Banner with poem dedicated to James G. Endicott 献给文幼章的横幅与诗歌
Following his return to China in 1944, James G. Endicott was approached by members of the New Democratic Youth League, an underground student organization led by the Communist Party known to him as “The Sparks.” The students asked to use his residence as a safe house to meet, study banned Marxist literature, and organize demonstrations against police violence in the city, to which Jim agreed. The students’ efforts led to the dismissal of Chengdu’s mayor and the chief of police, but even more severe repression soon followed. During the crackdown, many members of “The Sparks” were uncovered and reportedly executed. Those who survived and remained on campus when Jim resigned from his post at the university presented him with this silk banner inscribed with a poem. The poem highlights the students’ idealism and their determination to prevail against overwhelming odds.
1944年返回中国后，文幼章与一群新民主青年团成员建立了联系。这些青年隶属于由共产党领导的地下学生组织“火花”，他们请求文幼章将其住所作为安全屋，用于召开秘密会议、研读被禁的马克思主义文献，以及组织反对警察暴力的示威活动。文幼章慷慨地同意了他们的请求。学生们的努力取得了一定的成果，最终导致成都市市长和警察局长被免职。然而，这些胜利之后是更严厉的镇压。在这次打击中，许多“火花”成员的身份被暴露，据报道，他们被处决。那些在镇压中幸存下来并在文幼章辞去大学职务后仍留在校园的学生们，特地赠予他一面绸布横幅，作为纪念。横幅上写有一首诗，字里行间包含着学生们的理想主义以及他们在逆境中坚持斗争的决心。
我们是颗颗明星，在天空放光明。
黑夜虽然漫长，黎明必然会来临。
我们是粒粒火星，在原野放光明。
大风虽在呯啸，燎原之火要燃烧。
天边外传来风暴，原野上响遍哀号。
谁能再守静默，不为大众斗争？
我们踏上人生战场。
斗争伙伴挽紧臂膀。
星星光芒并不小，要将黑暗来压到。
Bright stars are we, glittering in the sky.
Even though the night is long, dawn must come.
Sparks of fire are we, glittering on the open plain.
Though the winds howl wild and loud, a prairie fire will soon ignite.
Beyond the horizon storms roar, the fields resound with cries that soar.
Who can continue to remain silent and not strive for the people.
We step onto life’s battlefield.
Comrades linked by shoulders steeled.
The starlight’s rays are not at all small; they will prevail over the darkness.