Salem High School - Witch Yearbook (Salem, MA)

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FOR JUNE 9 ENGLISH ORATION OF YOUTH AND AGE Jossvn B. ALPERS A fundamental law of nature states that the older must nourish the young- er. Down through the ages, the ap- prentice has gained experience from his master, one generation has learned what the previous generation had to teach. Any progress we have achieved has been produced by the successful linking of old ideas with new ones. by the modification of old methods to produce what have become known as new methods. more efficient, more con- venient. more nearly ideal. Age has led the way. Age has blazed a trail for youth to follow and. in turn. to lengthen. The examples of the past have by no means been completely progressive. in the constructive sense of the wordg if every generation had produced nothing but a desirable intlucnce upon our civilization. Utopia would long since have been reached. But older methods are generally accepted as wiser methods, the experience of age is respected. and it must be acknowl- edged that until the radical is proved and fostered by the conservative. the latter prevails. Yes, every generation has handed to its successor something ol' value. has bridged another gap in the' quest for a more perfect world. has offered some encouragement to the ef- forts of its Youth. Not unlike any other generation. to- day's Youth also requires the atten- tion, the guidance of its parents. There must exist a favorable relationship be- tween the two factions-a relationship of harmony rather than rivalry. of confidence and not skepticism. The two generations must associate closely, they must share their thoughts. The one supplements the other. The young- er set must feel free to approach their elders for advice in meeting the more serious problems that confront them. The old must seek the young for the renewal of ideals, Zllld the inspiration ot' energy. Youth must 11ot tolerate. but rather appreciate the idiosyncra- cics of the conservative views of an older generation. Similarly, Age must not look with cynicism upon the ef- forts of Youth, but endeavor to inspire greater confidence in Youth's ability by displaying interest i11 its activities. 'llovv many cases of juvenile delin- quency might have been prevented had the rebellious youth had some old- er person to consult. to confide in, to relate his ditiieulties to. How much more might have been reaped from an educational course, if the student had had some wise intimate with whom to compare reactions. upo11 whose advice he could lean in time of doubt. Different individuals would stress the importance of Youth. minimizing that of Age. They would force the older generation completely i11to the background: they would de11v the con- tributions of a conservative view. It is Youth's futuref, they ery, Let it reign l The contrary, of course, is also true. Certain skeptical persons would utterly prevent Youth from ac- tive participation. They would under- estimate the ability, the capacity of Youth. Neither of these attitudes is healthy. Youth and Age must supple- ment each other! Neither should pre- vail over the other. but both must blend in perfeet harmony-Youth with its overbubbling energy, zeal, and idealism: Age with its wider perspec- tive. its moderate methods. its hard- earned experience. From such co- operation. nothing but constructive progress. nothing but charitable mo- tives. nothing but peace and richer liv- ing could result.

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9 i SARA LISAK f'0NS'l'.XNl'l'I DIOX Honrn' Nluflvnl Ilnnm' Nlurlwnl M i INIILIA K. C'ZUC'HR.X I'Al7LlNl'I I . NUYH lx Honor Student Ilunor Student B'

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10 THE ADVANCE VALEDICTORY CHARACTER, THE INSURANCE OF LIBERTY SYLVIA L. TYLER To guard and to perpetuate liberty has always, since the dawn of our his- tory, been the high calling of Ameri- cans. Our immediate means ot' carry- ing out this sacred tradition seems to be necessarily a program of force, which for its rapid and successful ter- mination demands practical thinking and action in one hundred per cent of the populace. However, to focus our activity too completely, even though temporarily, on a program of force is to endanger our liberty at the same time that we are striving desperately to preserve it, paradoxical though it may seem. When this situation exists, it is as though a people, knowing well the elements of which liberty is com- posed, has adopted a superficial way to safeguard its freedom and is thus walking precariously on a tottering superstructure above the solid ground- work of freedom. Since the excellence and magnitude of our liberty depend upon the quality of those who share it, the proper means of preventing both a decline of ethics, and the development of a passive indifference to character. after the return of peace, is to incor- porate into men and women simple fundamental virtues which, far from being weak and ineffective, have stami- na and a record of long endurance to recommend them. Virtus, itself the Latin origin of the word virtue, means manliness. These desirable attributes of charac- ter may be acquired from several sources. Two of the greatest of these are: a practical. working religion, and a liberal education. True religion is indispensable to high character because of the keenness which it imparts to the conscience in every man. Educa- tion is the door that opens to a broad. deep view of life. Because hearts and minds, thus filled with honesty and justice, charity and international good-will cannot also harbor groundless resentment, jeal- ousy. and racial prejudice. premiums paid out in building character Will in- sure the preservation of liberty, and an environment most conducive to har- monious living. This is the time of parting words and expressions of gratitude. It is not easy to say farewell when for four years we have walked a common way. It is more difiicult to express our grati- tude to parents who have protected and nurtured us in our youth, and to a school system whose expert guidance thus tar along the path of education will undoubtedly be the means of in- creasing our worth in life. I sincerely feel that by assuming responsible posi- tions in society. and by exemplifying in our lives the highest and best teachings of home and school, we can acknowledge more effectively our grati- tude to our parents and educato1's than by any words spoken this hour.