Life, 1917-03-01 · page 28 of 42
Life — March 1, 1917 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"A Song to Youngsters"** praises young Americans (ages 0-21) for their maturity and patriotism, particularly regarding WWI. The author defends them against older generations' criticism as "irresponsible" and "flighty," citing examples like a fifteen-year-old French hero and American boys enlisting voluntarily. The piece argues youth represent "America of to-morrow" and cannot be corrupted by political failures. **"The Difference"** is a brief joke contrasting the Kaiser (German emperor Wilhelm II) with Unitarians. The punchline sardonically suggests the Kaiser inverts Christian values—believing in "brotherhood of God and fatherhood of man" rather than the Christian principle of God's fatherhood and human brotherhood. This mocks the Kaiser's authoritarian militarism as fundamentally unchristian. **The illustration** shows a well-dressed gentleman admiring young people at what appears to be a social gathering, supporting the text's theme of youth vitality. The page reflects early WWI-era American sentiment celebrating youth patriotism while criticizing German leadership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
360 A Song to Youngsters HIS is a song to youngsters! To Young men and women between the a Say of zero and twenty-one. Let us be fair with them; let us admit That they know something. I myself have mingled with them And talked to them and listened to them Until I got their point of view; and I want To tell you that They know a great deal more than you Think they do. They Will be here after you and I have gone And they know it! About the only consolation we get Out of this interesting fact is To make believe that we are Highly superior to all of them. Ob, yes, We do—we shake our heads sagely and say They are irresponsible, and the girls are Flighty and silly and the boys Unsteady and fly-by-nights, Well! Anyone would think to hear such Talk That they were like some old fool of cighty Who marries a young thing of seventeen just because She has no notion of order or system, Something he has never been able to get oe Without, but is only Amusing. Strange, isn’t it? These youngsters Do things. One of the biggest heroes in France to- day is A lad of fifteen. And How many of our boys have actually Run away from home just To get over there and be kijled if Necessary, Or possibly unnecessary? Also, look at Our boys in schools and colleges who Have enlisted or are getting ready. You Simply can’t hold them down, Politicians. Graft, inefficiency, stupidity, mismanage- ment—everything You can think of And more, cannot spoil the youngsters of ‘To-day. They are the America of to-morrow! The Difference OST: What's the difference between the Kaiser and a Unitarian? Parker: Give it up, old man. Post: The Unitarian believes in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. The Kaiser believes in the brotherhood of God and the fatherhood of man. “HOW YOUNG AND HANDSOME YOU'VE GROWN!" “DO YOU REALLY THINK So?” “WHY, I SHOULD SAY YOU WERE THIRTY OR FORTY YEARS YOUNGER” comicbooks.com