St Marys High School - Labarum Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

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Cl' he Heart of America lgclgll OT many years have passed since the word America and all that it implies was looked upon with scorn by the people of foreign nations. That this impression of the American people became common is not to be wondered at for Europeans formed this opinion from what they knew of American tourists and those that travelled abroad squandering the Almighty Dollar. When the Great War broke out in 1914, foreign nations looked to America for their manufactured goods, their munitions and war supplies that they had not a means of producing. The fact that America was making large profits on the sale of these war supplies served to intensi- fy European disgust at what was termed money.grabbing for the Al- lied Nations thought that America was simply trading upon their neces- sities at a time when civilization seemed at the brink of ruin. Time after time the Allied Nations were eager for America to enter the war, but not until April 1917, did the Stars and Stripes unfurl them- selves to the Winds of war. When America entered the conflict the army and navy were only of peace-time strengthg but as she engaged in War not for gain or conquest but because the fundamental principles of our Government were denounced and the heart of America was pierced by insults, it was not long before five million red blooded sons of democracy had pledged themselves to do or die in order that liberty and the rights of man might sustain the attack of oppression. , Then, too, did America show great kindness by depriving herself of food and clothing to send it across the sea to the starving people of China and the famine-stricken Russians and Belgians. But this was not all,-America gathered up twenty billion dollars and sent it over to Russia not in the hope of getting it back with interest but only to save that country from destruction and ruin. The Great War which carried desolation to so many countries was brought successfully to a close in November 1918. At last the armies were dissolved. To the soldier worn with conflict this was the end of war, and to civilians of the world it meant peace. The soldier's hour was over. His duty had been to destroy everything that obstructed the freedom of the world. But the work of the American people was not over and will not be over as long as disorder prevails in the cities of Rus- sia and among the victims of German cruelty that are starving and dying in the villages of the Balkans and the weary highways of the East. The duty of theAmerican people is obvious. They must stretch out helping hands to those people emerging from chaos who are weakened in strength and spirit but are new-born in ideals of freedom. The American people have done great things. It was the added strength of their army that turned the balances of the warg it was the

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peal that the individual realize more fully his social obligations and duties, each man understanding that he forms a vital part of the coun- try's life. The speaker told also of the need of divinely guided motives of patriotism, that the horrors of war from the standpoint of race and nation, and the divine sanction of all efforts to supress it, be more fully understood. He pointed out that the views held by the individual, the votes cast by him, the sentiments uttered, the reflection that the indi- vidual gives to questions in regard to public welfare, and the attitude he shows toward a nation's laws, are of the utmost importance, for it is combined individual thought that goes to make up national life. Fear of invasion and eagerness to protect its national boundary lines, make one nation cautious about limiting its war equipment. The economic necessities of another, cause it to be reserved in the expression of its views on the disarming of nations. Pressure of population and desire for a national expansion cause still another to be cautious in spite of the generosity it shows in its speech. Some nations, helpless on ac- count of domestic disunion, spread uncertainty among the other nations. Reluctance to trust the spoken or even written word, and the time old custom of building defenses against emergencies, make all nations move most cautiously. Among the nations considering disarmament, our own beloved country stands eager to do its utmost while passing over the difficult ways that lead to peace. Perhaps we are able to carry our good-will a little further than other nations because our country is unhampered by historical policies or by experiences whose lessons are not without bitter- ness. Every type of statesmen, of political expert, of educator and of culture organization, has expressed in most cordial terms its approval of the purposes of this disarmament conference. In the consideration of these thoughts, we have come to realize more fully what the successful accomplishment of the measures adapted to secure disarmament would mean to the home life of a nation, to realize the severe destruction that is an accompaniment of war which affects not only property but the industrial life of the nations involved and casts its dark shadows on education, art, and science. It is the hope and prayer of every American that each represented nation in the conference, unswayed by selfish ambition or covetous de- sire, should use its separate and united influence to abolish war with its suffering and sorrow and loss. May the world soon see the time when difficulties may reach a settlement not by the confusion and horror of battle, but by an act of that priceless gift which God has given man- his intellect. -Frances A. Ryan, '22

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labor of the American people that spurred the flagging spirits of the Allied Nations, renewed their faith in the future and stiffened their will to win. On account of the strength and harmony of the American people, we have become idealized in the mind of Europe. The spark of hatred has turned into a flame but it is a flame of hope and courage, wherever helplessness and affliction hold sway, there,-no matter how remote the place-is found the true America, the America of great-heartedness and human sympathies. -Edward A. MacDonald, '22 Longfellow, Cfeachcr and Friend The wonderful character of Longfellow inspires us to look farther into his life. His genial, loving, kindly nature shines from all his works. The poet of the home, the poet of childhood, the poet of old- time love, the poet of the elemental emotions-these are some of the titles applied to him and they explain the high place he holds in people's hearts. It was his happy fortune to grow in popularity until his name was known and loved wherever the English language was spoken. His inimitable quality of simplicity gave efficacy to his every message, whether of cheer, of sympathy, or of hope. He did not deal with the tragedies of mankind but chose to keep close to everyday life. Someone has aptly written, Only he who lives a life of his own can help the lives of other people. Surely this was exemplified in the life of Longfellow. He lived a calm, serene life and was a stranger to envy,jealousy, and that spirit of revenge so prominent in Pope, Byron and others. He possessed in a high degree the power of forget- ting self and making friends by seeing, feeling and appreciating the nobility and goodness that dwells in the souls of others. His amiability of character made him known and loved by American children, and that this love for children was retured is shown in his lines: Ye are better than all ballads That were ever sung or said, F l' ' ems or ye are ivmg po , And .all the rest are dead. . Longfellow took special pride in lending cheerful words of encourage- ment to the young, especially to those about to choose their life work.