Rye Neck High School - Scraps Yearbook (Mamaroneck, NY)

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ORATIONS ON THE CONSTITUTION THE ADAPTATION OF THE CONSTIf TUTION TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE g Humanity ever has progressed. History is the record of its changes. Its needs were not the same at the time of Adam as at the time of the French Revolution or the Amer- ican Civil War. Altho the Romans may have been concerned with trade laws, woman' suf- frage bothered them not a bit. We may have the traffic problem to deal with, but the band of motley beggars that filled the streets of Rome never dreamed of mobbing the streets of New York. Today's requisites are not yesterday's, nor will they be the requisites of the future. -Each age has its needs and problems peculiar' to itself. ' But however different the requirements of one generation may be from another, there are always certain elastic principles which forever will Ht the needs of man. Such arc the Ten Commandments of Moses, and the divine teachings of Christ, because they conf tain fundamental laws of humanity. On ac- count of the simplicity of their general truths they have been adaptable to all peoples and times. A The Constitution of the United States may be compared with these deathless laws which have survived the test of ages. One may argue that if a principle is too universal it can not be practical. But the Constituf tion takes the universal and applies it to the specific. The first ten Amendments concern the right of man to enjoy personal liberty. They specifically apply this right in the asf surance of freedom of religion, .speech and press, right of assembly, limiting the right of search, wherein the old English maxim' a man's home is his castle is involved, guaranty of trial by jury, and delegating the powers reserved to the State and People. When our inspired forefathers presented to the eager people the majestic fruit of their patriotic labors, the Constitution, imbued with all that is noble, all of divine freedom that may thrill the spirit of ambitious man, they gave to them not an instrument stiff and rigid with the musty saws of melancholy dogma, but rather, a kindly guide, that might direct and enforce, but not chafeg that might allow freedom, but not license. For every new problem that confronts it, the nation does not have to formulate new laws and new principles. Its vigorous roots, which reach deep into the hearts of the American people, are elastic enough to let its healing flower bend its golden light to any need. As the Constitution grows spiritually, so it may grow materially. From the bud that was fashioned with it, the amendatory clause, has sprung its nineteen moly-leaves, upon each of which is inscribed the will of the people. They are the amendments for the abolition of slavery, for Prohibition, Wo' man Suffrage, and the others that were found necessary to public administration. And again, the first ten Amendments, or thc American Billxof Rights, were inserted im' mediately after the ratification of the Consti' tution because our forefathers deemed it wise to include in their document the right of per' Sonal liberty for which they had so gloriously fought and bled. , The chief virtue of this diamond of many facets lies in its implied powers. The seen' may look within the polished surface of thc gem and divine a deeper and richer meaning than is read on its brilliant face. The Conf stitution definitely states the right of the government to make treaties with foreign nations but not a mite is mentioned of its right to acquire new territory. However, be' neath the resplendent radiance of its lucid crystal emerges the softer light of a greater power, the power of implication. Thru this elasticity of design, much territory has been added to the United States, as Louisiana, Alaska and the Virgin Islands. It is upon this mighty warp, the warp of the Constitution of the United States, that the American home, the American indus' tries, and the American ideals are founded. The warp is democarcy, freedom, and equal- ity. Woven intricately among its golden threads is the woof, expressive of the needs of- the American people tofday. And stead' ily,' surely, Destiny weaves thread upon thread into the shining material as each one is needed, and plucks from it any that may be unsoundg and the design broadens and be' Page Twentyffi ve

