Stoneham High School - Wildlife Yearbook (Stoneham, MA)

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THE STONEHAM HIGH SCHOOL AUTHENTIC Cii ' abiTatton J bbrfss GEOBGE WASHINGTON ' S POWERFUL CHARACTER “Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this conti- nent a new nation” — . Such, we all know, is the beginning of Lincoln’s Ad- dress given on the battlefield of Gettys- burg, To what other man than George Washington could Lincoln have been referring, when we realize that no man exercised, or exercises now, more influ- ence than he on the people and govern- ment of the United States of America? What character stands out more vividly in the minds of Americans than Wash- ington ? A recent American historian has said that “General Washington is known to us, and President Washington; but George Washington is an unknown man.” Washington’s character has ex- erted so much power that he stands in our minds as a myth and not as a man who once had life ! Such an attitude toward Washington is, of course, a trib- ute. Still, we sliould not lose sight of the fact that, although he was great as a soldier, equally great as a statesman, and greater as a leader of men, he was greatest of all as a mere man. Thus we must regard him in his capacity as a man before we can understandingly dis- cuss his life and character. Washington’s power of character came to the fore even in his earliest boyhood. He was well liked by all his friends and soon was regarded by them as their leader. His famous rules of conduct were written at the age of thirteen. Then we foll ow him into early youth, and discover that he was given his first job of surveying a tract of land by an Englishman, Lord Fairfax. His char- acter was responsible for his gaining i this position, because Fairfax, an expe- rienced man of the world, saw in him not merely courage and ambition, but a great number of finer qualities. A short time later his military career had its beginning and, because of his courage and trustworthiness, he was ap- pointed lieutenant-colonel of Virginia’s militia to oppose the French, After suc- cessfully repelling the invaders, the at- tempt was made to put him on an equal level of importance with the other offi- cers of the Virginia militia. Washing- ton resented this because he was nat- urally proud, and also on the ground that he was the only officer who had seen any fighting. He therefore resigned his commission. From this point we pass over the re- maining years of his military career and we see him again as the master of Mount Vernon. When we think of Washington as guiding the destinies of a young nation, we cannot imagine him being concerned very much about so- cial life and agriculture. Yet, such was the ease, and a visitor to Mount Ver- non is known to have said that Wash- ington’s greatest pride was to be thought the first farmer in America. Washington himself once wrote: “Agri- culture has ever been the most favorite amusement in my life,” and it is a fact upon which historians agree that Wash- iigton was never happy away from Mt. Vernon. He divided the majority of his time between the entertainment of numerous guests in his house and the cultivation of new plants in his garden. Such is a glimpse into the very marked home life of a seemingly stern states- man. 4

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GRADUATION NUMBER of slangy, hot-headed, lovable Jo, and I also copied some of her good traits. My mother was quite delighted when I counted to one hundred before begin- ning battle. “The Curiosity Shop” impressed me so much that, ever since, I have had an unreasoning prejudice against dwarfs. Last year I read “The Keeper of the Door.” It is one of the most fascinat- ing books I have ever read. I am read- ing it now for the fourth time. The characters are real, vital people and as for the hero — well, I admire him tre- mendously. Part with my books? Hardly! They are my truest, most dependable friends. Doris Bowser ’32. MY FIVE FOOT SHELF. Lately I have been thinking quite a lot about the books I would like to have on the shelf in my room. I have about two hundred children’s books, but, except for a novel or two, I have as yet no others. First of all in the list would come the Bible, which, of course, I have. Next I would choose the “Rubaiyat” of Omar Khayyam ; there is such a wealth of wisdom and pleasure in that. A set of Shakespeare would, of course, be indis- pensible. No library could possibly be complete without the Immortal Bard. Now, perhaps, you will guess my par- ticular interest in life, when I admit that I should next admit to my shelf “The Life of Anna Pavlowa,” and Isa- dora Duncan’s “My Life.” These two greatest dancers of all time are my ideals. They have captured my imagi- nation just as they did the imaginations of all who saw them dance their wonder- ful impersonations of color and rhythm. Now for my poetry! I would wish to possess the poems of Dorothy P arker, for their irony and wit; the poetry of the Indian Tagore, for its filigree beauty; the beautiful love lyrics of the Englishwoman, Sara Teasdale. Carl Sandburg also appeals to me, for he al- ways sees life from so many angles. Louisa May Alcott and George Eliot are my favorite novelists. Of course they can’t be compared, and yet — Last of all, I would have a little leath- er-covered book in which I should place the poetry written by my friends. This, I think, I should treasure most of all. Virginia Williams ’32. “PLUS ULTRA” “This Far and Farther,” is the motto of the class of ’32. How many of us will be inspired to go farther? Fellow classmen, take this motto and put it away in your mind, never to for- get it. This is a final challenge to each and every one of you : You have gone this far; do you intend to go farther? You are gathered together today, as one asesmbled body for the last time. For twelve years, you have progressed under the title of “Class of ’32.” After tonight you will be but a class of the past. All your small victories and de- feats, all your glories and honors will be forgotten. You have worked hard and played fair for twelve long years, striving for the honors which you will receive today. You have arrived this far. The final aim is for you to go farther. To some of you, S. H. S. will be your only Alma Mater. Make your Alma Ma- ter proud of you! The height of your future careers lies on the foundation which you have had. Everything that you are had its beginning and development here. Carry these early ideals with you and cherish them as something sacred. Above all, remember that the “thing” man calls character is of vital impor- tance. You have already laid the basis of your character. As you go farther you should raise it to even greater heights. Do so, to such an extent that S. H. S. will recall you as one of the best of the Class of ’32! M. B. ’32. TO A MOUNTAIN Little I ask, for little I have, My wants are very few. I only wish that I might have A pretty view of you. I care not for a mansion Or a castle tall; I only wish for a hut of logs Where I can keep my all. Some men wish for riches ; Others wish for fame. Some men try hard to attach A title to their name. I only want my humble hut To take my troubles to, Where I can sit and dream and have A gorgeous view of you. Pauline Miller ’32. 3

