Life, 1918-12-12 · page 12 of 34
Life — December 12, 1918 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon: "The Conscientious Objector"** Shows a man operating a plow pulled by a horse, with another figure working in the background. This illustrates the concept of conscientious objection—refusing military service on moral grounds. During WWI, conscientious objectors were sometimes assigned agricultural labor instead of combat. The cartoon's title suggests commentary on this alternative service. **"The Winner" Poem** By Dorothy Harpur O'Neill, celebrates someone who persevered despite obstacles and naysayers. The narrative voice contrasts self-doubt with ultimate success, suggesting triumph through determination. **"Suggestions for New Operations"** A satirical list proposing removal of various German figures and institutions post-WWI, and the section "The Eternal Feminine" makes a quip about government efforts to make "life-preservers" more appealing to women.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR The Winner OMEBODY said that it couldn't be done, But he with a chuckle denied it— That maybe it couldn't, but he would be one Who wouldn't say no till he'd tried it! So he buckled right in with a trace of a grin On his face—if he worried, he hid it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done, and he did it! Somebody scoffed, “Oh, you'll never do that, Or, at least, no one ever has done it But he only laughed while his enemies chaffed, And the first thing they knew he'd begun it! He went right ahead with an optimist’s smile, With never a thought that he'd it; For he made up his mind that the man worth while Would always make good, and he'd do it. Thousands will tell you it cannot be done; Thousands of friends, too, will fail you; Thousands will point to you, one by one, The dangers that wait to assail you But “hustle like sin,” and you're sure to win; So take off your coat and “go to it!” Despair will take wing as you tackle the thing That couldn't be done, and you'll do it! Dorothy Harpur O'Neill HO remembers the old-fashioned President deterred by precedent? Suggestions for New Operations PON the Germans, for the removal of cruelty ai sense of dishonor. Upon a well known actress, for temperament Upon Claude Kitchin, for sectionalism Upon the press, for truckling to financial interests Upon the Bureau for Public Misinformation, for wast of good material. From whom everything should be removed: The Bolshe- viki, Turkey and Hearst. The Eternal Feminine = HAT horrid life-preservers!" mas if the government might have made an effort to make them more becoming.” GETTING EVEN comicbooks.com