Pickering College - Voyageur Yearbook (Newmarket, Ontario Canada)

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The Voyageur Greater than his physical courage, however, was his moral courage. Jesus said to His disciples: 44Woe unto you when all men speak well of you. It is only now that Roosevelt is dead that all men can see him in his true perspective. For while he was a much-loved man, he was also a much hated man. Consistently misrepresented and purposely misunderstood by many in his own country with great interests and great power, he took his opposition with a smile and never gave way, publicly, to bitterness or personal resentment. From wh-ere did such strength and courage come? This is a dillicult question to answer. Although he was a regular member of his own church, l am not certain that he was a ureligiousw man in any narrow or restricted sense of that term, but l am sure that he felt, that his own life, his purposes and his work, were all in tune with the inlinite-the great fundamental purpose of the universe. I know that he loved that hymn: Cod is working his purpose out, as year succeeds to year: Goa' is working his purpose out, and the time is drawing near- Nearer and nearer draws the time--the time that shall surely be, When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. Not only did he love that hymn but he did not hesitate to say so. l have met his old schoolmaster, Dr. Endicott Peabody. I like to think that F. D. R. owed something of his vision and his strength to his old teacher. To the Headmasters' Association, on one occasion, Dr. Peabody told of a conversation with him. Said Dr. Peabody: als it very hard work being president'?,' aYes,,, replied the President, 6'Very hard work but very great funlw We may safely leave the rest of the judgment to history. l am sure it will not dispute the well-earned place of Franklin Delano Roose- velt. A poem was written by Sir Cecil Spring Rice, who had been British Ambassador to the United States during the last war, and who had spent twenty-five years in the service of his country. This poem was written on January 12th, 1918. The author of these words died on the night of the 13th of January. The vow recorded in this phrase had been kept by him long before he put it into words. l am quite certain that these lines express equally well the attitude of Franklin Roosevelt to his country and also his vision for all mankind. lvow to thee, my country-all earthly things above- Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love, The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best, The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, The love that makes undaunted the jinal sacrifice. And th-ere's another country, live heard of long ago- Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know, We may not count her armies, we may not see her King, Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering, And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase, And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace. 20

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The Voyageur sity. He was early interested in politics and served as assistant secretary of the Navy during the last war. ln the full prime of his manhood he was stricken by paralysis while swimming at his summer home at Campo- bello. N. B. He could have retired from politics and lived a life of ease, but he struggled valiantly against his illness and carried with him the same courage into his political life. He was elected Governor of New York State and four times chosen as their President by the people of the United States. When he first took office, the United States, along with the other countries, was in the depths of the greatest economic depression the world has ever known. The financial system of his own country was in chaos. ln the international sphere Hitler had just taken office and was beginning that nefarious programme which Roosevelt, with a clarity denied to most men, early understood. Some disagreed with his policies both domestic and foreign, but he was never one to fear to adventure or to experiment. Said he in 1933: 6'We have nothing to fear but fear itself . And so the United States weathered that storm. ln the world of nations he recognized that the United States must emerge from its traditional shell of isolationism and accept responsibilities commensurate with its power. Said he: c'This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny. He knew from the beginning that it was America's struggle. ln Britain's darkest hour he extended help which was just a prelude to lend-lease and the uncounted and uncountable contribution that America has since made. ln sight of the promised land he died, permitted only to see at a distance, the achievement for which he had worked, but not himself to enjoy it. And now he, too, belongs to the ages! His greatness none can dispute. Though he walked with kings and princes and men in high places, he lost not the common touch. The humblest citizen, not only of his own country, but of all countries, feels his loss as the loss of a personal friend. His outstanding gift was a capacity for friendship that united him automatically with all men everywhere. ln his relationships with people he was natural, unaffected, though never shunning the white light that beats upon the throne, he was himself. It is not difficult to understand his friendship with the negro servant who ministered to his physical wants at Warm Springs. It is not difficult to understand his affection for a little black dog. As one of the students said last night, ul wonder how Falla feelsw. From quiet homes and first beginnings Out to undiscovered ends, Thereis nothing worth the wear of winning But laughter and the love of friends. Another great quality was his courage. lt enabled him to conquer his physical weakness. Only once, do l know, that he ever made public refer- ence to the heavy steel braces on his legs or drew attention to the fact that during the whole latter part of his career, it was impossible for him to stand upright without support. 19

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The Voyageur f Que ? George MCC onan C' HERE NOW my brothers? I ask you Wh-at course shall humanity take- The one she has just come over- Or a. new one that you shall make? Shall there be true peace-or false truce? Shall men love each other-or hate? Shall nations work gladly together. Or shall state ever strive against state? These are the foundations, my brothers, Un which shall you build your world. When the trumpets declare the triumph, And You The The You One the victory flags are unfurled? are the helmsmen, my brothers, wheel will respond to your hand, way lies wide open before you- have but to command' ...... course looks broad and well-travell,d Its heralds beckon you on, They call to you of old wonders And the glory of days bygone .... But look you again, my brothers, Past that first haze of light, The way is palled with the darkness Of a dull, relentless night. That course winds back, not forward, ,Twill lead to hatred and greed, To prejudice and privilege And dated, out-worn creed . . . The other way looks narrow. Treacherous, filled with gloom. Yet do not despair, my brothers, 'Tis not the pathway of doom, For see, there, beyond the blackness Of hardship and, travail, ls the triumph of Truth and Beauty Where Justice and Peace prevail .... The storm is subsiding, my brothers. The ship is now ready to sail, Prepare yourself well for the journey, But beware, lest again you fail . . . . The time is the present, my brothers, The future you cannot refuse, She asks you which way you will voyage- I charge you, my brothers, choose! 21 9