Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-16

TO th7 Editor Of the Ercuirg Pubic Lcd0sr:
Sir-It has been my very good for
tune to read the text of the speech
which Sir James Barrie, at the age
OF sixty two years. made tN the STU
dents of st. Andrews University. in
Glasgow. Scotland. recently. Sir James
told his hearers 1t was his last speech.
and there is so much meat" in the
message that was cabled around the
world, so much straight. whimsical
philosophy, If that is the right word.
that am venturing I" offer 10 the read
ers of the Peoples Forum this extract
which may have escaped their atten-
tion in the telegraphed report Of the
speech. 1t is nothing less than a thor
Oughly BarrieiSh Indictment of youth.
OF the men of tomorrow 70 a peaceful
rebellion against their "betters." Hear
his advice to the students of St. An
drew's:
"Youth has long been left in the
hands Of its betters in national affairs.
You ought TO league youth as your
practical beginning Your betters
had no immediate share in the causes
Of the war, but for fifty years or SO
we needed not the distant rumblings.
and when war did come we told you
that. though you had no hand In getting
us into 1t, still you had to get US out
Of It.
IF you prefer to leave things as
they are we shall probably fail you
again. DO not be too sure that we
have learned our lesson. and that we
are not at this very moment dOdderlng
down some birthstone path"
Sir James goes on TO warn the young
men that age j. not necessarily an
other name for wisdom. but that the
future Is thcirS. And 10 meet that
future You will have to work harder
and possibly not So much at the same
things. You'll have to know more Of
modern languages If you are 10 discuss
the league Of youth with the students
of other nations" and "doubtless the
Almighty could have provided us with
better fun than hard work, but don't
know what that Is. To be born poor
is probably the next best thing"
At this point he interpolatcd stories
OF his own hard beginnings including
actual hunger. knowing no one. with.
out means-"So had the fun OF work
ing until the stars went out"
And always his theme was "cour.
age. Courage IS the thing. All
goes II courage goes.
And so in stirring youth IN 10 rehcl.
lion against their clders-those "bet
ters' who have 20 sadly mismanaged
this old world-he also pointed the wav
10 be worthy to rule In their stead. He
urged them not to be too hard on their
betters. 1--WE are nice. kindly people
but 1t is already evident that we are
struggling back into the old grooves
We are too old for any others, that
is the fundamental difference between
you and us But he warns that "Wc
have no intention Of giving you your
share. See how much of a share youth
has now that the war Is over. You
got handsome share while 1t lasted. "
Stupidity and jealousy more than
love of money, are, said Sir James, the
root of all evil and so go through life
without ever ascribng TO your oppo- =
nents motives meaner than your own.
Nothing so lowers morale as jealousy.
Give II up. BE great"
That speech should be tremendous
inspiration to youth. 1t has the same
application in America, right here In
Philadelphia, as it had In st. An
drew's University. Glasgow, Scotland,
and 1t might serve as a stimulus to the
young men of "Od Penn" who receive
their sheepskins this week.
PHlLADELPHIAN.
philadelphia, June 10, 1922.
SEES Injustice In Military Rules
so the Editor 81 the Evening Public Ledger:
Your publication Of the letter