Notes on Lindbergh

NOTES ON LINDBERGH 821 has been given to high-class newspaper writing in the current press about this young man. \ give you one sample of prose poetry out of hundreds that might be reproduced from editorials in the daily press. This which I give you is from the New York Sun of May 21, and was later reproduced in that paper, June 13. It ought to live, and doubtless it will, as an immortal prose poem. It is written under the title, "LINDBERGH FLIES ALONE," which was a promi- nent headline in many papers giving an account of his adventurous flight:— "Lindbergh Flics Alone" Alone? Is he alone at whose right side rides Courage, with Skill within the cockpit and Faith upon the left? Does solitude surround the brave when Adventure leads the way and Ambition reads the dials? Is there no company with him for whom the air is cleft by Daring and the darkness is made light by Emprise? True, the fragile bodies of his fellows do not weight down his plane; true, the fretful minds of weaker men are lacking from his crowded cabin; but as his airship keeps her course he holds communion with those rarer spirits that inspire to intrepidity and by their sustaining potency give strength to arm, resource to mind, content to soul. Alone? With what other companions would that man fly to whom the choice were given? (Reprinted from The Sun of Saturday, May 21, 1927). I noted in President Coolidge's speech welcoming Lindbergh home, one of the best things that has been done with reference to this Lindbergh episode — the characterization in outline of Lindbergh as found in the files of the Militia Bureau of the War Department. It describes him, long before the world heard of him, as follows: " 'Intelligent,' 'industrious,' 'energetic,' 'dependable,' 'purpose- ful,' 'alert,' 'quick of reaction,' 'serious,' 'stable,' 'efficient,' 'frank,' 'modest,' 'congenial,' 'a man of good moral habits and regular in all his business transactions.' 'One of the officers expressed his belief that the young man would successfully complete everything he under- takes.' "

822 IMPROVEMENT ERA All this before he became so noted a flier and "a World Hero." It was because he was all this that he achieved that which now gives him place among the great; for Lindbergh henceforth will "belong to the ages," and a fine illustration of what comes from high character and noble, clean living. God bless him and his memory! There is no question that he will be a "fixed star" in the world's sphere of history. About the same time that this "Lindbergh Flies Alone," and this passage from the speech of President Coolidge appeared, there was running in the current press of New York the following poem, To Youth, that I want to throw into the background as a shadow that will make sharper the outline of Lindbergh's achievements, produced by the high character of his youthful behavior. This poem addressed "To Youth" may well be considered as proceeding from the "Dark Spirit" of Personified Evil. It is by John V. A. Weaver, in The Bookman, and he ought to have the full credit of producing such a thing: To Youth (John V. A. Weaver in The Bookman) "This I say to you. * * * * * * Be arrogant ! Be true ! True to April lust that sings Through your veins. These sharp springs Matter most * * * After years Will be time enough for sleep * * * Carefulness * * and tears! * * "Now, while life is raw and new, Drink it clear, drink it deep! Let the moonlight's lunacy Tear away your cautions. Be Proud, and mad, and young, and free! Grasp a comet! Kick at stars Laughingly! Fight! Dare! Arms are soft, breasts are white. Magic's in the April night — "Never fear, Age will catch you, Slow you down, e'er it dispatch you To your long and solemn quiet. * * * "What will matter then the riot Of the lilacs in the wind? What will mean — then — the crush Of lips at hours when birds hush? "Purple, green and flame will end In a calm, grey blend. "Only * * * graven in your soul After all the rest is gone There will be the ecstasies * * * Those alone * * * ."

NOTES ON LINDBERGH 823 Let us say to Youth that such advice as that produces no Lind- berghs. Lindberghs come from virtues such as those recorded of the World Hero in the files of the Militia Bureau of the War Department. Let me repeat them and let them stand as a rejection and condemnation of that poem of evil by Weaver. Of Lindbergh's youth, this is the record: " Intelligent,' 'industrious/ 'energetic,' 'de- pendable,' purposeful,' 'alert,' 'quick of reac- tion,' 'serious,' 'stable,' 'efficient.' 'frank,' 'mod- est,' 'congenial,' 'a man of good moral habits and regular in all his business transactions.' 'One of the officers expressed his belief that the young man would successfully complete every- thing he undertakes.' This contrast I commend to the Youth of my State and of my Church. P. S. — What this young man is, and what he has done, and will do, will doubtless have a wonderful influence upon the lives of many, and I hope especially upon the youth of our land. Let me illustrate how this influence will probably work. In the editorial of The New York World, the morning following Lindbergh's reception, the paper published a few things heard here and there at different promi- nent points of the parade. Things that were said by the crowd about "Lindy." This was heard on the corner of Fulton and William Streets: "Hey!" "Hey yourself!" "Feel like a little drink?" "Sure." "Come inside. Its poison, but it won't kill you." "Wait a minute, wait a minute." "What's the matter?" "Lindy don't touch it, you know." "Say, I forgot about that." "Guess we better not." "That's right. Guess we better not." Thus does the influence of a good example shine in a wicked world. New\ York.