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Show AL PAGE OF T litor RALPH Tracy SAYS ". . Lindbergh appeals -to the American people more as a man than as a flier. ." By M. E. TRACY CONSIDERING all that has been said and written on the subject, it seems hopeless to suppose anything new can be offered with regard to Lindbergh, his feat or his reception. The public mood, however, leaves little room to discuss anything else. This young man has not only crowded all other news off the fh*st page, but off the next three or four as well. To let the headline writers tell it, the nation has "gone mad" over him. A saner view suggests that the American people realize perfectly what they are doing and glory in it. L indbergh is a new kind of hero, and it is quite proper that he should enjoy a new kind of triumph. It is consistent with American ideals, with the tendencies of modern education, and with the principles which science has unfolded that this country should pay tribute to a private citizen who triumphed in the interest of human progress. The homecoming of Lindbergh proves nothing more vividly than that "peace has her victories no less than war." It is high time the world, especially America, renewed its acquaintance with that thought. His great adventure was made possible by peace and culminated in a peaceful triumph, as is proved by the message he brings back from the people of Europe. T HERE is more back of Lindbergh's reception than the feat he performed. He did not captivate the civilized world by merely liymg from New York to Paris. Astonishing as this achievement may have been, it fails to account for the unprecedented honors that have been conferred upon him. N EITHER the Wrights, who first taught us how to fly, nor Alcock and Brown, who first crossed the ocean, nor the Army aviators who circled the world, nor Byrd who flew over the Pole, enjoyed a tenth part of the praise and distinction that have come to Lindbergh. Each an every one of them took his life in his hands, however, endured great hardships and established a new record. T INDBERGH appeals to the American people more as a man than as a flier. He is the kind of a son all mothers want, the kind of a hero all boys dream of becoming, the kind of a citizen all republics hope to rear. The way he flew proves his skill, but the way he conducts himself in the face of such adulation proves his character. America has the right to be proud of a flier who conquers the Atlantic alone, but she has a better right to be proud of a man who can keep his head under such pressure. W HILE we are honoring Lindbergh, let us not forget that emulation is the greatest compliment that can be paid. If we like his modesty, let us be modest and teach our children to be modest. If we like Ms independence, let us not only show a little of it ourselves, but more respect for independent men. LINDBERGH'S father was an in- dependent man, one of the clearheaded few who refused to be blind to profiteering in the name of patriotism, but unhappily his independence drew resentment rather than applause. Many of those who are yelling themselves hoarse in honor of the son could find nothing but coarse epithets for the sire, but the same virtue is to be noted in both. As part of the great celebration |
