Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 2 5 CHARLES A. LANGWORTHY As noted elsewhere in this issue of the Reflector, Prof. Langworthy, who has been principal of our high school during the past year, will return to Michigan, his home state, at the close of school. It is his purpose there to engage, next year, in teaching the more advanced courses of College English. Prof. Langworthy is a literary scholar of unusual talent and attainments; and in his class work in the Paxton high school, he has shown himself to be an instructor of rare ability. There can be no doubt that Mr. Langworthy will achieve notable success in some department of original literary work. During the past year. Reflector readers have been favored by a number of short articles from his gifted pen. The one in this issue entitled, “Your Vacation will be read and re-read many times by those students who love ‘brooks and books’; who see the unity of literature and life, the harmony of nature and universal law—indeed by all who have heard Wordsworth’s inspiring call, “Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher.” “Your Vacation” is a literary gem. Its message shines forth as clear, as pure, as beautiful as a crystal in the glow of a noon-day sunbeam; and its verbal expression has the charm of music and rythm—the melodies of a heart that throbs in sympathetic unison with the pulsings of Nature in the Universe of Life and Love and Light. Thanks for this message; and, “may the choicest spirts of the world’s wisest and best, ever stoop from the bending heavens to bless and inspire O. .T. BAINUM.

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24 THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR (Ditr (Cnnumuimurut (Oratnr Dr. .Unlitt UJrrrtttr Driitrr The Class of 1909 are specially well pleased with the selection of Dr. Driver by the Board of Education for their commencement orator. Dr. Driver has appeared before Paxton audiences several times in the past in connection with our lecture courses, and his return is always welcome. His theme for commencement occasions this year is “Young America, and His Mission . Those who have heretofore heard him can easily imagine what an inspiring address will be delivered on this appropriate and suggestive theme. It is said of Dr. Driver that “He is one of the extremely rare paradoxes: A public man who dislikes publicity,” but the following epitome of his life history, interests, taste, and character has been obtained from one who knows him. “ A man yet under 50, born at Mt. Vernon, 111.; educated in Boston; widely-traveled; an omnivorous reader; a prodigious student; like all people possessing the artistic temperament, a man of moods and tenses; fiaming-tongued when speech is required, but usually silent; witty, humorous, companionable when finally reached, but naturally a recluse, subject (we suspect) to seasons of profound melancholy and loving the northern light and solitude of his study with its books and pictures and their treasures; a musician of international repute yet rarely touching an instrument; distinguished as a clergyman and platform -orator; in religion, broadly orthodox; in politics, a Roosevelt democrat. “His semi-invalid wife is his sweetheart, Mr. Opie Read, the famous novelist and dramatist, is his next-door neighbor and chum, and he has friends and acquaintances in many parts of the world. “He has written some successful books, composed some popular music, and acquired some valuable Chicago real estate. “He has given largely of his earnings to charity, was for years the honorary president of The American Home-Finding Association, and is especially interested in boys and young men.” The message of such a man, to a commencement audience, and to a graduating class will be of more than passing interest.

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THE f'AXTOX HIGH SCHOOL RE ELECTOR 2 6 CLASS ORATION. By John Karl Moffett ALEXANDER HAMILTON—SOLDIER. STATESMAN, MARTYR. It has been said that events occur, but that ideas endure; that events are transient, while ideas are permanent in their influence and power. It sometimes happens, however, that events inspire ideas; it therefore follows that some events are of enduring interest. Such an event occurred on the insignificant little island of Santa Cruz, in the West Indies, in the year 1770. It wus only a tropical hurricane of no more importance than any other of the half score or more fierce wind storms, that annually sweep over the southern groups of the West Indies. Alexander Hamilton, “The Orphan Roy of Nevis.” a lad of perhaps thirteen years of age, witnessed that storm which tossed great ships upon the rocks near the harbor, which tore massive trees from their roots, and lifted villages from their foundations, and threw them into the raging sea. While the bravest men fled in terror into caves, the fearless Alexander watched, the terrible tempest from a sheltered ledge of rock on a mountain side. The passing event created so great an impression upon his mind that—mere youth as he was—he wrote a vivid description of it and sent it, unsigned to the only newspaper then upon the island. When the people read it, they were astonished at the vividness of the description. Nobody knew who the author was; but the Governor set to work to discover the unknown literary artist. When the youthful author was discovered, enthusiasm was unbounded. Funds were contributed by the Governor, the people, anj the youth’s relatives to send the talented young writer to the American Colonies to be educated. This event, in the life of Alexander Hamilton, resulted in giving to America the man of whom it is said, He, more than any other of our early statesmen, could do the thinking of his time”; the man whom John Marshall ranked with the immortal Washington. With the flash of the first ‘flint-lock’, which ignited the slumbering fires of the American Revolution, Alexander Hamilton, a youth of eighteen, took up arms for the country of his adoption. He immediately left King’s college. New York City, and for seven years consecrated all his energy, all his talent, and all his genius to the cause of political freedom. He entered the army a mere soldier, but it was not long, until his superiors saw the spark of genius in the eyes of this dark West Indian. He was placed in charge of an artillery company. He devoted all his time and energy to his charge, and it was but a few weeks until his company was everywhere recognized as the best that the colonies could afford. Washington became much attached to the modest and the intelligent youth. He realized the depth of the boy’s character. He admired the fearless courage displayed by this young hero, on the firing line. Washington became so infatuated with Hamilton’s plans and ideas, that he made him his Aid de Camp and private secretary. But Hamilton had not reached his highest. He was soon given the rank of lieutenant colonel. Honor, purpose and endurance—these are the tests. As estimated by these, had he been given the opportunity, he might have established a military career unexcelled in the annals of American history. Now look to Hamilton, the statesman. After a most deteriorating war of seven years, finance was the great trouble w’hich laid bare, the fatal vices of our political system, and it was upon financial rocks that the weak, crumbling confederation was dashing itself to pieces. Our credit was no longer recognized. Patriotic men, in public life, who for so long had stood by the colonists, were resigning in disgust. But at this critical moment in the life of our glorious nation, a statesman appeared whose political genius created