Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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1 9 2 9 R A I) I A T O R Y E A R B O O K Cla»» Oration—Concluded So too, blind party spirit, which ignores majority aims in worship of its own self-centered ideals, must be lought. If too widespread, it in itself may become a serious impediment to the promotion of that end toward which America strives, world service. But the most serious source of danger to the ideals of Patriotism is the ever growing spirit of lawlessness. Obedience to law is the very keystone of Democracy. How great the danger that this cardinal principle of Democracy be undermined! There exists today a tending to disobey or ignore the obnoxious laws, a tendency which has become so imbued in public opinion that newspapers actually glorify the breaker of the more odious laws. President Hoover himself admits that lawlessness has taken too firm a grip on the nation. It is the supreme test of moral courage to stand against public opinion in one’s respect for Law. John Bradley Winslow, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, says, “It is hardly too much to say that civilization is really law, or at least that it cannot exist in the absence of law.” So we see, disobedience of law undermines the safety, not only of Democracy, but of Civilization itself. All these evils — intolerance, class distinction, party spirit and disobedience of law — the true patriot must cope with that the ideals of the government shall not be lost. In the quality of the ideals of each succeeding generation lies the hope of civilization. High ideals have made civilization all it is; high ideals alone will make it all it can be. CLASSMATES: Our place in life now lies before us. Whether it be our destiny to fill a great position or a small one, let us carry our ideals of High School days into it that when the path is rough and smoother roads beckon the way which leads to inevitable oblivion, that star may mark our course and our ideals in life may be attained. Let us not make mere earthly reward or fame or praise the end of our life work. The satisfaction that comes from having done one’s best is a far greater reward. The truest satisfaction is that of conscience. The outward standards of morality may change, but there ever remains the immutable laws of Right and Wrong which must decide the course of our lives. Let us keep the ideals of Right before us that our self-respect may be ever preserved in all our relations with our fellow-men. Let self-respect be the crowning glory of all our achievements, for if a man loses self-respect he has lost all. Lastly, Classmates, let us cling to our ideals of Patriotism. The nation will soon grant us the privilege of citizenship. In the words of Webster, “The great trust now descends to new hands.” School life has prepared us for this trust and has instilled in our hearts noble patriotic ideals. Let us keep them ever before us as guides that we may justify our trust. The ideals we have set up we may not attain. But if our constant striving toward that goal but inspire another to take up the work, we may believe with William James, “The ceaseless whisper of the more permanent ideals, the steady tug of Truth and Justice, give them but time, must warp the world in their direction.” CHARLES QUINN. 21

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R A D I A T O R Y E A R BOOK 1 9 2 9 Class Oration Continued How truly the Bible says, “Tho a man die, yet shall lie live. ’ Who can deny the living influence of these men? The world still follows the teachings of Socrates. The highest ideal of every true patriot today is that of Lincoln in his day - - the whole Union, one and inseparable. World Peace through the League of Nations will be the watchword of tomorrow. In this age of standardization and blind following of leaders, the intellectual revolution has cast aside conventions, broken up old political beliefs, disclosed hidden forces of nature and of man. The trend of this modern transition period has been to destroy rather than to create. Now the time has come when we must begin reconstruction of our ideals. The Bible says,“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The most vital need of the world today is men who can cling consistently to their ideals. Today, as never before, ideals arc threatened on all sides. The guiding stars of our lives become hidden by clouds and so the ship must wander from the course, beaten by the winds, until at last it is shattered on the rocks. Yet, as has been said before, no society ever existed without ideals. Once America loses hers, her decadence will begin. Ilow great the dangers that threaten them today! The first phase of existence in which ideals are menaced is one’s life work. Every person has his unique place in the scheme of things, a place which can be filled only by himself. Only when nis aims are high will his accomplishment be great. On the efficiency of the parts depends the efficiency of the whole. But today the danger of losing one's ideals is undeniable. To achieve the most possible in his position and to effect the most good to the world is the consummate of every truly educated youth as he enters life. The mad race for material gain evident on all sides tends to warp this purpose, however. If that lofty ideal should sink to a base aim of self-enrichment, the real purpose of the life work is lost. The heroes of progress are not the giants of finance, but the self-sacrificing, magnanimous men who made