Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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this year with a feeling: of regret at part- ing from pleasant associations, yet with a sense of satisfaction in having success- fully completed our preparatory course. The problem, fellow classmates, is one that will face some members of the Class of 1936 immediately upon graduation from Somerville High School, when they enter business or industry, and confront all of us in a few short years. Sympathetic- teachers, our faithful guides and counsel- ors for the three years now drawing to a close, will not be at our sides to lead the way, it will be for us then to mark the path and share the responsibilities of gov- ernment and economic life. And as future citizens we must solve the problems which will await us. No longer will our course be strewn with the helpful advice of par- ents, teachers, and friends. No, we must make our own decisions and abide by them. Communism is subtle. While the Com- munists on the street corners of our large cities carry on vigorous assaults on the susceptible minds of the average unem- ployed, we easily discern the insane doc- trines of Communism. But when our be- loved Nation becomes saturated with the doctrines of various movements such as the “anti-war” and “peace at any price” movement, we fail utterly to note in them the sinister, deceitful, and hidden attacks of the Russian Soviet. Peace-loving men and women wholeheartedly supporting these synthetic movements, believing themselves to be in the right are in truth apostles and advocates of Communism. True, they are unwittingly made the dupes of the fiendishly clever leaders of the Red Army, who, veiled in their hypocritical garb of Peace, advocate complete disarma- ment for the entire world, while they, themselves, increase their own offence and defence tremendously. From the pages of the official Commun- istic organ come the vivid words:— “No precautions or preparations for the defence of the fatherland should be tolerated.” and yet does the Soviet Union, so steeped in evil, practice what it preaches? The answer is inevitable. Russia has never been so adequately prepared for any con- flict as at the present time. To reduce other nations to a minimum of defence, while arming themselves to the maximum power, is the desire and plan of the Com- munistic foes. Communism is a reality. It is not a fantasy, or the hallucination of a disturbed mind, but a stern, grim reality. The reality of Communism is shown in many ways. In the coal mine sections of our country, in the factories and foundries, and wherever justifiable strikes occur, there are to be seen the despicable disciples of the Red horde. As strike breakers, hired to intimidate the workers in their demands for better conditions, they arouse bitterness and strife through- out the land. As rebellious workers they instill in the hearts of the laborers a hatred and an antagonism toward the em- ployer, which culminate in bad blood be- tween employer and employee. The re- cent disastrous famine in China was at- tributed directly to the Red Army which invaded the country and devastated entire provinces, wiping out all crops, livestock, and every vestige of life. In this ruth- less manner, 15,000,000 people were slain by Soviet marauders. China, beset by these oppressing obstacles, arose in might and drove her despicable foes from the land. Shall we wait until eight per cent of our citizens have met a similar fate, or shall we arise in perfect unity as defenders of our democracy and stamp out the seeds of Communism that are finding root in the soil of our beloved land? Communism with its hatred and jeal- ousy for patriotism has reared its ugly head within the confines of our shores and is gradually seeking to undermine our country. It may be compared to a cancer- ous growth gnawing at the very vitals of the State. Can the doctrines of the Soviet Union surpass our zealous patriotism? A vehement denial by one hundred and twenty million Americans should be and will be the answer. When patriotism is mentioned we think of Washington, “the Father of our Coun- try,” surrounded by his loyal little band surviving the hardships of the severe win- ter at Valley Forge; of Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, in his determined stand for the preservation of the Union and the freedom of the slaves; of McKinley, call- ing for volunteers in the conflict with Spain, and the splendid manhood of America who responded with a will and served faithfully on land and sea; of our courageous doughboys on the battlefields of France; at the Argonne, St. Mihiel, Chateau Thierry — thousands shedding their true red blood on foreign soil while guarding our glorious democracy. These and countless other patriotic deeds have

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Class Oration DEFENCE OF THE AMERICAN IDEALS OF GOVERNMENT NO SUBJECT more appropriate could be chosen for our consideration on this occasion than that of the de- fence of the American ideals of govern- ment. As youth is a period of prepara- tion for manhood and womanhood, the present is a fitting time for us to equip ourselves with the essential knowledge of the duties of citizenship that we may in the near future participate actively in the preservation of American institutions and American government. Clothed with the invincible armor of that knowledge and bearing the bright shield of true patriot- ism. we shall take our places as the leaders of tomorrow. In our preparation for this worthy task we must acquaint ourselves with the sub- versive forces that would bring destruc- tion to our American form of government. The most dangerous foe of our American democracy at the present time is Commun- ism. The