Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

Page 8 text:

2 Thk Missile lElitirt of moon HE United States is a neutral country ! Do these words have a familiar sound? They ought to, for they are the words of Presi- dent Wilson. They were expressed when peo- ple began to feel strongly about the war, when the press published insinuating arti- excitement was running high. They still hold good. On March fourth, nineteen hundred and thirteen. Presi- dent Wilson took his oath of office. He pledged himself to guide the country through storm and peril, and it was un- derstood that the country would accept his leadership, would not scorn his opinions and advice. Yet when a time comes when his advice is useful, it is deliberately ignored. People shout their opinions in every direction. They hurl challenges to their neighbors. They make absurd bets and become furi- ous over the outcome. Is this neutrality? In time of war at Rome, a dictator was appointed. He had absolute power as long as the war continued. The peo- ple placed themselves under his care. Why do we not fol- low the example of the Romans, and place ourselves under the President’s care? If the nation selected Wilson from other candidates to govern for four years, why did it treat him as though unworthy of this honor? Why does it neg- lect his wish? The nation will bring us into a perilous war if it keeps up at the present rate. Such marked partisanship among the people of the United States can not help provoking the jealousy of the unfavored side. Human nature is the same everywhere ; unrestrained human nature is a menace the world over! We cannot control our likes and our dislikes, but we can suppress our actions. Neutrality is not only desirable, it is imperative. — Mary Willson, ’ 18 .

Page 7 text:

Q] lU Q Published by the Students of the Petersburg High School (J IB THE MISSILE [D [B l VOL. V. PETERSBURG. VIRGINIA OCTOBER, 1915 larknpSB and IB [B NO. 1 C The dawn that sees Aurora kiss This Land of Liberty, Endeared to Freedom’s loyal sons And blest with peace and wrapp’d In robes of sweet tranquility, Is marred on distant shores Where waters of Atlantic’s seas Their mighty billows roll. By demons of Sat anic blood That barbarously rage In madden’d fury, unrestrained. -■ The fruit of centuries, Ordained when first the Light was seen In ancient Babylon, Now mock’d and crush’d by cannon’s roar. Is shattered in despair. Oh ! Righteousness has ceased to sway The brutal hearts of men; Morality and Love are scorned — Alas — the Light is dimmed. But lo! a wreathed smile creeps o’er That haggard countenance! The darkness of humanity Is lighted by one gleam! On that, Almighty God, bestow The blessings of Thy Grace — On Freedom’s land — America ! Thine own America ! — Meyee Lavenstein, ’16

Page 9 text:

The MissHiE 3 Jfor ®ut af Marram fflamptlj 3ag iN the little crossroads church the sermon was just drawing to a close. It was very late in the day — in fact, almost evening. There had been reports to be made,- and it was afternoon service, too. It was one of those lifeless hot days, when everything seems to irritate, or weary. Up in the choir, at the rear of the church, Mr. Meredith slept sweetly in his corner. Two so- pranos were looking at him and nudging each other. Mr. Morgan was writing notes to Minnie Ballard, who laughed at him. The first soprano was looking over her next Sun- day’s solo. And Miss Macdonald, the leader, was watching all, amusedly, though trying now and then to follow the sermon. Miss Macdonald was not a native of the village, but had come to the Rawlings’ farm for a month, and had consented to take the choir during her stay. She was director of a large choir of a large church in her home city; one that was known throughout the city for its well selected and well-sung music. She had a wonderful contralto voice herself — so clear and powerful, yet at the same time so sweet and musical and “human,” as Barbara Rawlings said. Barbara’s greatest am- bition was to sing-Tcto be the possessor of a lovely voice; but she had no hope of realizing her ambition. She was positive that she could not sing, and her friends agreed with her. The revelation of what a voice might mean, given by Miss Mac- donald, made her long all the more for the power of singing. At length the minister closed his Bible, and there was a lively rustle of relief as he announced the last hymn. Then the squeaky little organ began to squeak, and they sang the hymn, Miss Macdonald’s voice rising above and dominating all the others, and even atoning for the organ. And then all heads were bowed- while the benediction was pronounced ; and it was over at last.