUILDER 9 watching for the train and waving their lanterns in a sad farewell. The people saw how different it might have been if Lincoln continued to live. How his great influence would have helped in the solution of the Nation's problems after the war. He had finished successfully the most important and most difficult task ever given to man in all history. - ANNA MAZUR '28. MEDITATIONS OF A FRESHMAN As I sit at my radio set and tune in for a certain station, at train of thought comes to my mind and I listen to these unconnected snatches that I hear as I turn my dials and compare them to the seemingly unrelated experiences of my daily life. How disjointed it all seems, a lesson here, a smile there, or perhaps a tear. To go on with the analogy-cannot my radio typify to me progress out of confusion? After the general procedure of tuning in accompanied by squealing, static and mean- ingless sounds the words come clearly to my ears. This is station W. N. A. C. the Shepard stores, Boston. You will now hear the latest news concerning the Lindbergh flight. Plane sighted two hundred miles off coast from Paris. Expected to land about 5.30 p. m. We are now signing oi at 3.20 p. m. Waltham Time. Again I turn the dials to receive a new station. I stop to tune in, and hear the announcement that the next number to be played is, When the Pussy Willow Whispers to the Catnip. After listening awhile, I turn the dials to another station. This time I hear- A radio talk by Willard DeLue of the Globe on Prominent Affairs at the White House. Another station brings a book review by John Clair Minot -another a laugh by Will Rogers, and so on down through the list. Thus our experiences come to us with jazz and symphony crowding upon each other without rythme and reason. How like our own experiences are the turning of these' dials on the radio. All our lives we receive new impressions which we cannot correlate, a smattering of information here and there, something entirely different at each time. It often ca-uses me to think how little concentration there seems to be at the present day and to question whether we are making real progress or simply marking time. But strange upon strange comes the contradictory thought that if men had not con- centrated and devoted their time and energy to good purpose, we would not have the radio itself. So the analogy takes another turn and the answer is as far away as ever. Alas, it is too deep a problem for the mind of a simple freshman, and she turns the question into the hands of wisdom and humbly submits these thoughts to the learned seniors. C. R., '30-