You as seniors are entering a world that is a very unstable condition. The recent conflict embracing all races, colors, and creeds has created world-wide problems that you, as citizens of a working democracy, will have to face. On this occasion, I shall endeavor to project your thoughts into the future to show that we must meet the challenge facing our democratic society. The peoples of Europe and Asia are starving. If we allow some other society, for example Russia, to satisfy this want for hunger, it is apparent that Communism will soon be running rampant in Europe and Asia. Then too, we cannot expect people who lack the very necessities of life to accept our American ideals. However, it is entirely possible that if we provide these necesities, we could follow with an education that would include the American ideals of life. To build toward a world of peace, then, it is essential that the starving and needy people of the world be fed and clothed. It appears that we must also put our own house in order. The practice of democratic principles requires patience, tolerance, intelligence, and the will to work for the good of all. We have evidences each day that ignorance and distrust abound in our country. It is essential that we educate our people into intelligent and trusting citizens. Any self-govering people will make mistakes. That is to be expected. The issue is, are we as a nation at the point in our development where we can profit from such mistakes, or will we repeat these mistakes which have much costly results. Take an inventory of yourself to see if you profit by your mistakes. This attribute is essential if you are to lead a fruitful and profitable life. I have mentioned education two or three times in this message. I have tried to make that idea the underlying current of my thoughts. I sincerely hope that you have taken advantage of every educational opportunity afforded you at Little Rock High School. You will learn as you progress that your education will help you no end. Seek as much education as you possibly can, for a people of ignorance cannot long survive. Whatever road of endeavor you may pursue, you will find that your school life that once you considered unimportant and unnecessary, will assume an advantageous role in your life! J. W. Matthews
The peoples of Europe and Asia are starving. If we allow some other society, for example Russia, to satisfy this want for hunger, it is apparent that Communism will soon be running rampant in Europe and Asia. Then too, we cannot expect people who lack the very necessities of life to accept our American ideals. However, it is entirely possible that if we provide these necesities, we could follow with an education that would include the American ideals of life. To build toward a world of peace, then, it is essential that the starving and needy people of the world be fed and clothed.
It appears that we must also put our own house in order. The practice of democratic principles requires patience, tolerance, intelligence, and the will to work for the good of all. We have evidences each day that ignorance and distrust abound in our country. It is essential that we educate our people into intelligent and trusting citizens. Any self-govering people will make mistakes. That is to be expected. The issue is, are we as a nation at the point in our development where we can profit from such mistakes, or will we repeat these mistakes which have much costly results. Take an inventory of yourself to see if you profit by your mistakes. This attribute is essential if you are to lead a fruitful and profitable life.
I have mentioned education two or three times in this message. I have tried to make that idea the underlying current of my thoughts. I sincerely hope that you have taken advantage of every educational opportunity afforded you at Little Rock High School. You will learn as you progress that your education will help you no end. Seek as much education as you possibly can, for a people of ignorance cannot long survive. Whatever road of endeavor you may pursue, you will find that your school life that once you considered unimportant and unnecessary, will assume an advantageous role in your life! J. W. Matthews