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32 «ЖІНОЧИЙ СВІТ» IVAN FRANKO LELOLELDG GLP LOGG GPS POGOGPOOGEED POOP BOGS S ONLY cighteen years separate us from the time of the death of Ivan Franko, known as “Moses of Galicia.” It is not so long ago, but to us, Ukrainians, it seems inter- minable. It seems interminable, for now, more than ever, we realize the absence of him who by his indo- minable courage and __ persistent activity inspired countless timid and cowardly souls. We realize the absence of a leader who could lead us out of the present maze to a better future. Like Shevchenko, Ivan Franko dedicated his life to his people and never swerved from the path of toil he had chosen. For it is all he asked of Life, “to toil, and perish in the midst of toil.” His request was granted, for the products of his toil are numerous and valua- ble. His literary activities were not limited to one field. He was a poet, a novelist, a dramatist, a scholar, a critic, a journalist and an author of children’s stories. His prolific pen created gems of literature that we can proudly display to the entire world. His words of wi: stimulated this generation and will ever continue to be a source of learning and inspiration for many generations to come. dom have But as varied as were his literary activit: Franko always found time to take a hand in matters concerning his community and the nation as a whole. He was always successful, for he established high aims and earnestly strove to at- tain them. A sense of duty and con- tinuous exertion were the factors necessary for expedient community work according to his opinion. “We, as a nation, will not attain anything without effort. We should not expect favors from anyiond That which we attain with our own effort shall be ours only.” And dur- ing his entire life Franko held to this rule steadfastly. Sense of individual responsibility was another factor stressed by this great man. As he so courage- ously expressed it: “Each and every one of you must think that the fate of millions rests upon your shoulders and for the fate of millions you are responsible.” If the Ukrainian people had taken this advice of the poet to their hearts they would not be living in foreign subjugation to-day. Ivan Franko never considered himself a great man, though his deeds proved otherwise. He be- lieved he was just an ordinary in- dual, а component part of a nation, and as such he offered his services to his country. And this was no mere gesture or idle boast on his part for he amply proved his sincerity. He did not rich strive to attain honors s or glory, The fate of the Ukrainian people was his only consideration. He was pre- pared to submerge and drown his own identity in the cause of the people. On one ocasion he expres- sed himself unequivocally: “May my name fade av у, but may the ainian people grow and pro- gress!” The people meant more to him than family, friends, honor, glory or riches. He loved them not only for their good characteristics and their cheerful dispositions, but for their short- comings as well, though over the latter he shed many tears. Yet he greatly despaired over that bad trait of inferiority which our people possessed and which bade them bow their heads in submis- sion and cater to the whims of those who held them in bondage and tyranny. Despita this, however, his great faith in the Ukrainian people was never broken. He believed that in time they would acquire strength and courage and expend the un- ceasing effort necessary to gain what was rightly theirs, And to that end he devoted his health and energy. He wrote and spoke sin- cerely and courageously, advising and encouraging those who needed it, and admonishing and criticizing those who deserved it. A few hypocrites and “Judases, aroused and offended by his justi- ed reproofs, sought to destroy im by branding him a dangerous radical and undesirable in- Yet he did not deviate from his path of self-imposed duty. For that reason the Ukrainians honor his memory and respect his spirit which still remains one of our guiding stars to this day. an surgent, The great tribute which we owe him can best be paid by our en- deavor to know the man, to read and understand his literary works, to follow his words of wisdom and to adhere to his sacred principles. This can be our only appreciation of the heritage he willed to us.
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