The following is one verse from Theodore MacManus's poem "America" printed in his book Men, Money and Motors - The Drama of the Automobile (MacManus & Beasley, p. 193). While MacManus was attempting to secure the Cadillac account, Henry Leland, the owner, began to recount this verse, which happened to be his favorite poem by the author Frank MacManus.
"O can't you see her standing at the portals of the world,
With her eager eyes exulting in the flag she's just unfurled,
The favorite of Fortune, and the mistress of the Fates,
The heir of all the ages, flinging back the futile gates,
That frown upon her progress, and dispute the mighty power
Of a goddess come to realize the glory of her dower.!"
Theodore MacManus
Inevitably, MacManus informed Henry Leland of his mistake and the Cadillac account was his.
Robyn Brooks Tangum/Department of Advertising/College of Communications/University of Texas at Austin
Last Updated November 11, 1996
If you have comments or suggestions, email r.tangum@mail.utexas.edu