Williams High School - Messalonskee Ripple Yearbook (Oakland, ME)

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THE MIESSALONSKEE RIPPLE 21 of these changes our world has become more complex. New problems of social control confront us. Problems of taxation, conser- vation, protection, and regulation grow with increased population and increased activity of the masses. New and more difficult prob- lems of crime, delinquency and health come before us constantly. In such a dynamic civilization, education has become increasingly important as an agency of social control and as a means of social progress. In fact, the school with its ever increasing social studies may well be considered the bulwark of civilization and preservation of a democarcy. Social problems have been compared to boulders in the stream of social change. The changing character of civilization makes social problems continuously, for one prob- lem is succeeded by another, or by a diflierent aspect of the same problem. The solution of social problems, therefore, is as temporary as it is difficult. For the maintenance of social control and for the achievement of social progress study and solution are con- tinually necessary. One of the greatest challenges to our great democracy is the ever increasing problem of crime and delinquency. Crime is probably more expensive than the entire cost of government, at least during normal times. The causes of crime, like those of poverty, are found in the physical environment, in the economic environment, in the social en- vironment and in defects of government and education. Therefore the efforts of society should be directed toward the prevention of crime through improving the environmental conditions, and through developing good citizenship qualities in the youth of the land. Two methods are usually employed in the solution of social problems. One is to make a study of the causes of social failure and the other is to sympathize and keep those who suffer from social troubles. Poverty and crime can be used to show this contrast. Preachers of religion and teachers of morality have emphasized for- giveness and charity, which, like the quality of mercy blesses him who gives as well as him who receives. A cold scientific attitude, however, regards poverty and crime as social diseases to be studied with care and to be treated without sentiment. Just as yellow fever and typhoid fever have been reduced by increasing knowledge of causes and car- riers of these diseases and by increased con- trol over conditions favorable to their devel- opment, so poverty and crime can be reduced by a similar study of, and a similar effective attack on, causes, carriers, and contributing conditions. A physician, for example, must continue to treat his patients with the greatest skill at his command and with the best informa- tion available, while a research student con- tinues his experimentation and investiga- tion, as a result of which, the physician's scientific knowledge may be increased and improved. Similarly, practical social workers must care for the dependents and delin- quents in their charge while students in sociology continue their research into the causes of dependency and delinquency. But care without cure and the betterment of distress without the study and elimination of its causes would be like hailing out a boat without repairing the leak through which the water continues to run. We cannot solve our 'social problems with- out more social intelligence and the surest way to secure these ends, is to have more social and political education in our schools. We live in a social world more than in a world of material objects, where our chief adjustments must be made to men and to institutions, not to things. We can no longer trust common sense to adjust the individual to this world of human relationship, for our civilization has become such a complex system of relationship that no one can play his part in it well without a very considerable amount of general and specific social information. Therefore, the study of the relationship of men to one another must be the essential element in a system of education. Such studies as history, government, economics, ethics, and sociology must occupy a larger place in the education of the future if we are to secure a humanity

