Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

Page 30 text:

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

Page 29 text:

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.

Page 31 text:

THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 27 and put Into immediate and successful operation, a governmental financial |M)licy which has endured with little change to this day. As Daniel Webster so eloquently said: “He smote the rock of national resources and abundant streams of revenue gushed forth. He touched the corpse of the dead republic and it sprang to its feet. That famous birth of Minerva from the brain of Jupiter was hardly more sudden, than the birth of the financial system of the United States from the brain of Alevander Hamilton.” You know that oft quoted statement, “Hamilton could do the thinking of his time”; and how true it is! Well may we shun any attempts to demoralize the Hamiltonian ideals of government. Jefferson’s prosperity was the outgrowth of Hamilton’s ideas. The fundamental principles upon which the perpetuity of our government depends, are the outgrowth of the financial and political ideals of this genius. You know' of Aaron Burr. You know of the envy and hatred with which he watched the working of this brain that has never been excelled in the intellectual world. You all do feel that in the shadow of Hamilton’s prosperity there is a creature looking on with murder in his heart. When challenged to duel with Burr, Hamilton accepted against his moral principles. But he knew full well that he would be called a coward, and as he himself said, Just before the fatal meeting on the Jersey shore, “Who would trust a man in command in the event of war, if he had ever been called a coward?” As the morning sun cleared away the hazy mists on the eleventh day of July, 1804, the duel took place. Hamilton fell, and it was a fall that w’as heard in every civilized land and clime. Burr, his slayer, fled for his life. Like Cain, in the early world, with the brand of murder on his brow, he became a wanderer on the earth, and his name a new symbol for the taker of human life. We know that the name of Hamilton sounded in his ears Wherever he went. “Ah, the slayer of Alexander Hamilton!” exclaimed an Englishman to whom he was introduced, and turned his back. “Sir, I always have a miniature of Hamilton hanging over my mantel-piece”, said a French statesman, whose favor Burr sought. “By the death of Hamilton you have forfeited the right of citizenship,” said an American consul as he refused him pass-ports. During all the remainder of Burr’s life, he was shunned by his former friends, and strangers whom he chanced to meet, refused to clasp his hand. His name lives only as do those of the murderer and traitor of every age and time. How different the name of Hamilton! At the head of far-famed Wall Street, New York City, in old Trinity church-yard, there rests today the crumbling dust of all that is mortal of Hamilton, the Martyr.” The sacred historic spot is marked by a simple and unpretentious monument on which are inscribed these words: “To the memory of Alexander Hamilton, the corporation of Trinity Church have erected this monument in testimony of their respect for the Patriot of incorruptible integrity, the Soldier of approved valor, and the Statesman of consummate wisdom, whose talents and virtues will be admired by a greatful posterity long after this marble shall have crumbled into dust.” How true this estimate of his patriotism, his valor, and his political wisdom. Few in the ancient or modern world have surpassed him in these civic and political virtues. This estimate carved upon his tomb, a little more than a century ago, has been fully justified by the light of passing years, so also have the estimates that were penned or spoken, when the tragedy of his death, and the memory of his services, were fresh in the minds and hearts and sympathies of his countrymen. We know this to be true, for we read among these tributes, that the “name of Hamilton raises in the mind the idea of whatever is great, whatever is splendid, whatever is illustrious in human nature”; that “He was a man upon whom nature seemed to impress the stamp of greatness.” “His was the clearest head that ever conceived; his, the sweetest tongue that ever uttered the dictates of wisdom.” This head, this tongue,