aim of Communism is the aboli- tion of the Constitution of the United States and the suppression of human rights and property rights guaranteed by that sacred Constitution. If I were to tell you the history of the subversive communistic forces working within our country, my words would scarcely cause a wave in the ocean of elo- quence. Were I to ask your aid in com- bating the communistic serpent that is rearing its ugly head in “the land of the free and the home of the brave ' I would be but doing my duty towards safeguard- ing America from our foes within and foes without. Patriotism is love, respect, reverence, and devotion to one’s country; the insid- ious forces that are working against this country can be termed nothing but the di- rect antithesis of this lofty virtue. Communism embraces doctrines and be- liefs alien to every element of American- ism, and is content to allow its teachings to flood the country with subtle propa- ganda and gradually undermine our gov- ernment. But our government will not be under- mined. Our great American Constitution, insti- tuted by the fathers and patriots of the American Revolution, and handed down to us through the years, will always survive, and in its survival are the hopes and ideals of future years. The most effective weapon against Com- munism is Patriotism—that lofty principle bequeathed to us by the framers of the Constitution, born of the struggle for inde- pendence of thirteen united colonies. Shall we prove faithless to the trust imposed in us by our Pilgrim forefathers, to the high ideals of civic and religious liberty of the Calverts of Maryland, and to the pioneers that opened up the far West to carve out for us a nation extending from ocean to ocean ? Shall we prove ourselves unworthy of their labors and sacrifices? We as children in the grammar grades, in a more or less mechanical or perfunc- tory manner, saluted our American flag and pledged allegiance to the republic for which it stands. And then as we went along in school the true meaning of the flag was brought home to us. We love, not a piece of cloth, but the principles and ideals for which it stands. The Red in our flag is emblematic of courage, representing the precious life blood of our soldiers shed on the battle- fields while safeguarding America. Is the Red in our Star Spangled Banner to be the red of the Communistic flag? The White in our flag, symbolic of purity, will it be sullied by the immoral and impure smirch of Communism? The Blue in our national emblem, signifying loyalty, will it be trampled upon by the sinister forces of the Red Army? These three great char- acteristics — Courage, Purity, Loyalty — so indicative of American patriotism, will they be blotted out by Communistic hosts? It is with little concern that we high school students today regard Communism We remain passive as our elders cope with the alarming situation which it presents, feeling that our lives are not affected. But in this respect we are laboring under a delusion. As the next generation, as the leaders of the future, it is imperative that we arm ourselves against this unseen enemy. We leave Somerville High School

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stirred the souls and found a responsive chord in the hearts of millions of Ameri- cans. How long would our glorious pre- decessors have tolerated the evil teach- ings of Communism? Would our Ameri- can mothers allow Soviet officials to snatch their newly-born babes from their arms and place them in government institu- tions? Would American college students submit to teachings which Soviet leaders alone thought suitable to their interests? And how long would the great sport-lov- ing spirit of millions of Americans abide by the tenet of Communism that considers all recreation worthless and the incom- parable Babe Ruth a monstrosity? The worst of countless evils in the Com- munistic plan is the principle that calls for the destruction of the home and the denial of belief in a Supreme Being. We have seen the result of religious intoler- ance in Russia, in Germany, in Spain, and in Mexico. Shall we cast into oblivion the Constitutional liberty which guarantees us the freedom of religious belief? It has been truly stated in the words of one of our greatest modern statesmen: “There can be but one Capital, Washing- ton, or Moscow; there can be only one atmosphere of government, the clean, pure, fresh air of free America, or the foul breath of Communistic Russia; there can be but one flag, the Stars and Stripes, or the red flag of the godless Union of the Soviet.” Fellow classmates, history repeats it- self. In the annals of our country it has been shown that outside forces have made attempts to undermine our great American institutions. When England imposed unjust taxes on her children across the sea the men and women of the thirteen American colonies arose in righteous indignation and the independence and liberty which we enjoy today are the result of this revolt. When Woodrow Wilson signed the declara- tion that plunged us into the great World War, our citizenry responded to a man, forgetting all personal considerations and rallying around “Old Glory,” preserved our cherished democracy. Now, when that democracy is being assailed by the giant of Communism, like an enormous octopus wrapping its tentacles around the base of our nation, we, like the citizenry of old, will band together unitedly and subjugate our common foe. And, therefore, in this endeavor to save our Republic from destruction, I am confi- dent, I feel secure in the trust that “this nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” will retain, preserve, and perpet- uate its priceless heritage, undying patriot- ism, for us and our posterity. William I. Connelly.