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20 THE MESSALUNSKEE RIPPLE the life of democracy is at stake, science is in mortal danger. Here in the United States men of all races have contributed to the advance of science. Science and democracy know no color line. White, black and yellow men have changed the face of America through science. It knows no national boundaries. Science and democracy recognize the dig- nity of man. Democracy regards each scien- tific worker as a human being free to investi- gate whatever field of science he may choose. Science wants light, not darkness, science wants reason not passion. Science means to iight dictatorship and to strengthen democ- racy. Classmates, we are indeed fortunate to- night to be graduating from high school and to be living in a democracy in which the vote of every man has equal weight of judgment in the tribunals of election. During the past four years we have been taught freedom: the freedom of all men to breathe the open air, to work, to play, to think as we wish. We have been taught humanity, justice for the criminal, pity for the impoverished, sympathy for all unfor- tunates. Let us resolve tonight as we go forth to make our pathway in life, that we will guard with fidelity the principles and ideals which have been handed down to us as a heritage from our forefathers. When we are called to defend our democracy fmay we do so to the best of our abilityj. I would like to extend, with my class- mates, our appreciation and gratitude to the superintendent of schools, the school board, our principal, and our teachers for their patient and inspiring assistance dur- ing our school career. We are sincerely happy tonight that our parents can be pres- ent because we realize that this graduation assumes the greatest importance to them. They are always anxious for us to succeed and, it is through their sacrifices which they have so willingly made, that we are able to finish our high school career. Lastly, in behalf of my class and myself, I wish to thank the citizens of the Town of Oakland who have made our graduation possible. RoNA1.u Rox' SALUTATORY SOCIAL STUDIES What is democracy? There are numerous definitions of the term democracy. To me, however, democracy is a form of govern- ment which gives the opportunity for an individual to derive the greatest possible benefits to himself, with due regard for the rights and privileges of others. We are all aware of the opportunities which exist for individuals and we know that many people are striving for personal advancements. This is a worthy ambition and should be encour- aged. However, we should not neglect the other side of the picture. In this world of ours we have come to realize that our very existence is defiinitely related to our fellow citizens. Unless those with whom we come in contact have opportunities for freedom, health, and happiness, we cannot, as individ- FOR DEMOCRACY uals, expect to prosper. In other words we are dependent upon others for our well being and progress. The study of our problems as they are related to other people is spoken of as social studies, and by society, we mean the great masses of people who compose our popula- tion. When we 'speak of social control, we refer to the means and methods of control- ling the activities and conduct of the people of the country. In the few short years of my experiences I have observed many changes in human progress. Great strides have been made in scientific achievement. Great advances have been made in agriculture, industry, trans- portation and communication. As a result

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22 THE MESSALONSKEE RIPPLE adjusted to the requirements of its existence. Many new experiments are being tried throughout our civilization, which depend for their success, upon a general diffusion of social intelligence. Democracy is such an experiment. The attempt to establish democ- racy without providing adequate social and political education for the mass of citizens must result in disaster. If we want democ- racy to succeed, we must educate for democ- racy. It is treason to our democratic in- stitutions to send forth from our schools young men and women who know little or nothing of the responsibilites, duties, and privileges of citizens in a democracy and of the social conditions and ideals which are necessary for the success of a democratic society. Only through socialized and political study can the highest caliber of citizenship be attained. The social sciences, aiming at the control of social conditions and of social progress, necessarily emphasize the higher life of man, and they therefore set before us the goal, not of material achievement or individual success, but of the service of mankind. If an intelligent public opinion is to be developed, if custom, law, and other social controls are to serve a useful purpose and promote civilization rather than retard it, a constructive social education program must be created. Education as a method of influencing and stimulating individual think- ing is the only hope of a democracy. CQERALDINE ISRIDGI-IS HONOR ESSAY PRESERVATION OF DEMOCRACY THROUGH WISE USE OF LEISURE TIME Leisure is time free from work or employ- ment. It is the spare time in which we people in a democracy can do as we wish, and say what we think. It is a spiritual state-a mood of freedom and joyousness. Our leisure time is taken up in many different ways. Sports, hobbies, reading-- all occupy a place in our daily life. Practi- cally everybody in our democracy has some free time which he spends on his favorite recreation. Many people everyday are in- dulging in sports and other activities. Some have too much free time on their hands. These are the ones who get into difficulties and tend to lower the morale of a democ- racy. If the people who cause trouble, were to live in a dictator-governed state, they would appreciate the great amount of leisure time they receive in our democracy. In a dictator-state one is told how to use his time-all of it. He is under the direct rule of one man. He is given certain litera- ture pertaining to the government and re- quired to read it. On the other hand, many books are restricted, and if discovered read- ing banned books, he receives a severe punishment. Every German youth, who is physically fit, is required to take military training at a very early age. If he isn't in good physical condition, he is assigned to another branch of work that will benefit Germany's pro- gram. No youth is left without 'some task for the government. Freedom of the press is one of the great privileges we have in America. Nearly everything comes from the American presses to help people occupy themselves with read- ing for entertainment and for educational purposes. One enormous and costly thing, which is an obstacle to us, is the large number of criminals we have in our country. These result from the unwise use of leisure time. Most criminals in our prisons today are those who never had a hobby, never indulged in sports, or have done anything to keep themselves occupied.