Thomas Jefferson High School - Aurora Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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OFFICIQ UF THF PRINCIPAL April 1, 1938 Dear flmfllmlesz At this writing there is a slight lull in the European turmoil. Nothing is at present settled, but the unwillingness of Furopean countries to start a major war has resulted in an armed armistice which assures a semblance of peace. How long this will last we cannot tell. The clash of philosophies and ideologies current in Europe may perhaps be reconciled without bloodshed. I earnestly hope so. From an American viewpoint it is more important than ever that we understand our own government as well as our obligations and our privileges as citizens. I cannot think of any country in the world that respects the dignity of the human spirit to the extent that ours does. Our constitution guarantees freedom of assembly. freedom of religious worship and freedom ol. speech. Nowhere in the world. except in a few of the democracies still left. is it possible to voice criticism and protest and to work toward changes both in government and in the economic order to the extent permitted here. The inference from all this to you as graduates is strikingly clear. Your point of view must be dominantly American and in your think- ing you llltlst take cognifance of what our precious Americanism means. The solutions to our problems Qthere is no denying that we have themt will come in an American way and must not be dictated to us by any of the 'Aisms popular abroad. If you are a realist and can appraise things as they are. you can afford to be optimistic. You know something of the cycles of history ancl you will not subscribe to the belief that bad conditions can remain the same for any length of time. There is a better life and a better era coming. It has been ever thus and it will be so again. Wfith best wishes for your personal happiness and success. Your friend and principal, , , W c 'A 'lf-1.f' '6 ,

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To the Clmdttzllmg Class: ln years gone by a relatively peaceful world seemed ready to welcome the graduate. Today, one must in candor admit that those quiet times are no more. As these lines are being written, the rumbling of the war machines is becoming more and more menacing, and threatens to engulf the whole world in bloody conflict. In many countries the despairing people have entrusted their lives and liberties to the whims of cruel and ruthless dictators who have extinguished the light of liberalism, freedom and culture. So lar. our own country has withstood the demogogic appeals of fascismg but the economic recession reminds us that our problems have by no means been solved. Millions of people still walk the streets with- out work and depend upon public charity for the satisfaction of their wants. Ol' the gainfully employed, many receive an inadequate return. One third of the nation, as we have been repeatedly reminded. is poorly fed. housed and clothed. In the richest land of the world. in the most technically advanced country in history, there are millions of tenant farmers and sharecroppers who scarcely eke out a living, migratory workers in the southwest whose livelihood is a precarious one. and millions of others whose lives are unhappy and future, uncertain. But all is not despair. If things are not as they should be. we are at least slowly evolving a social consciousness that accepts the responsi- bility for the suffering of our fellow men. NVe are coming to the con- clusion that the greatest security of our country rests upon the well- being and happiness of its people. It will be up to the new generation-you. the graduates of Jefferson and the youth of the whole country-to carry on and fulfill the promise of real Americanism. Yours is the problem and responsibility of setting aright a world racked by fear, uncertainty, want. This advice is not given lightly. I am well aware of the dilliculties that lie in the path of social reformers. Like the hunter in Olive Schreiner's beautiful allegory by that name. the searcher after truth and justice is beset on all sides with suspicion. scorn. criticism and greed. The road is rocky. the material rewards meager. ln the service of man- kind one does not expect financial gain or even immediate approval or success. Une must be satislied with the knowledge that some worth- while deed has been done. Sincerely yours. tstuiii. soriixixlck