Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-11-19
NOT DEBATABLE.
The Argument Brought Forward by
the hoy Was Unanswerabls.


The Argument Brought Forward by
the hoy Was InanswerablS.
The principal of one OF the public
schools Of Chicago has long been IA
vorite with his pupils because of the
whole hearted manner i'm which he en-
tiers into their school life. Debates,
Junior city councils, clubs of many
kinds bring them into intimate rela-
lions with him and add interest to
their studies. During the early days
Of the war between Russia and Japan
II was suggested that each power
might arm privateers and send them
out to destroy the others commerce.
The principal. while discussing news
of the day with his eighth grade boys.
brought up the question of privateering.
shouldn't we stop it," demanded an
urchin I'm front seat.
"Why?" asked the principal
because it would not be right"
"Why would it not?"
"Debate. Debate-' came a cry from
many quarters. The principal smiled
and acquiesced and was at once chosen
first speaker for the affirmative. The
boy who raised the question was Sc
lected to defend the negative.
The principal is large and pompous
man, but has a great and saving grace
Of good humor. Standing there before
the roomful of children. he leaned for
ward, placed his hands on the top Of
desk and began impressively to deliver
his argument.
He based 1t chiefly on history. He
told much of the history Of war and Of
privateering. brought the boys down
to the Revolution and the war Of 1912.
went into the story Of the Alabama
and the Florida and assured his pupils
that when two nations were at war
each of them was justified In taking
whatever means 1t could to injure the
other. The boys were manifestly i'm
pressed. Their martial spirit was
reused. They applauded enthusiast
tically.
Then the boy rose to reply. He was
not bright lad in his studies. but. as
the issue proved. he had convictions
for which he was not afraid to argue.
Unconsciously initiating the principal,
he leaned forward upon his desk and
began impressively.
Children" he said. 'how many of
you go to church and Sunday school?"
There was an immediate and general
uplifting of hands.
How many of you have been taught
the Ten commandments
Every hand remained raised.
How many of you remember that
Thou shalt not steal""
Every one remembered II.
How many of you remember that
another commandment is. Thou shalt
not killT"
That. too. was generally known.
children" said the youngster, as II
he had been an old man addressing
them, 1.-The business Of a privateer is
killing and stealing. He goes out to
kill the sailors OF the other side and
to steal what they have got. The BIZ
BILE does not say, Thou shalt not kill
except i'm time of war; 1t does not
say. Thou shalt not steal unless you
are a privateer.' 1t says simply you
shall not kill or steal any time. There
Is no question Of right or wrong to be
argued here. You all know that. 1t
does not matter whether one is priva-
teer or n regular sailor or soldier. His
business when 1t comes to killing and
stealing is wrong and the Bible proves
It."
He sat down, and the vote was TAX
en-. 1t was overwhelmingly in his IA
vor. The principal rose to his feet
and smiled.
Boys" he said. II am proud Of your
decision. The Ten Commandments are
not debatable. "-Youth's Companion.