Sacred Heart High School - Vine Leaves Yearbook (Vineland, NJ)

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The Life ofFranklin I). Roosevelt Fifty years ago. on a little farm at Hyde Park, in the Empire State. James Roosevelt, the great-great-great-great-grandson of Claes Roosevelt, the first of the name in America, waited patiently for word of the birth of his first child by a second wife. The child was named Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Today, he is the man. upon whom millions of Americans are pinning their hopes, the man. who is expected to lead America out of the depression. For fourteen years, he lived the life of the average American youth. His best friends were his parents. Both of them gave him a profound love, but what is more important, they foimed a rare comradeship. They be- came young Roosevelt’s counsellors, his leaders—the combination, which provided their heir with the keen understanding, which, today, makes him the most talked of man in the country. He played “cowboys and Indians,” he roamed the woods and fields, but he also listened to discussions of crops and marketing. He gathered a knowledge of managing farm problems, of surrounding conditions, and to- day this knowledge is the dominant characteristic of the former Governor of New York, the greatest state of the Union. James and Sara Delano Roosevelt shared with him all that they knew of books and events. They were his first teachers. American history— especially that of the early Republic—became a favorite with him. Study for Roosevelt was not drudgery, but rather a form of play, to be alternated with other pursuits, such as climbing trees and knocking bottles off the back fence, in short, all the normal things a healthy. American boy likes to do. The sea fascinated young Roosevelt. On his mother’s side, he came of a family of seafaring men. He relinquished his intense desire to follow the sea on the advice of his father. However, the elder Roosevelt permit- ted Franklin to make his own decision. He decided that his father’s advice was backed by years of experience, and although his decision meant hard work, he followed out his decision to the very end. Whereas the average term at Groton School consists of a six year stay, young Roosevelt received his diploma at the end of his fourth term and was ready for Harvard in the fall of 1900, only eighteen years of age. He completed Harvard’s required four year couse in three years. In his first year. Franklin surprised the entire student body by backing the Democratic party, although Theodore Roosevelt was the Republican nominee for the Vice presidency! Blood ties had failed to conquer his predilection for Democratic principles. Franklin Roosevelt was not a “book worm”. HE LEARNED BY OB- SERVATION. He was a member of the freshman football team and rowed with the varsity eight although he failed to make the official squad. 29

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JUNIOR CLASS HISTORY In September the roar of an engine deafened the bystanders as the “Spirit of ’34,” containing twenty-five passengers, took oft to continue it’s flight across the sky of knowledge, under the careful guidance of a new but experienced pilot, Sister Clare Xavier. We met with no oostacles until the end of October, when a storm of revelry shook the sky and a forced landing found us near the home of one of our passengers, where we spent a most enjoyable evening. An interview with the weather man assured us of a clear sky and for many days we soared along peacefully until we reached a refilling station, where we found that Christmas was near. We immediately began preparations for this joyous season and for our en- counters in basketball with our schoolmates and although the cups do not repose in our ship, we are proud of our efforts. Unable to settle down, we planned for a series of weekly parties which besides affording us many good times, replenished our funds for gas and the like. News that the Senior Class was to give a “Doggie Roast” reached us and we made a happy land- ing at Indian Head, where we enthusiastically joined in the fun. Since then, every one on board has been kept busy preparing for the most excitable moment of flight, the Junior Prom. We were determined that we. the Class of ’34, should go down in history for that event. On Friday, May 26, the auditorium was most attractively decorated with our colors, brown and gold. Amid a garden setting of palms, ferns, and flowers a very capable orchestra rendered a pleasing program. All who were present can boast of a good time. When the time came for to land, again, and do our part for the lawn fete, we once more came forward with something new and novel which attracted attention and also a tidy sum of money, which we proudly handed over as our share. We have ascended for the last time but all is quiet because we are ab- sorbed in our exams, which, if we succeed, will make us dignified Seniors. The time has come again for us to head toward the hangar where the “Spirit of ’34” will rest for three months before starting on the last lap of her journey. 28

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Instead, he became the Editor of The Crimson, the Harvard daily. It was then that he hit his stride, the determined gait that has carried him through the various public offices to the nominee of the Democratic party for the presidency of the United States. He was chosen for many fraternities. Then came the first real sorrow of his life. His beloved father passed away even as Franklin was attract- ing attention by his long list of friends. He became a leader of the univer- sity. He displayed marked ability to command loyalty and co-operation from his mates. Even then, he formed friendships as he pleased, without regard to class or set. Just as evident as his leadership was his lack of snobbish- ness. His broadmindedness was apparent. The liberal statesman of today was already in the making. Franklin Roosevelt married at the age of twenty-three to Anna Eleanor and became a typical family man. There were three children in the Roose- velt family. Roosevelt had become a leading man in his community, happy in his own home life, concerned in the welfare of the community. Roosevelt’s first plunge into politics gained for him the respect of not only his own party but even drew the unstinted praise of his opponents. By his great spirit and friendliness to everyone. Franklin garnered a victory in a reputed Republican stronghold and secured his first public office. State Senator from the twenty-sixth district of New York. Much to the surprise of everyone, except his own backers, he carried out all pre-election promises. In the year nineteen hundred eleven, Roose- velt again showed his courage by bucking up against Tammany on the question of placing William Sheehan in the United States Senate. His subsequent victory gained new supporters for this rising leader, who by now was anxious to retire from politics. He was drafted by his friends however, and was reelected to the Senate by a larger majority than he had enjoyed in the first election. During his second term, Franklin became a national figure. His spirit- ed support was one of the chief factors in the election of that eminent statesman. Woodrow Wilson. But had it not been for Franklin Roosevelt, the war president might have been submerged for it was the New York Senator who pointed out the inadequacy of the American navy. As a re- sult, when Wilson finally declared war on the Imperial Government of Germany, the American navy v as able to assist in its share of the program. It was Franklin Roosevelt who first granted an interview to the Am- erican inventor of the undersea mines, those infernal machines which caused the German undersea boats so much difficulty. It was Franklin Roosevelt who directed the demobilization of the American navy abroad. It was Franklin Roosevelt who advocated America joining the newly formed League of Nations. The failure of the American diplomats to heed the advice of Roosevelt, left this body but another European alliance, posses- sing little effectiveness. JO