973.7L63 GM574 The Mexican boy. February, 1927. LINCOLN ROOM UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY y^.^ 5«», /»m/**5XA ^a!!3<*v m<^J). iLiS:-?^ ^.. X2!<*^ ^**:rf ^-22*^' v*>iry Y^2!<»*'>»*:5nr TC" MEXICAN BOY ^»»n FEBRUARY -» I927 /•>«5XJ5 >«cry^ 4^- SJ!>»»y >*i'!5n*Y^5 '*«^^ ^Vszs^*' Drawing and Linoleum Tint Block made by HERON ROMERO An Eighth Grade Student ^ The MEXICAN BOY To the Memory of Lincoln ^y Albert Corral ,N times of peace, genius is not aflame and great- ness is not apparent, but when a crisis comes, then God with his mighty power lifts the cur- tain of obscurity and reveals the man of the hour. The men who become great in peace, are great only in their time, but with the passing of the years, their words, their deeds, and their names are soon forgotten. There was one man however, more honored than any other while living, more revered when dead, and whose name is destined to be the greatest that history has to en- scribe upon its annals. The man is Abraham Lincoln. But why was this man so loved that his death caused a whole nation to forget its triumph and turn its gladness into mourning? Why has his fame grown with the passing of the years? Until now scarcely a speech is made without some reference to his name or to the wonderful qualities of his character. Let us see what it was that made Abraham Lincoln the man that he became. Born as lowly as the Son of God, he was reared amid the hum- blest of surroundings. An heir of poverty, insignificant, obscure, and untaught. Yet it was reserved for this un- known being without name, fame, or ordinary preparation, late in life, to be snatched from obscurity, raised to supreme command, and entrusted with the destiny of a nation. Lincoln took the greatest responsibility that the world has ever witnessed — the preserving of the Union and the liberating of a race. He filled the measure of responsi- ^ The MEXICAN BOY bilitv alloted to him to the wonderment of the world. "I four years — four years of terrible devastating war, his en- durance, his fertility of resources, his generosity, were sorely tried and never found wanting". It is impossible to say that Lincoln was not inspired of God for nowhere else could he have acquired the necessary qualifications needed to meet the great responsibility placed upon his shoulders. Where did Shakespeare get his his genius.^ Where did Mozart get his music. ^ Whose hand is it that guides the destinies of nations.^ God alone, and as surely as these men were gifted by God, Abraham Lincoln was inspired by God. The memory of Abraham Lincoln is more strongly im- pressed upon our minds as we recall the qualities which con- stituted his character. "Benevolence and forgiveness were the basis of Lincoln's great character." Lincoln's goodness of heart, his sense of duty, his unselfishness of others, and his simplicity of thought were never disturbed by either power or opposition. His love of justice was equaled only by his delight in compassion. His integrity was never questioned and his honesty was above suspicion. He was the embodiment of courage, of wisdom, of patient kind- liness, and of common sense. Lincoln was not only raised for his time, but also as a wor- thy example that will live forever. Time, the hardest test of all great deeds, will but augment the greatness of his name. He is alive in the memories of mankind; he is held in admiration by the world; he is enshrined in the hearts of his countrymen. May God make us worthy of the memory of Abraham Lincoln. ^< 3 ">¥■ PUBLISHED by the SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS of the SPANISH AMERICAN INSTITUTE, GARDENA, CALIFORNIA Volume V February 12, 1927 Charles Martinez . • . . . Number i Editor ASSISTANT EDITORS Victor Almaraz, Marcos Arreola, Albert Corral, Arthur Cota, Fred Garcia, Ruben Toscano Editorial INCOLN DAY is the annual gala day of the Spanish American Institute. The reason this day has been chosen from all others, is be- cause our life has a greater resemblance to Lincoln's, than to that of any other great man. We are poor, striving for an education under a christian training. We have our aims and our ambitions, which some- times seem to be difficulties and we are apt to yield very easily to discouragement. But when we consider Abraham Lincoln, who did not even have the bare necessities of life, and what he accomplished, we are greatly inspired, and we have a tendency to strive on. We look to Abraham Lincoln as our ideal. He is the ideal of the poor christian youth, who is striving to make a mark in the world. Because our life so closely resembles the life that Lincoln led, we feel that no other man in the world could give us the inspiration and encouragement that this magnificent being has given us. •^■^ < 4 >4-^ The MEXICAN BOY ^ Recreation and Social Activities |N the life of any school, recreation plays a great part. Athletics have been our favorite form of recreation. At the beginning of this year a tennis tourna- ment was held under the direction of Mr. John P. Howe. The contestants were divided into two divisions; the juniors, and the seniors. The prize for the juniors was a half dozen tennis balls, and for the seniors a five dollar tennis racket. Heron