Milford chronicle., 1904-11-18
NOT DEeATABLE.
The Argument Brought Forward by
the Boy Was UnanswerabIa.

ENFs unheht brought Forward By
the hoy Was UnRnswerabIs.
The principal of one Of the public
schools of Chicago has long been a ia.
vorite with his pupils because of the
whole hearted manner in which he en-.
ters into their school life. Debates.
Junior city councils, clubs Of MANY
kinds bring them into intimate rels-
tlons with him and add interest to
their studies. During the early dsvs
OF the war between Russia and Japan
1t 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 bows
brought up the question of privateering.
shouldn't we stop it?' demanded an
urchin in front seat.
"Why" asked the PRINCIPAL.
Because it would not be right"
"Why would it not?"
Debate! Debatew came a crv From
many quarters The principal smiled
and acquieseed and was at once chosen
first speaker for the affirmative. The
boy who raised the question was Sc
iected to defend the negative.
The principal is a 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 ton of a
desk and began impressively to deliver
his argument.
He based it 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 it could to iniure the
other The boys were manifestIy i'm
pressed. Their martial spirit was
They applauded enthusias-
tically.
Then the boy rose to reply. He was
not a 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
he Ten Commandments? ?" 4
Every hand remained raised.
How many Of you remember that
me Of the Ten Commandments is.
Thou shalt not steai?'"
Every one remembered it.
"How many of you remember that
mother commandment is, Thou shalt
ot kill?" I
That, too. was generally known. !
"Children," said the youngster, as If
e had been an old man addressing
lem, 'the business of d privateer is
illing and stealing. He goes out to G
i'll the sailors OF the other side and
} stea! what they have got. The BIZ Il
lie does not say. Thou shalt not kin t
xcept in time Of war 1t does not
ny. Thou shalt not steal unless you Z
re a privateer.' 1t says simply you s
hall not kill or steal any time. There f
no question of right OF wrong to be G
-gued here. You all know that. 1t Fl
pes not matter whether one is a priva- +
er or a regular sailor or soldier. His a
lsiness when it comes to killing and n
ealing is wrong. and the Bible proves s,
!" D
He sat down. and the vote was TAX II
/. 1t was overwhelmingly In his ia
,r. The principal rose to his feet "
I'd smiled n
Boys" he said. II am proud of your Fl
cision. The Ten Commandments are al
t debatable. Youths Companion. bt
p