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Senior Plays' PROGRAM THE RED LAMP A Play ,in OneJAct by Hilliard Booth ' ' ' l CHARACTERS J Matilda Deering, a rich spinster 7 Martha P. Trueisdelll 1 - ' r , Harold Deering, her nephew ...... Albert Langworthy Elaine'Deerihg,i Harold's sister Q .................. Jeanne Egger Archie Clark, a young lawyer ...,.. Francis H. Beecher Bill Worth, a man of all trades ,... L ..'......,.... 1 ....... L .,.. ll ...'. lf ..,...' V ' George F. Ockershausen- Annie O'Shane, maid at the..Deerings ........ , .......,.,....,....... . 1 K - .Q . Florence V..Kelsey Scene: Living-room of Deering house. K, Time: Anxevening of the present. I By permission of Samuel French. it PARA' DISEHA ' A Play ip,Qne Act by Sally --Shute , -, CHARACTERS She Q- .... - ..,.:.,.. .,..,... ..... ., .,.. ,, .......,.. 2 .... , .....,....,.,.. Edith Meyer, Station Master ........,... ..,.....,..... G eorge St. L. Fitzroy He .............. - .... if ............. ' ..... ....................... E dward' 'Fratt A- Stranger' ..... f ........... . ........................... George St. L. Fitzifofyq Scene: Interior of a small country rail- 'fi- ' ' . way station in Northern New . Iiemeshlfe- - --leer Midnshr- if - U jpgy permission ofFSValter H. Balrer 'Cof Y J' iB1MBo, TH'Ei15iR20iTE ' ' A Play One: Apt by Booth Tarlringtorilkh I' . . ' CHARACTERS 'f--'g.m,t. Robert ..:.,...- ...... Q .............. .. .,.... ,.- ..... ,............ V ernon E.1Chu-rch Iydia .... , ........... , ........ ....,... - .,. ............ . .. .... . ....... ,Audrey Joy Iflare Deuteronomy Bimbp ..........,................... Judson Benjamin Driscoll: ..,,... .........., f ...... Q. ..............,.. Rushmore R. 'Houghton Pirates ..... ' 3' :.1...i: ............... Johnjl.. Ehrbar - ' - Ji James Eg- Fee - H , Adrian Reed, Jr. Scene: Cabin of a pirate ship. ,--U. ., . .Timer A.Sunday morningll 575, 1 33 N , By permission of Walter H.. Baker Co. - .- f SILENCE, PLEASE , , A Comedy in-One Aet- by -Felix Gould ,, -- -- 'CHARACTERS' ' ' Madge .... 1 R... .......e... p ...SQ ........ 5 ..'.... Madeleine -Cf Houpert Dolinda ........ ......,........ 1 .-,,... g ,....,... - :.iDoris M. 'QB-CIITIXBDH, Julia .,........,. T- .....1........ ..,..................... . -Victoria L, Maxwell. Darrel ............... . ................. ,MT ..... Herbert R. Houghton, Jr. Scene: A livingfrooin. ' - V' U Time: Early evening, justiafter dinner. ' W f 78y permission offWalteCr H. Baker Co. - SENIOR PLAYS, '30 Cn Saturday evening, the 24th of May, the Senior Class of '30 presented four onefct plays, which were received enthusiastically by the audience. The plays were selected be' cause of the unusualness- and variety of-situ' ations. Each member of the plays entered with spirit into the part 'he 'or she portrayed. The Red Lamp .'with Martha Truesdell, Francis Beecher, Jeanne Egger, George.Ocker' shausen, Florence Kelsey, and Albert Lang' worthy consisted of a veryiascinating plot, which was developed with. splendid resultsi .J'Bimbo, second on the program presented an-:attractive contrast from t-he other selecf tions. Judson Benjamin was ably assisted byfAudrey Hare, Vernon Church, .John Ehrf bar, ,James Gee, Adrian- .Reed hand- Rushmore Houghton. The costumes displayed .here were outstanding. M V, - , Paradise with but three parts toiill .were nevertheless taken by very successful actors, including Edith Meyer, .Edward ,Pratt, ,and George Fitzroy. 5 ,, . E j E j - :A - Last but -not least was Silence,--Pleas.e'7 with -Victoria fMi:!XWell, ,Herbert Houghton. Jr ,,V. Doris QfE,e,rrnann and Madeleine -Houpert, This unusualy-comedy-,was received-with ,a great deal of laughter and applause. . .vi-4 H . H Everett ..Houghton- FROM MAMARCNECK' TIMES- . NOW TLHVEN YQUNGAN OLD s Rye Neck's Seniors put on four goods-onef. act plays last Saturday, and we enjoyed them as-much as any of the attempts of the grown up. 'little theatre groups. We- thought Jud Benjamin, Herbert Houghton, Victoria Max' well, and this Pratt--chap were-swell, and the imaginative -scenery served .its-purpose just as- well as any elaborateset-.would have-done. Its -too bad-most of these folksleave Mama- roneck for college next year. They'd all he good material for-our amateur stage -work. Qld Moe bought a parrot in-Beacon, The specie-of bird he was- seekin'g The parrot was red, - ' -. -- - - can?t'teaoh-him, -r he-said, . - Y He von't- vave-his hands -ven he's speakin-'. ' ' ' ' George Fitzroy Page Tweritydiour