Romero was awarded the ten- nis balls and Arthur Cota was presented with the racket. After the tennis fever died, soccer came into popularity. Although we have not had a school soccer team, there have been interclass games, and games between dormi- tories. At present we are in the midst of our basket-ball season. Mr. Timms, our coach, is doing very excellent work with both our lightweight and heavyweight teams. He is teach- ing them the system of playing which "Pop** Warner advocates to his men. So far, the lights have lost two out of four games, while the heavies, out of six games played, have won all. The big social event of the school term was the Hallowe'en party with the Fances De Pauw girls at the "movie city*'. The entire school journeyed to the young ladies* home, where we were royally entertained, with a program, games, and refreshments. From our viewpoint, it was a great suc- cess, for we renewed old friendships, made new friends, and made no enemies. We certainly had a very jolly time. ^ The MEXICAN BOY The Preserver of the Union S)) Marcos Arreola [HRU the years, many nations have succeeded in leading the world. Rome, Spain, France, and various other nations have led the world in their respective periods. They have wit- nessed their time come and have seen it go. What is it that really characterizes a nation? Is it not unity? the united efforts of the people into a purpose that makes it successful? Many nations have failed to remain leading powers of the world because unity was not present in their purpose. One hundred and fifty one years ago, this nation gained its independence thru the united efforts and actions of the thirteen Colonies. A government was formed which drew up the Articles of Confederation and established a per- petual Union. This Union was not made in a day, in a month, or in a year, but years of obstruction, years of hardships, and years of toil were taken to mold this country into a successful and prosperous Nation. Nevertheless, with the opposition to the Emancipation Proclamation, it looked as though the Union would be dis- solved. The South considered slavery a necessary institution and was not ready, to heed the appeals of the North. As Lincoln himself said, ''My paramount object is to save the Union and not to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it — If I could ^ The MEXICAN BOY ^^ r^ save it by freeing all, I would do it — If I could do it by free- ing some and leaving others alone, I would do that. What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because it helps to save the Union.'* As soon as Lincoln took up his duties as President, it was plain that the dissatisfied States must be allowed to leave the Union or that the Union must be maintained by war. Both North and South prayed to the Almighty against war, and yet, we find that the discontented states would make war rather than let this union exist, while the other states would take war more willingly than let it be destroyed. Consequently, the great Civil War came. In four years of desolating war in which the North suffered discouragements and defeats, Lincoln, the Liberator, waited patiently for the hour in which the tide of battle was to change. Day in and day out he kept faithful watch, a heroic figure in the midst of severe afflictions. Finally, the great war came to an end, the Union was saved, the negro was freed from those who had held him in disgrace, and now. Liberty predominated the country. Many were the deeds that were done in the war, but the greatest was the keeping of the North united, in an enter- prize so arduous and in an enterprize so confusedly related as the Union and freedom. Abraham Lincoln did this. No one else could have done it. To do it he bore on his shoulders such weight of care and pain as few other men have ever borne. Therfore, let us respect, let us admire, and let us Honor the memory of Abraham Lincoln, The Preserver of the Union. ^< 7 >^'- G^ourteenth Annual ^ ^At the SPANISH AMERICAN INSTH -^ Morning Vrogram 1 0:00 o'clock Company Drill 5. i4. /. Cadets Jill buildings and Defartments of en to Visitors 10:30 o'clock Assembly in the Gymnasium Morning Chapel Service Special Music . . . . S, A, L Orchestra Scripture Reading Prayer Announcements Selection S. A, I. Quartette Address .... Bishof Charles Wesley Burns Selection S, A. I, Quartette 12:30 o'clock Box Lunch and Hot Coffee Served to all visiting friends i icoln (SDay (O^elebration UTE *» S^iuT^day^ (J^ebruary 12^ 1927* '"^^ (^Afternoon Trogram 1 145 o'clock Junior Oratorical Contest ( Original Essays ) From Log Cabin to the White House . Luis Nevarez Lincoln the Emancipator . . Aaron Gonzalez Lincoln and Slavery . . . Manuel Jaramillo Boyhood of Lincoln .... Heron Romero Selection S, A, I. Orchestra Senior Oratorical Contest {^Original Orations) To the Memory of Lincoln . . , Albert Corral The Preserver of the Union . . Marcos Arreola The Moral Courage of Lincoln . Victor Almaraz The Greatest American . . . Arthur Cota The Spirit of Lincoln . . . Ruben Toscano An Interview with President Calles . Angelo Cota Presentation of Medals . . . Dr, A, Ray Moore Benediction '^v^*^ ^ The MEXICAN BOY The Spirit of Lincoln 'B'^ Ruben Toscano |LL of