Westbrook High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Westbrook, ME)

Page 24 text:

N i 'V The Blue fr White 22 endeavoring to secure their liberty. Equality had always been understood, but now it was being questioned. These people were deter- mined to have that which they had cried for in their native land-equality. Thus far they had succeeded. However, our next important war, the Civil War, was fought over that subject on which America was founded. By subjugating the negro the South gave birth to an absolute con- tradiction to the intents of their forefathers. Was that right? In our more recent World War the same subject arises. First, however, let me ask again, What is an American? Perhaps if many had made a study of their genealogy to find out from what country their forefathers came to America, they would not have entered the World War. In this struggle between na- tions, men of German, Austrian, and Russian lineage were arrayed against men in whose veins German, Austrian. and Russian blood flowed. Did God intend men to fight their kinsmen? Again arises this same subject. Have we as Americans a right to consider our- selves superior to the people of those nations who helped place us where we are today? As the years have stepped down the ladder of time, so have the good intentions of our Puritan fathers slipped through the minds of the generations. True, we have justice, and we could ask for no more freedom, but are we maintaining that theory of equality? A for- eigner anarchist Who, as a punishment, was told to read the lives of famous American men, once stated that he was surprised to realize the sound foundation of this country, built up by great men whose ancestors came from in- Huential countries across the water. Too, he was surprised at the small amount of this which was taught to foreigners as well as na- tive-born Americans, and the way in which the latter shunned the former. who are in truth merely kinsmen of our founders. Considering the fact that there are about four hundred fifty different languages spoken in America, has any citizen of the United States a right to scoff at another inhabitant be- cause of a peculiar foreign accent? In fact, our accepted American language has been stated by the English to be merely a descendant of, not a parallel with their spoken language. For a foreigner to become a true American citizen it takes live years of living in this country, plus much studying and anxiety. Even after aliens can claim naturalization pa- pers, they may be scoffed at by those often times whose ancestors did the same thing that they might be free. For instance, why scorn the jew? Did not his nation give to the world a stable and well-founded religion? And what, pray, has America to offer to counterbalance this great donation? In many cities the jews, as money lenders, have controlled and made stronger the financial situations-conditions without which no person, state, or country has hope of success. Therefore. why ostracize a person just because his name ends in -burg or -vitch ? - All over this country today are organizations urging the naturalization of foreigners, which means nothing more or less than the desire for equality. Therefore, let us who boast of American ancestors as far back as the Revolu- tion and even to the landing of the Pilgrims aid these diligent workers to insure the re- maining third of our founders' plea-namely, equality. In endeavoring to accomplish this, let us keep constantly before our eyes as a shining light The American's Creed : I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States, a perfect Union, one and in- separable, established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I, therefore, believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution,

Page 23 text:

. rs Westbrook High School 2l In vain conieci books, a lamp, Some bottles, and a lapisg Tum grasped my trusty pistol et . Took my aim cum cura. I had six shots. Dixi, Immortales! May I that miser felis kill! Quamquam I took six of her lives- The other tria sang still. The felis howled with maior vim, Although my aim erat true, Conatus sum putare quid In tonitu I could do. A scheme advenit to my caput, Scivi it would make her winceg I sang! Et then the hostis fied Non earn vidi since. B. T., '30. SCHOOL SPIRIT What ails the Westbrook High School team ? We hear the grown-ups sayg It's the empty rows in the Legion Hall That are always in the way. Of course, they play their hardest And give everything they own, But who can win a hard game When the school spirit stays home. just imagine yourself a player And think how hard you'd work, You'd give your best at every game Even though the rooters shirk. So we're going to go to every game, And say, how we will cheer! And none can say that school spirit ls lacking in Westbrook next year. I. L., '32. Where can a man buy a cap for his knee? Or a key to the lock of his hair? Can his eyes be called an academy Because there are pupils there? In the crown of his head what gems are found? Who travels the bridge of his nose? Can he use when shingling the roof of his house The nails on the end of his toes? Can the crook of his elbow be sent to jail? If so, what did he do? How does he sharpen his shoulder blades? I'll be hanged if I know, do you? Can he sit in the shade in the palm of his hand? Or beat on the drum of his ear? Does the calf on his leg eat the corn on his toes? If so, why not grow corn on the ear? THE AMERICAN PEOPLE What is an American? The inevitable ques- tion is arising again. I say again, for in truth this has been answered by many people both satisfactorily and logically, yet each has had a different idea on the subject. First, however, let me explain that I am taking the bigoted view entertained by many people of the United States that, in referring to Americans, we, un- der the Stars and Stripes, are the only persons meant. Rightly and justly the other Americans -people of Canada, Mexico, and the South American countries-complained loudly at our monopoly of a name which is no more ours than theirs. In truth we might use United Stations, but that sounds more like a name of incorporated gasoline stations than the name of a group of people. Therefore, through- out this essay in referring to Americans, I mean merely the children of Uncle Sam. Now let us trace roughly the history of these peo- ples in relation to wars--their purpose and outcome. In England early in the seventeenth century arose the cries of justice, Liberty, Equality! As a people we have, by several conflicts of varying length, obtained our liberty and jus- tice. Have we established equality? Let us consider this question. It is a familiar story how these souls which issued this triple demand came to America to execute their desires. These strong-minded Puritans proclaimed that never in this new land should there be anything but justice, lib- erty, and equality. Their first important war was with the French and Indians and in this struggle the soldiers were spurred on by the thoughts of liberty and freedom. And as right always rules, the English were victorious in the combat. Next came the Revolutionary W'ar, the merits and demerits of which have been preached, taught, and sung throughout the ages. Familiar to our ears is the cry of Pat- rick Henry, Give me liberty or give me death. Up to this time our ancestors had been O

Page 25 text:

VVestbrook High School 23 Compliments of l 1 Complin-tents of I WESTBROOK TAVERN RUTARY CLUB 0 WESTBRUUK NWN ,fA23,Sd'fi R an 512 it -emi ff' PHILLIPS 86 WEBB LUMBER CO. All Kinds of Lumber and Building Materials Telephone 32 Compliments of HARRY D. BROOKS Manufacturers' Agent 48 Exchange Street Portland, Maine Compliments of FREDETTES BARBER SHOP l T MRS. H. F. NOYES l l QDon't .Buy in Circles---CC7J'alze a Straight .fine to l I WATSON'S NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY STORE i Fancy Groceries and Meats Green Truck in their seasons S. M. WATSON 6 Pine Street, Cumberland Mills Telephone 660 BRIGGS 86 RAEBURN COSTUMERS N SUCCESSORS TO BROWN W COSTUMER l 1 Costumes for Masquerades, Pageants, Minstrels and Theatricals l l Directors and Producers of Shows X of all kinds 1 5422 Congress Street Portland, Maine 1 WY- i7Y V l COMPLIMENTS OF l I D. A. FRASER i GROCERIES - MEATS - PROVISIONS 224 BROWN STREET WESTBROOK - MAINE TELEPHONE 768