The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-05-19
STANDING BY THAT TENT

Earler IN tnlS mcnth mere TOOK place IN SllaS-
gov, Scotland the formal installation of two no
table men in world history, Field Marshal Haig Of
the British army and Sir James M. Barrie, noted
author, the former as chancellor and the latter as
rector of St. Andrews University. Florida Rotar-
ians who visited Glasgow last summer at the world
gathering Of Rotarians, will remember this great
educational institution. In delivering his inaugural
address, Sir James Barrie chose as his theme the
incubation of courage in youth. A profound i'm
preston was created as he drew forth and read
letter written 10 him by Captain Robert F. Scott,
commander of the British Antarctic expedition of
1910, which letter was found in the explorers
tent in that lonely area of the world over which
the foot of man had hitherto never trod The
tragedy of that day and hour is still fresh in many
minds though it may not have come to the atten-
ton of the younger boys of twelve years ago who
now can appreciate and understand the lesson of
courage and heroism it taught. Weeks later
rescue party reached the death tent where they
found Scott and his companions sitting around the
ashes of charcoal FIRE, frozen stiff in that terrible
temperature of forty to fifty degrees below zero.
We are pegging out, very comfortless spot,
and sent 10 you, | write you word of farewell.
| want you to think well of me and my end.
Then, after private personal Instructions which
Sir James described as too intimate to read, SCOTS
letter continued:
Goodbye. I'm not at all afraid of the end.
but it is sad to miss many simple pleasure which
| had planned for the future in cur long marches.
We are in desperate state, feet frozen, ETC., no
fuel, and long way from food. But it would
do your heart good to be in our tent to hear our
songs and cur CHEEKY conversation"
Here. Sir James said, the writing which was in
pencil and hitherto quite clear was becoming diff
hcult to decpher. AS made out it said:
I'VE are very near the end s. = : We did
intend to finish ourselves when things proved like
this, but we have decided to die naturally with
out"
Sir James comment on the letter was: Il think
it may uplft you all to stand for moment by that
tent and listen to their songs and cherry conveIsa
tion."
Surely if anything can upLft and inspire, it
is an example such as this. 1t took red-blooded
men to act and think as did those brave fellows
who calmly awaited that passing from this life to
the future great adventure" And may il not
be that the lesson of courage is not for youth alone
Not one of us but needs the stimulating and ener.
giving which can alone come from those higher
impulses characteristic of the that has endured
and lriumphed over supreme difficulties throug bout
all history. Courage is quality all may possess,
boy CT man, girl Oh woman, if the thought or spirit
Ct it be inculcaed in early life. OF course it is
possible to carry this to an extreme as do certain
castles in Japan where the boys are taught to look
upon life as of but passing Importance and the
shedding of human blood matter of no conse-
quence. But in the case of Robert Scott and his
party it was matter Of sublime courage, this 60
ing out far beyond the confines of civilization into
the vast Antarctic wastes in the interest of science
that we might know the hidden mysteries of earth's
footsool. To be prepared to meet great issues
with calm forttude is one Ct the greatest qualities
a man or a woman can desire Those men passed
out, not surrounded by loving hearts whose tender
ministrations made the going all the easier no.
they were alone with their Ccd amidst region of
chilly desolaton, in the realm CT eternal ice. They
faced death calmly and sanely; they played the
game as it should be played; they shrked not nor
did they murmur; they did that task allotted to
them just SO far as strength would permit and when
the end was seen to be inevitable it was accepted
with that spirit Of resignation that raises men away
above the ordinary into that higher sphere OF real
heroes.
1t is not given to all to do as Scott did There
equal opportunities right here at home in Lake
land, in any town Or city in Florida or in this or
any other country. 1t takes courage to face the
responsibilities of the days as they come and go
courage to say the right thing to do the right thing
to play the game on the square. to resist tempta-
ton, to be unselGsh, 10 carry out to the letter the
Col1or Ill