us have a desire to be great, but, un- fortunately, only a very few of us are endowed with the qualities that makes one great. Therefore, if we are determined to succeed in life, we must select an example and try to be as much like that example as we can. Lincoln undoubt- edly selected Christ as his example. Christ came to lead a world along the path of righteous- ness. He can be pictured as a Being of divine beauty, brilliant, and pure; a possessor of qualities that presage success. He was a simple man, but a masterful one who maintained His integrity and purpose when deserted by friends and crucified by enemies. In America there was born a man who was destined to be the deliverer of a race and the preserver of the Union of the United States of America. Abraham Lincoln was the man. He can be pictured as strong and rugged, and though he was not brilliant, he was aggresive. He was also pure and masterful. He was master of himself. His belief in Christ was not merely theoretical, but practical. "He believed in God as the supreme ruler of the universe, the guide of men and the controller of the great events and destinies of mankind.'* Lincoln regarded himself as an instrument, as Moses was an instrument in the hands of the Almighty, to lead men into freedom. Moses heard the voice of God issue from the burning bush, Lincoln received his message from the ^ The MEXICAN BOY *«^ J^ Infinite when he beheld a human being sold on the auction block. All through the life of Lincoln we see that there is the Spirit of God in his every move - and did he not act as a disciple of God would have acted when the crisis came? Lincoln knew that there was a God, and that God hated the injustice of slavery. He knew that he was right, because liberty is right. The voice of Lincoln had always been for peace. He had a conscience, and he was unwilling to carry the fresh stain of a great crime before the tri- bunal of his God. Lincoln was a believer in God, and he remembered that when everything known to man fails, the power of the Infinite still prevails. He did not let his faith stand alone in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God. That Higher Being, however, had other plans, for the storm finally burst into a civil war. During the terrible war that followed, Lincoln was calm and serene, for he had asked God to help him, and he knew that God would help him. When Lincoln was urged to issue his Proclamation of Emancipation, he waited on God for guidance. It was this guidance that prompted him to issue that Immortal Document. When the end of his career came, Lincoln had accomplished the greater part of his task. He had preserved the Union. He had freed the slaves, and he had taught the world a lesson in honesty, in truth, in kindness, and in fairness. He paid no heed to those that hated him. Years which passed achieved deeds for humanity, behind these deeds was a man. Lincoln has had no equal, he was an ideal in every respect. He followed in the footsteps of the Master. The MEXICAN BOY ^ The Moral Courage of Lincoln ^y Victor Almaraz |HROUGHOUT the ages, men have won the brilliant title of greatness through the lives they have lived and the deeds they have per- formed. Some have saved crumbling causes from falling into the bottomless abyss of ruin. Others have dethroned and enthroned kings, and many have given their lives in order that their fellowmen might live. What has been the underlying influence which has urged them onward ? The physical courage of the man has enabled him to stand against the disturbing elements of opposition. Let us now glance upon him who at the risk of fortune, friends, and station, stands up in support of what he knows is right. What is the recompense which he receives? He immediately reaps a harvest of distrust, criti- cism, and disdain. However such are his principles that all the contempt in which he is held will pass over his head un- noticed. His moral courage has served him in good stead. Abraham Lincoln was endowed with this greatest of vir- tues. Since his early youth he had regarded wrong and untruth as a man regards a venomous viper. Trials and tribulations were constantly descending upon him, for he would not hold back from laying bare the faults of those around him. Down through all time, the progress of right has been intercepted. In spite of this, it has gone on, until all the civilized nations of the world recognize and try to harbor it. The path in which Lincoln trod was a righteous one and, The MEXICAN BOY as we glance over his history, we find that it was not with- out its obstacles. In those bitter days, many of his friends left him and new enemies were formed. Yet did he leave the righteous course to follow that against which his duty and his conscience bade him fling the bitterest of words .