Oakfield High School - Oak Leaves Yearbook (Oakfield, WI)

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HAROLD D. BENNETT HELEN HATCH

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Again we find Washington, in 1789, founding the new government and laying the cornerstone of a great nation. lie has thus in the hearts of of his people been first in war, first in peace, and first among their many beloved idols. It was once said of him, “His life is the most valuable in America. There never was a man that might be more safely trusted nor a time when there was a louder call.” Shelly wrote, “As a warrior and statesman, he was righteous in all he did, unlike all who lived before or since; he never used his power but for the benefit of his fellow creatures. A man was needed who possessed a commanding power over the popular passions but over whom those possessions had no power. That man was Washington.” It would be useless to dwell upon the traits of character which made George Washington a national benefactor and a national idol. But because of the wisdom which he showed in the cabinet, valor in the field, and patriotism in both, he has been called the first and greatest pilot. There are three scenes in Daniel Webster’s life which mark three stages in his wonderful career. First, his father’s moans were limited. The narrow circumstances seemed to restrict his boyish ambitions to the humblest walk of life. However his father was determined that his boy should have an education. Webster’s school days were days of privation and yet he made great advance in acquiring knowledge, and was considered the quickest boy in school. He had a very good memory, learned many verses from the Bible and even learned the Constitution from a handkerchief. He attended Dartmouth College, graduated in 1801, and became a teacher. His dignity, even temper, and firmness commanded the respect of his pupils. Second, while a United States senator from Massachusetts, he heroically defended his New England from the attacks of Senator Hayne of South Carolina. It was here that he rendered his greatest services that can never be forgotten and which made him a national benefactor. It was here that he grandly stood forth as a parliamentary orator, a master of eloquence. This was the period of Webster’s greatest popularity as the defender of Northern industries which made him the idol of the merchants and manufacturers of New England. At this point, when he combatted secession and defended the Union, delaring, “It is one, and to be forever united in all its parts,” doubtless culminated the fame and intellectual power of Daniel Webster. Third, in 1852 Webster now quite an old man, crippled by an accident, stood on the rostrum of Faneuil Hall in Boston. He had not long since lost a part of his great popularity, in consequence of the course he had taken upon the slavery question and many of his former friends had fallen away. How fitting are the words of Whittier in showing his status in the declining years of his life. “All else is gone; from those great eyes The soul has fied! When faith is lost, when honor dies, The man is dead.”

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He was a genius, a great power in the land, a defender of the nationality of the states, an expander of the Federal Constitution and unalterably devoted to the perpetuity and integrity of the Union. His defects were pride, austerity, passions, extravagance but these were overbalanced by the warmth of his affections for his faithful friends, simplicity of manner and taste, courteous treatment of opponents, dignity of character, kindness to the poor, hospitality, enjoyment of rural scenes and sports, profound religious instincts, devotion to what he deemed the welfare of the country, independence of opinions and boldness in asserting them at any hazard and against all opposition, and unbounded contempt of all lies, shams and tricks. I hose traits have made his memory dear to all who knew him and because of his groat deeds, he has become one of our nation’s idols. Abraham Lincoln was also born a poor boy at a time when the country was in a poor condition, owing to the depression of trade and commerce. In Abe’s boyhood he was obliged to help support the family and consequently he early learned the use of the axe, maul aad wedge. Altho he had little opportunity to secure an education, he acquired a great love for reading, and each spare moment found him with a book. His desire for reading was so intense that he even carried a book to the field with him and sat up late at night reading by the glow of pine knots. He road of famous men and copied they sayings and when he began the study of anything he was never satisfied until he succeeded in getting to the root of all. He was for some years a lawyer in Springfield and nevertook a case unless he considered it just. Early in life Lincoln began the study of the slavery question and had formed a definite purpose of trying to accomplish its abolition. When he was elected to the presidency he realized that the nation put in his trust, was in danger of dissolution and war as a result of differences upon the slavery question. Rea'izing that to preserve the Union was his first duty and that the abolition of slavery was only secondary he heroically faced the problem of saving this nation with slavery rather than destroy slavery at the expence of national destruction. What other man was there who could have better taken charge of the government and guided the nation thru the Civil War, and proved to the South that the Union could not be destroyed ( He was so loved and adored that he was chosen for a second term, but only a few days of the second term had passed when he was shot in cold blood by an assassin. The nation mourned a great loss. Patient in defeat. calm in victory, Abraham Lincoln was recognized as a true savior of his country. The chief magistrate whose administration quelled a rebellion of eight millions of people, set free four million slaves, and vindicated the ability of the people, under all contingences, to maintain the government which rests upon their will, whose wisdom and unspotted integrity of character secured his re-election, a id who, finally, when his work was done, found his martyrdom which came to round his life and set the final seal upon his renown, has filled a place hitherto unoccupied in the annals of the world.