Perry Township High School - Petonian Yearbook (Perryopolis, PA)

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48 THE PETONIAN The famous Harvard University was founded by the church. Through their system of education and their religious ideals they inspired future generations to accept their motto and attempt to live free from sin. Goad- ed on by their teachings each generation contributed something new to our civilization. To-day in the light of a new age with new facts discov- ered and new revelations given we cannot accept all that our forefathers believed, but to them we owe a silent tribute because our greater knowl- edge is simply an outgrowth of their lesser. If they could for just one moment rend the veil that separates the living from the dead and look out upon our great institutions of learning, our hospitals and asylums, I im- agine I can hear them say, f'Think of us, our names have long ago been forgotten. Our lives have sometimes been stormy and often tragic, but it was our bodies that made the bridge over which you are treading. You are most brave, but yet your light-it was the light we gave. VVe come now to the second step in our development. just as We were unable to do without the religious influence in our country, just so we were unable to do without those who pitted their physical strength against the barriers of an unknown continentgthe pioneers. To the present day student the word pioneer fascinates and enchants but I wonder how many of us if we could be given the chance to relive their lives would give up the case and comfort which they made possible for us to enjoy and endure the hardships, sufferings and death which the simple little word pioneer calls up to mind. I see them, their families and their possessions which consist of little more than a team of oxen, a covered wagon, and a few articles of household necessities, bidding a final farewell to their friends and leaving forever the line of civilization which stretched along the Atlantic coast. A little later I see them creeping slowly up the rough slopes of the Alleghenies, cutting a path as they go, crossing the plains, fording a river, clearing a forest, and at last, facing a desert. Now comes the temptation to turn back but standing on the edge of the desert they heard the tramp, tramp of a million feet following in their footsteps. They heard the cry of their children's children saying, t'Make room for us. They got a vision of another nation with unlimited possibilities and the development of a new type of civilization. A final choice was made. They faced the desert knowing at the same time that it must end disastrously to some of them. I cannot tell you what they suffered. Their whitened bones lying along the trail will tell you that. But to-day in place of a desert there is a paradise. In place of an impassable mountain, there are untold riches, and in place of a wilderness, the Golden State of California. But there are others whose work entitles them to hold an equal place in our estimation besides pioneers. The group of men whose courageous fighting all through our development protected the honor of our country is just as important. The Indians had to be pushed back to make room for the oncoming of the white man. The French had to be overcome so Amer- ica could be preserved for English customs and common law. Later a

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THE PETONIAN 47 I HEROES OF OBSCURITY The Original Oration That Won The County Contest ' r Walter I.arson 1 .N f, if: f-.ti r Too long have honor and glory been paid to the outstanding .figures in civilization without any recognition whatever of those obscure influ- ences which made it possible for renowned tigures to 'play great :roles in the drama of life. Too long have we blinded ourselves to the fundamental importance of the cause of things rather than the result. A stream can rise no higher than its source, a tree can be no better than its seed, a great mind likewise must have an origin which has been laid with care, fed with sacrifice, and clothed in noble thoughts. VVithout the untiring efforts of those who were willing to give unrecognized efforts in order that our country could rise from the depths of obscurity and take an equal stand with other peoples and nations, we could never have been the Ameiiea which we are today. These heroes of obscurity were visionaries and dreamersr. ,They had dreams of possibilities never heard of before. 'It a sacred thing to be a visionary but it is a more sacred thing toyibe able to solve arising problems, to win life's battle and to be able to 'say at the end of all, My dream is true even though others have receivedlthe praise which was built upon the foundation which I have laid. The test' is not-who receives the praise, but is humanity made happier. Itis toivsucli obscure heroes as these that I reverently payi my tribute which is all that I can do. Well, who are these heroes of obscurity?' lf you will open your vol- ume of History and examine your legends and traditions' you will find although few names are mentioned that they are partly the little group of sincere men and women who played a vital part in spiritualizing ourrciviliza- ti'on. The rock on which we were built, rests on the motive religion. ' . VVhen in England the power of the Puritans had been crushed' and the Stewarts had returned to the throne with a thirst for vengeance, when laws had been enacted that everybody must attend the established church offEngland and heretics or breakers of tradition and custom must bepun- ished, the Pilgrims left the old world and searched for a new becausethey wanted freedom of worship. In Plymouth they laid the foundation upon Which' modern America rests. Everything worthwhile which 'is .ours to: day, .we can trace hack to them. Their clergynien, 'macle'tthe'f1rSt.fat'te1npt atzeducationein ourcountry. The first GOllLCg'C''XVHSWU52f6l2lglOl1S'.COlflCgE.

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THE PETONIAN -49 separation between us and our mother country had to bewbrought about 'so We could make'our land an'experiment in Deniocracyl-and-social ideals, and finally an 'internal war had to'be fought to instill a common purpose into the two distinct types of Englishmen, who had settled in different sec- tions of our land. During our ,last war our nation unanimously rose to do .honor to her obscure heroes., No mighty general ever received greater or more sincere homage ,than our final tribute to the unknown soldier boy who had been brought homexfrom the strife and Hell of war back to the arms of those who loved him dearly. Presidents and ex-presidents with heads bowed walked silently through the streets of the hushed city content to be private citizens at the bier of the man who in his haunting mystery typified the spirit of America's,,dead. Powerful Leaders walked humbled at the side of his comrade and heaped on his casket, garlands of roses while whole armies bowed in silence. As the casket was borne down the steps, a little old woman, unknown, broke from the common ranks and gazing upon the casket broke into tcars.and then turned, disappearing into the obscure crowd from which she came. The black scarf thrown around her neck told of the sacrifice which she had paid. Great epoch-making events call forth great men. All through Athe days of our struggle, great men appeared upon the stage of our History and made for themselves a place in our memory which is as eternal as eternity itself. But greater than these are the millions and, millions of people, who without murmur, took their separate places in the plan of progress and by their unity of purpose and cooperated efforts gave us a present and promise us an even more satisfactory future. Of all whom I have mentioned, of all whom l can think of, the most worthy group of heroes are the peace-makers. There was a time when war was necessary. It was simply a step in our evolution. We could not do without it. But the time must come when we must leave the old and take a step toward the new. NVhen we must leave war and work toward peace. That time is already here, Everyone in this audience tonight who is bending all his efforts in this direction whether he be minister, teacher, student, parent, or unskilled labor can belong to this group if he wishes. VVe have before us a future rich with possibilities if we would but realize it. These possibilities are so unlimited that they can only be gotten if we work in unison with the world. There can be no unity where there is strife. VVhen a few years ago we entered th-e great war, our motto was to make the world safe for Democracy and to establish universal and eter- nal peace. Our nation received a special call to pave the way for peace. But we abused our privilege, we cast aside our opportunity. Greed rose and selfishness crushed the man who could have led us triumphantly through a new and more sacred career than we had ever experienced be- fore. He's gone now-and only a name is left, Yes-he might have had his faults, he might be all that they say he is but his name has been writ- ten on Histories that need no pages. lt has been carved on monuments that