The story of the Sun, New York: 1833-1928 / by Frank M. O'Brien ; with an introduction by Edward Page Mitchell ...

THE EDITORIAL PAGE

239

beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this
world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he
lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia,
nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will
continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
"Lindbergh Flies Alone" was written by Mr. Anderson a few hours after the post office pilot had taken off
for Paris. It was printed in the Sun on May 21, 1927,
while Lindbergh was still in flight. Its poetic quality,
simplicity, and beauty of expression touched the chords
of public sympathy more quickly and widely than any
other editorial expression I have ever heard of. The
Snn received thousands of requests for copies of it. The
authorship was revealed, in spite of Mr. Anderson's demurrer, on June 16, 1927, when Colonel Lindbergh was
the guest of the Sun Club and, after receiving from Mr.
I)ewart a copy of the editorial article in silver, presented
to hMr. Anderson an illuminated copy signed by himself.
The article follows:
"LINI)DBRCI F ILIES ALONE"
Alone?
Is he alone at whose right side rides Courage,
with Skill within the cockpit and Faith upon the
left? Does solitude surround the brave when Adventure leads the way and Ambition reads the dials?
Is there no company with him for whom the air is
cleft by Daring and the darkness is made light by
Emprise?
True, the fragile bodies of his fellows do'not weigh:down his plane; true, the fretful minds of weaker
men are lacking from his crowded cabin; but as his
airship keeps her course he holds communion with