Shields High School - Patriot Yearbook (Seymour, IN)

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FAE PATRICK TO A STUDENT of history no truth seems more impressive than the fact that every great wave of progress, in any nation or country has been preceeded by one of uncertainty, of unrest, and often-times of war. Yet out of the chaos of war, out of the darkness of distrust and doubt, have come periods in which the light of a new civilization has re- vealed truth more fully and has shown the way to a richer and higher life. Out of the French Revolution, with all of its cruelty and bloodshed, was inaugurated a force that is leading more and more to the emancipation of all nations. It is true that at first it brought oppression, and immediate re- sults, which for a time, made it seem as if the horrors of the Revolution had been in vain. But as time passed on, there was gradually spread over Europe the soil of Revolutionary France and from that time to this, the watchword of the Revolution, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, has been gradually per meating the atmosphere of continental Europe. Event after event has shown its potent influence, until today, the French Revolution stands justified in the light of its results. Today the nations of the world are again involved in a maelstrom of war, a war so widespread, so awful in its destruction that we can scarcely realize that it can be the expression of civilization of the twentieth century. Yet it may be that through this war, horrible though it is, there may come to us and other peoples, the regenerating forces of new ideals, and it may become the prelude of a liberty, wide and vital. In the seeming chaos of the world today there are indications that we are standing on the threshold of a new era. Even now the master mind is beginning to reveal through the tangled threads of events the suggestive beginnings of a new order, an order of in- creased understanding and of broader and deeper sympathy. In his Tale of Two Cities Dickens gives a wonderfully realistic descrip- tion of Europe prior to the terrific upheaval of the French Revolution. The same description might be used in characterizing the world today. It is the best of times, and the worst of times, it is an age of wisdom, it is an age of foolishness, it is a season of light, it is a season of darkness, it is the spring of Page Twenty-three]

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t)usk VEVA PAUL c LOUDS SCURRY fast across the sky And silent dusk all unawares Creeps close upon the heels of day And for the night prepares. The wind slips back into the sky And leaves the earth in waning light — ; Then faint and few the stars appear Meek heralds of the night. Then in this hour of restfulness Pause, busy World, in sweet content And let your soul, tired from its toil, In calm of dusk be blent. OOSO0 [Page Twenty-two

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- hope, it is the winter of despair, we have everything before us, we have noth- ing before us, in short, we can describe this age in the superlative degree only. The question naturally arises, what will be the logical outcome of such conditions? In considering the answer to this important question, we should never forget, that in this war or in this chaotic condition of affairs, are in volved constitutional crises, that out of it many new problems will come up for solution and many others that have appeared earlier, will have gathered force and urgency that will demand many changes and a new order along many lines. The new era which is bound to grow out of this crisis in world history will see a complete revolution in many social, religious and economic conditions. I do not mean to say that all the results of this war must be good, far from it. The immediate material effects cannot be other than disastrous. The death of millions of the strongest and best cannot possibly improve the living stock ; the heavy war debts which the nations have heaped up, will necessitate the placing of a heavy tax upon the lower class of people; the devastations which this war has wrought, means a shortage of the food supply. Many of the immediate effects will unquestionably be most deplorable. As in Cicero ' s time, when the conspiracy of Catiline threatened the life of the state, the equites and senatorial or aristocratic parties joined forces to protect their fatherland, so in Germany and other warring nations today, we see the different classes of men forgetting their religions, social and po- litical differences, and joining forces to save their country. This unity, en- forced by a tremendous common danger, will have great results. Results that will express a greater industrial life, a more widespread prosperity, and a greater vitality among all classes of people. Again the devastation which this war has brought will unquestionably strengthen the arguments and policies of peace for the future. As the weeks, months and years of war have passed, men and women have seen with the bitterness of heartbreaking experiences, homes bereft of loved ones, and nations drained of their best blood. It is such vital experiences as these that make us realize the real evil of war and the meaning and value of peace. When the smoke of the battle has cleared away and the nobler motives of men assert themselves in victory, it will be found in many lands and in many institutions, that the old order has changed and given place to the new. When the days of war are over there will dawn a better day. Man ' s vision will be clearer, his sympathy broader, and his grasp upon the vital things of life stronger and fii-mer. Precious blood will not have been shed in vain if the world is a better place and man is nobler. There will be a newer vision and instead of policies that through selfishness and false patriotism, through in- [Page Twenty-four