Waltham High School - Mirror Yearbook (Waltham, MA)

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g.,,g,,,,.,X..X.,x,,,.e...,..X,.,.,.,.x..X..X,,M,.s.. Valcdictory DOROTHY LATHAM LADIES AND GEN'rI,EMi2N: I HERE is some regret that in these exercises, we reach the end of our high school course. Graduation is always overshadowed by thoughts of parting, and this year it is especially solemn, The outlook seems gloomy, with all the world at war. We were accused- of being luxury-loving, too proud to iight, and devoid of loyalty and self-respect as a people. Despite this apparent darkness, there gleanis a splendid manifestation of American- ism. We turn our lawns into gardens, we forego some luxuries: we obtained full registration on draft dayg we sent a flotilla immediately into British waters, we despatched Pershing to France, and everybody has bought a Liberty B.ond. This awakening of the soul is evident in foreign countries as well as in the United States. Growth of national spirit is one of great good, among others, that so far has come out of so much evil. Science has always been a bind- ing link in the world's common interest. There are Edison lights in all foreign countries, lllar- coni's wireless telegraphy is universal, practically every country has railroads, made possible by the invention of George Stephenson, the Englishman. Intercourse with foreign neighbors by steamship lines, mails, and commerce, has been a unifying factor. The stand- ardization of weights and measures, especially those of electricity and of the metric system, is another proof of the unity that science has brought about. But now, -all these inventions of men's brains, by means of which the world was getting together, are used for the worst purposes. Now it must be the hearts and souls of nations which shall form a bond of strength. . as .., .,, One thing that may link peoples to- gether is the study of literature and language, which arouses many sym- pathies and interests. Yet there is something deeper, the spirit of nation- alism. When General .loffre visited Boston recently, cheer after cheer arose for the great leader who could speak not a word of our language. At George Washington's tomb Viviani paid him one of the greatest tributes that was ever uttered. The members of the party were too deeply stirred to speak. It was not language nor yet literature' that so moved the hearers. There was exhibited the great national spirit of honor. Lithuanians, Arme- nians, Servians, Poles, and Montene- grins, each of these peoples has its own individual language, and wishes to retain it, but in the craving for freedom all are one. The Jews look with longing toward Palestine, hoping to return to their ancient home, wrested from them centuries ago. They follow with keen interest the maneuvers of the British in their assaults against the Turks. Thousands of dollarslhave been raised in the United States for the relief of their famine-stricken and destitute brothers. They all hope to recover a country of their own. We are familiar with the story of Belgium. Deported, pillaged, and starving, the people live in hope, pour- ing out their souls in gratitude for the Red Cross work, and remaining faith- ful to their own little nation. Oppres- sion kindles in them the spirit of loy- alty. They feel sure of their future liberty. Serbia, too, has this spirit of nation- alism. She has been under Turkish dominion for live hundred years. She would not yield nor give up the Chris- tian religion for freedom under the .,,N.,N.,.N.,,-X.,.e.,x..N.,.c..,.,.,.,.,.,..,-N-e--x--x-e

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-f.L,.s..s..X,,s.,.X-,xJ.g,.x..x.,c,.c,,x,.g,,,,,g., .,,.,c.,X.,X.,.c.,.c.,1..,.,.x.,N.,X.,.c.,x.,X.,c.,x.,x I daft' Su' XJ, , .U .U .Q .U .U .Q .U .Q .U .U .Q .U .U .U .U .Q .U .U vALEDicTo.RY Crescent: she is a democracy in her- self and wishes to have liberty only when Turkey will emancipate her with no binding conditions. Slavery has awakened her heroic spirit, it has developed a patience and forbearance characteristic of oppressed nations. The Serbians have lived in their national poetry, have sung of Marko, their great epic king, just as the Greeks sang of Achilles. The peasants lived simply in the villages and bore their lot cheerfully. Upon the inva- sion of their native land, they made a brave, but futile stand. The Kaiser invited them, as refugees, to come Lack to their homes and customs. But the Serbians answered, Our custom is to sing of virtues only. How can we sing when we are returning to empty caves for homes and see nothing but vice and cruelty? We shall be silent until the final judgment. So, through tribulation, shine the hidden treasures of Slavic character. This same democratic, generous, and far-reaching spirit is seen in Russia. ln 1880 a Russian novelist delivered an address in memory of a poet, in which he said, To be a real Russian and to be wholly Russian means this: to be a brother of all men and to be univer- sally human. Future generations shall show to Europe a way of escape from its anguish in the Russian soul, which is universal. VVe have seen this prophecy fulfilled. We hail to the millions from bondage returning, who shall constitute a vast republic, the result of a great spark of patriotism that burst forth and kindled into freedom. Great credit is due to England for fighting the cause of the weaker and more oppressed little countries. She rallied to the side of the innocent. Through her they have their existence. Although nominally a kingdom she pos- sesses much democratic spirit. Her 4s,4S 43 fs in 42 13 4A Q 4+ colonies have shown her the most loyal support. From Australiato Canada thousands have united to serve with the serried ranks. Men too old to be soldiers join the aerial corps to build machinery, and, in time of need, regis- ter in every part of unselhsh service. Disraeli said that if Europe ever fell into an exhausted state, there would be an illustrious future for England, that it was for Europe, and not England that his heart sank, not illus- trious in conquests, but in self-denials for common good, Certainlyswe shall see this come true if she continues her sisterly protection for the sake of humane civilization. But for France, I think, we keep the warmest spot in our hearts. A nation whose spirit is that of Joan of Arc, cannot be defeated. Her self-sacrif1c- ing soul is like an inspiring vision. In the battle of the Marne, she drove back the German First Army. With 1870 ringing in' their ears, the French rushed on to the Huns and with almost bare hands, turned the tide of victory. Vive la France! lf France is dying then youth is gray, and steel is soft and flame is cold. But the flame is still burning! Now the United States, one of the champions of the rights of mankind, may be chastened by sacrifice. The hyphenated will disappear. We shall be more cosmopolitan, more compre- hending, and more sympathetic with all peoples, especially with those who stand by our side struggling for rights and for liberty. Out of death shall come life, and the dead shall have died not in vain. Although we say farewell tonight we shall not be separated, but united: American in hopes, aspirations, and ideals, that we may truly claim as ours, our national motto, E Pluribus Unum, Out of Many, One.