Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

Page 23 text:

The MisshjE 17 inherent doctrines of our cmlization. That, primarily, is the aim of military training in the High School. There can be no nobler purpose. With belief that a greater interest in Petersburg would lead to beneficial results, the editors have decided to make the next issue of the Missile the Petersburg Number. The co-operation and support of the student body in contributing articles on important subjects relating to the city — historical, industrial, commercial and civic conditions — are earnestly solicited. Remember, it is our Missile, and let us make it the best num- ber yet.

Page 22 text:

16 The Missile are irrefutable : American rights on the seas have been trampled upon; international law, which we are honor bound to uphold, has been repeatedly violated ; and moreover, indus- trial crises have been caused by strikes instigated directly through foreign agents. There is, therefore, but one conclu- sion to be drawn : America must prepare ! Have we an efficient army? By no means! Have we a capable navy? Certainly not! Then the present exigency imperatively demands action — immediate action — that must , appeal to the interest of the entire nation! To go to the heart of the question, young Americans must realize their grave responsibility, for they are to mould the na- tion’s destinies of the next generation. We must go into the High Schools and tell the young men that it is their solemn duty to protect their native land with its glorious traditions. But here comes the “peace-at-any-price” man and shouts : “I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier. Do you want us to be a war-mad people ? Are you going to turn America into a mili- tary camp?” It is this pernicious spirit, however, that threatens the welfare of the nation. It must be understood that military training in the High School is not to teach our boys to be efficient soldiers, war-maniacs, or militarists; but to give them the elementary principles of military life ; not to be offenders, but defenders. Military training as it is to be governed in the High School cannot possibly foster mili- tarism. Americans are essentially anti-militarists ; it is incon- ceivable that any other spirit could prevail. The advantage of this training, inasmuch as it gives the youth of the nation a higer sense of patriotism and a deeper realization of the principles of humanity which America must safeguard, are conspicuous in other branches of school life. That it promotes chivalry and manliness, discipline and obedi- ence should alone demand steps towards its establishment, and most especially since it develops physical efficiency and mental activity. Certainly if it is our duty to defend America, it is our duty to defend the essential principles of America — the

Page 24 text:

I wonder! I wonder why it happens that when the teacher’s out The girls begin to giggle and the boys nearly shout? And I think it’s mighty funny that as soon as she comes in We all get awfully quiet and there’s not a single grin. I wonder why it happens that when a teacher’s new The boys begin to talk out loud and the girls are horrid too? But just let Mr. Wolff or someone else look in We all get mighty quiet and there’s not a bit of din. When we want to sharpen pencils, or the desk begins to squeak Or a boy over yonder cries out, “Teacher, kin I speak ?” I wonder why it’s always with a teacher that is new ? And not with Mr. Wolff or Miss Segar, do not you? — Tucker Bryan, ’ 18 . Miss H. of IIIA: “Where is Sing Sing?” Miss Stribling: “In China.” Miss G. of IIIA translating Cicero : “ — and he could hardly escape them by stepping aside with his body.” Miss B. : “Where did Mr. — come from ?” Miss M. : “Brazil, the land of the nuts.”