Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

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THE W. H. S. DEBATER The mingling of a thousand melodies. Combining in the grand crescendoes peal : Here factories reverberate with sound. The elevated grinds its ceaseless roar — Th ' accompaniment of grim bare-handed Toil, That from the under-world lifts up its voice : Hark to the song of furnace and forge Worthy the salt of hire. Ringing the rythm of writhing steel White from the embered fire, — Ho, mighty the sons of Vulcan are we. Guarding the mouth of hell — Bellows and anvil and white-curved steel Yield to the muscle ' s swell. Ho, for the blast of the burning forge. Glowing with sparkling steel ; Bronze muscles dripping with iron sweat Grind fate beneath the heel, — Let who will work with harrow and plough And turn the red-brown sod — But forge and furnace and pulsing strength - These are the gifts of God ! So from the forge and furnace. Toil lifts up The joyous voice of duty well performed. While deep from the horizn ' s pale-streaked rim In answering refrain grim labor sounds : Ho, for the life of the bridge-builders High on the girder ' s length. Sky above and the river below And only one man ' s strength. But strength of the strong and the fearless. Courage that cannot fail At each swing of the derrick ' s lifting. Each stroke of hammered nail. Muscle and sinew and brawney strength Poised ' twixt heaven and earth ; They were worthy Mothers of Men, tha Women who gave us birth — Yet swinging high on the swaying beam. We risk with careless grace That life of the iron strength and toil — Ho, what is death to face ! Thus ruthlessly the Sons of Toil give life And limb for structured steel, content to sing Their strain in the World ' s chorus until Death Shall break them on the wheel ; content to teach By their exampled lives the nation ' s strength Upon the strength of man depending, ' till That day when Capital and Labor shall Combine, and Science stooping from her height Shall join her hand with theirs, in unison To lift from groveling man the horny hand, Of Toil, to smooth the wrinkles of his care. And show to after-worlds that shall unfold The unit strength of man protecting man. Lo, ' tis the song of the World-Chorus, The measured beat of care. Filled with the sorrow of life and love Bitter the heart to bear — Triumphing over the strife of toil. Deathless with hope and peace. Word of the God of Eternity Song of the soul ' s release.

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THE W. H. S. DEBATER THE TRINITY OF LABOR === BY MARJORIE CARTWRIGHT, 1912 Against the simm ' ring shafts of mid-day sun The glow ' ring city flings its soot-clad towers ; Along its streets the busy hum of life. The stir of noon-returning toll with cries Confused, and mingling hoarsely like the sound Of seething surf breaking with sullen song Upon the shore, moves army-strong, and like The vandal hordes, vast and all-conquering. Sweeps away huge barriers and surges On to meet the whistle ' s clarion call. Street venders, raucous voiced, shout loud Their petty wares, and crowd the thronging press With elbowed mutterings, while blue-sleeved law Restrains with Vviide-protecting arms, and guards The trafficked curb. And still the hot sun pours Its burning rays upon the beaten pave Reflecting twice and thrice its mirrored self : While echoing and re-echoing toil Its step directs in duty ' s pathless way. And higher up the deafening clamor mounts Upon the sultry, leaden winged air Far up where office windows burnished gleam. And brain and concentrated thought provide Th ' accustomed tasks of daily man. Here life And all its myriad movements are controlled. And strength is taught the power of reason ' s sway : Here Capital pours forth its golden flood To labor ' s outstretched hand, and craftily Extracts its more than rightful due, watching With hundred peacocked eyes its victims wrilhe. And struggle in the gilded toils : here, loo. Calm-thinking Science sits, and chin on hand. Broods pensively some new device for man; Or oft conceives a filmy thread of thought. Weaving the warp and woof iiito a web Of perfect structured form, that shall teach men The guiding of the universe, — shall show To Capital the master of its power, Shall give to sweating Labor hard wrought wage — Science, dependent victor that she is. Half grudgingly shall give her counseled craft. And here shall Capital and Science both Watch Labor ' s ceaseless toil, and listening Shall hear from out the depths of seething earth Its chorded song rise full and mellow, like The swelling organ ' s rounded harmony Full-throated from the diaphragm of Toil ; Still with intentness listening, shall discern

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THE W. H. S. DEBATER The Girls ' Debating Society BY L. MOSES, Secretary THE Girls ' Debating Society is, at present, in a very flourishing condition. There are thirty- three members, thirteen of whom have just been admitted. It is gratifying to note the in- creased membership of Seniors. There were but five Senior members at the beginning of the term but the number is now increased to twelve. There have been four debates held so far this year. The first was held Thursday, October 3. The subject was. Resolved : that suffrage in the United States shall be restricted by educational qualifications. Four Juniors disputed the question. The judges decided in favor of the negative side. The second debate was on the subject, Resolved : that secret societies shall be prohibited in high schools. Four Seniors argued the question which proved to be of exceptional interest. The winning side, the negative, had only one point more than their opponents, which testified to the closeness of the debate. The third debate was held November 7, the subject being, Resolved : that the people of the United States should rule in name only. The affirmative side won. This question was of much interest coming as it did directly after the election. The result of the debate, was, however, quite at va- riance with the election results. The last debate was on the subject. Resolved : that the prize system promotes the best interests of students. This is a very live question and much interest was manifested by the members of the Society. The decision was in favor of the nega- tive side which seems to tally with the belief of the school authorities. During the present year the constitution of the Society has been revised by the executive committee and it is now in the hands of the printer. On Saturday evening, November 23, the entire Society was very graciously entertained at the home of Elsie Doleman. The evening was passed pleas- antly with games and music; and at the close dainty refreshments were served. Altogether the Society has had a very successful year so far, and there is every reason to believe that this happy state of affairs will continue. 3n iliemonam THE BOYS ' DEBATING SOCIETY 1912 Where is the silk flag which the Boys ' Debating Society voted last year to present to the High School ? Was it used as a winding shroud for the organization ?