al- truistic service their loftiest ideal. Furthermore, the spirit of satisfaction at a mediocre attainment is all too prevalent. No influence is more harmful than the apathy which tends to follow. To be content with a position which offers no opportunity for the advancement of one’s ideal of accomplishment, to rest on the laurels of a previous victory each is destructive; for when progress ceases, retrogression begins. He whose heart is in his work can never fall into such a condition. Let us consider next the menace to all which youth has been taught in the home, in the school, and by the church to consider fair and beautiful in the Arts and in Morals and in their relations to Life itself. Appreciation of the fine arts and good music and good literature has been almost entirely lost : and what has sprung up in its place? Subtle influences baneful to our morals: amusements, which far from fulfilling the real purpose of amusement, namely to refresh the mind and turn the thoughts to the finer things, arc slowly destroying the sense of decency and propriety; literature, which docs not lead to fuller lives and a broader appreciation of one’s fellow-men, the real purpose of literature — but rather pictures only the mean and sordid: these are the evils youth must combat if he is to keep his standards of morality high. The only solution of the problem lies in being ever guided by the aims instilled by parents, school, and church. The man makes the ideal: the ideal makes the man. The third danger to individual and national existence is the loss of the ideals of true patriotism. Intolerance, class distinction, party spirit and disobedience of law, all tend to obscure the main aim of a citizen that of serving the nation. Intolerance and class distinction — to crush out these evils was the very purpose of those who colonized our shores, the dream of our early statesmen, the aim of’all our great men, yet these evils exist today. The last presidential campaign was an indication of the power of intolerance. The constant struggles between Capital and Labor constitute the mark of class distinction. 20

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RADI A T 0 R Y E A R BOOK 10 2 9 CLASS POEM WHITHER AWAY? One day, as I walked alone on the tide-swept sands Of a little beach, which snuggled deep into the land, I gazed down the long edge of the shore. Strewn with seaweed, and I saw a crowd of people I lauling massive logs of golden oak. Others, as the straining ropes were loosed. Cut them, planed them, fitted them in their places. And soon the mighty ribs of a vessel Pointed like fingers into the summer sky. Onlookers cheered, for the keel was laid; Soon the vessel was completed with towering masts. Huge, billow-white sails, and new tarred rigging. Sunbeams played on her fresh white paint With the brass transformed to gold. Then from the midst of the throng, I saw a Youth Come forward, a sun-browned Youth, eager, ex- pectant. And swing aboard. “Hammers knocked away the shores and spurs.” The keel quivered with life, trembling throughout. And like a seal, she plunged into the ocean, ’Til proudly she sailed out of the bay With a blue and white pennant on her mast. Then as I watched I thought How like to Youth is that same ship About to start on her long ocean voyage. And so I followed the ship in my dreams, And. as I watched through the streaming mist, I saw the dim outline of three figures robed in white Appear before the young man's eves, swaying in the fog. And one in a low quiet voice counselled him thus: Long miles of weary water stretch out before you. And restful islands will often tempt you. But by many hours spent in learning from books And through earnest endeavor three friends you’ve gained. First, Charity, who lends a willing hand To those who slip into Poverty, Ofttimes accomplished by the greed of men. Who, watching, themselves, forget all others. Next Patience, whose wondrous virtue you have learnt. Who, when difficulties and obstacles o’crwhclm you Curbs your anger, and, like a mother. Lifts you up faint hearted without thought of future gain. And I, whom men call Ambition, have always won Laurels for those who diligently follow me.” The floating figures faded, and died away — While the stanch ship onward plowed its way. Night hud fallen; the sea was velvet black. But a single star above cast on the ocean’s breast A flash of while light, tinged with blue — Colors with which the Master paints the clouds The sea and the sky: white for Purity, Blue for Loyalty. Now ahead the bright lights of an island flickered. And through swaying lanterns in rose-filled gardens People were walking and talking together. From one landing — for many ways led to this isle — I saw a silver-tinted boat push out Wherein a man was seated whose face changed Continually, deceiving everyone about. Whose body was wrapped in a silver mantle, Lined with golden cloth and edged with bells. On touching the ship’s stout side the figure spoke: “Pleasure am I. These gardens, my kingdom. Rich and poor love me and shower me with gold. Come, stay here with me!” The Youth, fearing the darkness, would join him. But Ambition held him. Pleasure, undaunted. Poured sacks of gold doubloons on the deck. “All these arc yours! What joy to cheat and rob That you may aid yourself, increase your pile of gold! Come, I will teach you the pleasant art.” “Nay,” cried Charity, and hurled the gold into the sea. That vision dimmed, but presently through a clinging fog. Which wrapped the moving ship in a thousand veils, 22