^ His road was never so straight nor his friendship so kind, as when these great temptations came to divert his mind from the righteous principles inscribed in his heart. In political life, Lincoln was oneof thestaunchest advocates of those for whom he was destined to shatter the chains of servitude. The influence of God was great upon this man, and he accepted the Presidency of the United States, the better to gain his ambitions. An existence now began simi- liar to the one in which he had been before. Banter, mock- ery, raillery, derision, satire, and irony poured in on him in ever increasing number. Did this most cruel of hardships bend his head and make him change his policy? His heart was continually rent and bleeding, yet he pressed on re- gardless of consequences, seeing only the goal which God had placed before him. Lincoln's faith in the help of God is revealed in these few words of his, "No one is more deeply than myself aware that without His favor our highest wisdom is but as foolish- ness and that our most strenuous efforts would avail nothing in the shadow of His displeasure." Abraham Lincoln has come forth more triumphant than a conqueror, for he has vanquished the hatreds of his people, and he has instilled in our our hearts the deepest of respect and admiration. ^ The MEXICAN BOY The Greatest American S}; Arthur Cota ^^^ETme open for you a Book. It is called the Book g^^M of Knowledge, a Book of Dreams. Its leaves »^( are well creased as civilization turns the pages ^^K of this most admired Book. In the midst of ^^y these well folded leaves we find the name of Abraham Lincoln, a defender of rights and a heroic figure of mankind. Let us prepare ourselves to consider the career of this admirable man, a true lover of freedom, and a hero of an unfortunate race. We are now to glance upon the life of one who was the humblest and sincerest of men. Lincoln is a hero of yesterday. Today we admire him for his achieve- ments. The heroes of yesterday are not forgotten. Through all their hardships and difficulties they have earned distinction. Civilization is now living on a foundation which they fought to establish. They form part of the deathless past, * 'which is our heritage" if we sympathize with its aims and if we desire its message of love. No true American can live in this perpetual union of ours without the realization of the one who made it whole. We desire to love Lincoln more and more because of his remarkable achievements. He is an ideal of all mankind; a great American. Our tribute to Lincoln for his kindness to animals will never cease. He was the gentlest and most peace-loving of mortals; unable to see any creature suffer without a throb in his own breast. His deeds of kindness and tender- ness to animals are written on the pages of history as one ^ The MEXICAN BOY ^ of the things which made Lincoln our great American. Lincoln received divine inspiration. Indeed, he was closely devoted to God. By his close devotion to Him he was able to master the difficult problems of his day. This period of Lincoln's life was an important period. The people loved him because he was a man of prayer. Lin- coln's religious character was the one thing which, more than others ,lifted him above his fellowmen. He was not an unbeliever. Lincoln was a believer in the Church. He was great because he was godly. Mankind never mourned the death of a President as they did Abraham Lincoln. The common people were satis- fied with him, they always felt near him, they loved him, and they confided in him. He understood them, with all their loves and hates, their weakness and their strength, and he understood himself; his sympathetic nature drew their sympathy to him. Unlike other great men during his time Lincoln was simple in speech but great in character. His lively and precise manner of doing things amazed all his friends. What a noble citizen he was! In time of sorrow and trying moments he was the source of light. Lincoln certainly was a remark- able man, a most inspiring, and a most extraordinary one. As the years fade, the world will read with increasing won- der of the man who was of the humblest origin, but who remained the simplest and most unpretentious. As one of the greatest x^mericans and the best of men, mankind will never cease to admire and praise our peace-loving mortal, Abraham Lincoln. «>' T - ^. •^^^ ^ The MEXICAN BOY News Items ^EAR by year the printshop is making pro- gress. The outstanding achievements of the past year are the installation of a monotype machine, the enlargement of the shop, and a different method of teaching. Before the shop was enlarged, the boys would always be stumbling over stacks of papers, type, or whatnots. Now they have plenty of room. The new method of teaching will make the boys more efficient, for a boy will special- ize in that work for which he is best suited. Although no classes have been given in radio this year, Mr. Melvin Wood has made many experiments. At times he has taken the quartette to sing at the Los Angeles Radio Club in Los Angeles. For lack of an instructor the first part of this year there has not been much activity in the manual training shop. But it will now make up for lost time for we have engaged a compe- tent instructor in the person of Mr. Herbert Lund. Usually the farm has planned more than they have been able to do, but this year the work has been planned bn a smaller and better scale. Each speaker of the Senior oratorical contest this year, has set up his own composition on the new monotype. To most of the speakers this was their first work on the monotype. "NIWRsiTYOflLL/NOIS- UR8ANA 3 0112 002242995