Life, 1914-05-14 · page 17 of 44
Life — May 14, 1914 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**The Poem "Mexico"** (left side): This allegorical poem uses Aztec mythology to comment on Mexico's history. The "Eagle" represents the United States, the "Serpent" symbolizes violence and strife plaguing Mexico. The poem traces Mexico from Aztec foundations through Spanish conquest to the present, suggesting six centuries of bloodshed. It concludes optimistically that the American Eagle will intervene to bring "Freedom, Peace and Law" to Mexico—reflecting American imperialist rhetoric of the early 20th century, likely referencing U.S. military interventions in Mexico. **The Illustration**: A caricatured figure (unclear who specifically) appears to be a labor-saving device, possibly satirizing industrial efficiency or mechanization. **"Not Many Total Abstainers Yet"** (right): References John D. Rockefeller's claims that corporations now prohibit drinking employees. The article counters this, noting successful businessmen actually drink moderately at dinner—satirizing the gap between prohibition rhetoric and actual practice during the temperance movement era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“DEE Mexico ‘AR had the Aztec chieftain sought A home for his wandering flock When they came to the place where the Eagle fought The Serpent of the Rock. And loud they hailed the sacred sign Foretold them long ago; And there they reared the War-god's shrine And the walls of Mexico. Rich grew the realm and strong and great, Broad were its lands and fair, But still, that Fiend of Strife and Hate, The Serpent brooded there. Proud chieftains ruled with spear and bow, Their captives thronged the marts, They fed the War-god’s altar-glow With panting human hearts. The Spaniard came, and slew, and reigned, The Spaniard passed away; And still the fields were purple-stained— And still the word is “ Slay!” Six hundred years of blood and tears, Of ruthless, selfish will, But, mortal blight, in venomed spite The Serpent broods there still. And must what has been ever be? Shall rapine never cease? Shall trodden millions never see The holy dawn of peace? Must Law be still the strongest hand— The hand that slays and spoils? Oh, still through all the ravaged land The Serpent drags his coils While calm and stately overhead The free-born Eagle swings; Shall mawkish doubt and puny dread Forever check his wings? See! from the North the Eagle swoops! He does not come to prey; He is no carrion-kite that stoops To batten on decay, But the broad-winged Bird that the Aztec saw At grips with the Serpent foe, He comes that Freedom, Peace and Law Shall reign in Mexico. A dying land shall thrill to life, And the clamor of War be stilled, For the Eagle shall throttle the Serpent of Strife And the Promise shall be fulfilled! Arthur Guiterman. ‘A LABOR-SAVING DEVICE Not Many Total Abstainers Yet PEAKING of a time when alcohol was more used than now in business, young John Rockefeller said the other day to his Bible class: Now all that is changed. Great corporations will not employ men who drink, and their emphasis is on total abstinence. Of course, the change is for the better, but it seldom extends to total abstinence. People who have work to do eat and drink what contributes most to mental clarity and energy. Most of them are sparing of food and abstinent during working hours. And even after working hours intelligent men are apt to be very restricted in their potations, Nevertheless, among the able men hereabouts, leaders in the professions, managers of corporations, em- ployers of men, there seem to be very few total abstainers. Most of them drink a little every night at dinner. As a rule. the more successful men are thoroughly schooled in all the kinds of self-control, and can, and do, drink just a little as is good for them, and seldom any more. comicbooks.com