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GRADUATION NUMBER Heedin the call of his nation, he left the quiet life at Mount Vernon to as- sume command of the Continental for- ces and to tight for the independence of the United States, In this, as in no other case, Washington showed himself to be a competent leader of men. The army of which he took charge was un- organized and undisciplined. Therefore it might have seemed an impossible task to some to prepare it for fighting. But Washington was patient and tact ful, although sometimes irritated, and successfully organized and equipped the arm 3 Like Napoleon, Lee, and many other great commanders, Washington stands out for the devotion which he in- spired in his men. He returned this devotion and added to it a comprehen- sion of their d ifficulties and sorrows which they could not reciprocate. This is ilustrated in a portion of a letter which Washington wrote to the Penn- sylvania legislature. It was in reply to the demand that the army stay in the field and not go into winter quarters at Valley Forge, It reads as follows : “I can answer those gentlemen that it is a much easier and less distressing task to draw remonstrances in a comfort- able room, by a good fireside, than to occupy a cold, bleak hill, and sleep under frost and snow, without clothes or blankets. However, although they seem to have little feeling for the naked and distressed soldier, I feel super- abundantly for them, and from my soul I pity those miseries which it is neither in my power to relieve or prevent.” His soldiers knew that he felt for them and that he did for them all that was humanly possible, and for him they suffered as they would for no other leader. At the end of the war it was through his influence that Congress re- luctantly paid the claims of his soldiers. Washington to the very core por- trays patriotism! This characteristic is brought out when he is called from a peaceful retirement at Mount Vernon to become the first President of the United States. It required only a short moment of indecision for him to make up his mind and on April 6, 1789, he left Mount Vernon for New York. Washington, as he started out on this great venture, did not have as much con- fidence in himself as the people did. This is revealed from a notation in his diary: “I set out for New York, with the best disposition to render service to mj country, in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering its ex pectations.” He was greatly moved, and profoundly saddened by his trip to New York. To his constant friend, his diary, he confided that the ovations filled his mind with “sensations as pain- ful (considering the reverse of this scene, which may be the case after all my labors to do good) as they are pleas- ing. And so, from his own writings, we find that Washington started out as President with an inferior opinion of his ability. We gain from his activities, once he had put his hand to the helm, that this state of mind was soon con- quered and the building of a foundation for the United States was carried on without a mishap. This was made pos- sible only through Washington’s cour- age and steadfastness in overcoming the handicaps which the French Revolution and European War caused. But for the confidence of the majority of the voters of the Unitde States in President Wash- ington as an npright, truthful, able, and courageous man, the Republic would never have weathered the storm. What wonder then that George Wash- ington occupies an unique place in the hearts of the American people? Their respect and admiration for him are un- bounded. Washington was recognized as a truly great man, not only in the newly organ- ized United States, but also in Europe. The Prussian Emperor Frederick the Great, admired his military ability im- mensely. Even his late opponent. King George III, paid him a compliment dear to Washington’s heart, when he wrote that he considered him the foremost ag- ricultural expert in America. No greater patriotic test ever came to any man than what many consider Washington’s greatest achievement; the formation of a permanent national gov- ernment from the chaos and wreckage of the Ante-Revolutionary Period. Rupert Hughes, the novelist and his- torian, started out to destroy the Wash- ington tradition. He considered Wash- ington had been over estimated and de- sired to destroy what he believed to be a fictitious character. At the end of the second volume he confessed that, be ginning his work in a spirit of irrev- erence, he had come, through association with him, to acquire a respect for the character of Washington which amount- ed to veneration. I shall not attempt to add further eulog 3 ' to Washington. That would be 5