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comes more beautiful and perfect. A great golden golden light seems to hover about it, and emanate from it. It is the light of truth and equity, which makes the hearts of the American People glow with true happiness and prosperity.- The Constitution is the expression of the will of the people. It directly depends upon, and -had its birth from,ithe American citizen The British Parliament has the extreme power to make or unmake any law as it sees fit, in the United States only the people can change the American Constitution. It is the American individual, taken as a nation, that is omnipotent. His will is law, and hisflaw is Democracy. , Judson Benjamin LINCOLN, THE STANDARDBEARER OF THE 'CONSTITUTION V Looking back over the brief period of our Conastitutiorfs existence, we find, outstanding, the names of many who have, in one way or another, contributed to that sacred docuf ment. Never shall we forget Hamilton or Jefferson, those stalwart .patriarchs of its be- ginnings. Nor can we omit Monroe or Jack- son who so firmly upheld its principles from the Presidency. But, when we come to Lin' coln, we must stop, for fthe- contributions he made to the Constitution are far too great to be passed over witha mere breath. . The story of Lincoln and the Constitution is not one of direct incidents connecting,.LAinf coln with the Con-stitution but one of indif rect influences and implied powers. The only direct connection -Lincoln had with the Constitution was the 13th Amendment, which was adopted during his term of office- However, by his struggle for the vUnion,. by his struggle against slavery, 'Lincoln defended and upheld the Constitution. 3- - I When Lincoln stepped into the Presidency, he stepped into a-breach that could have been filled by no lesser man than he and into-the midst of such a crisis as had never before been known -in the history of the nation. However, Lincoln was prepared. He had not gone through those years of hardships in the backfwoods for tnothing. if He had not met with all the difficulties of his life merely to-throw this hardfearned experience away. So, realizing that this must be the task for which he had been prepared, realizing that he was the only one who -could cope with it, Lincoln fearlessly met it as the task for which his life had been destined, nor did he falter once or turn aside until it had been completed. , Secession! It hung like the mighty sword of Damocles over the seething nation threat' ening at any moment to descend and to rend it asunder. It seemed that the whole nation would be drowned in the turmoil of disunf ion. The North ever held firmly to the steadfast principles of union, while the South was balanced on the very edge of separation with' the mighty arm- of slavery pulling it down on the other side. 'Lincoln prophesied, I do not expect the Union to be dissolved, I-do not expect the house to fall, but I do expect it will cease to be divided. . In his purpose, however, Lincoln was somewhat misjudged, for, by some he was believed to give attention only to.the work of freeing the slaves. He did, indeed, wish slavery done away with, but above this, above everything else, he placed the -importance of the preservation of the Union under the Constitution. ..In aqletter he wrote to Horace Greeley, he stated, My paramount objectfin this struggle is to save the Union, and it is not either to save or to destroy slavery. However, Lincoln' did believe that the spirit of the Constitution was wholly op' posed to slavery, and although it could do nothing with the -slaves in the States, he firmly asserted thatcCongress had the power to+prohibit slavery in the territories. Then came the famous Dred Scott Case. The def cision, when made by the Supreme Court, declared that Congress had no such power. Lincoln, disagreeing with the decision, said, The people of these United States are the rightful masters of both Congress and courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrowthe men who pervert thc Constitution. . i .V Finally, moreover, when Lincoln, believed that it was possible by freeing the slaves tO save the Union, he did not hesitate to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. This docuf ment was followed almost directly by the 15th Amendment having the same principles Page Twentyfsix