Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1904-11-19
NOT DEBATABLE.
The Argument Brought Forward by
the Boy Was Unanswersbie.

The principal Of one Of the public
schools Of Chicago has long been Ia
yorite 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 rela-
tions with him and add interest to
their studies. During the early days
of the war between Russia and Japan
Il 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 in front seat.
"Why?" asked the principal.
because it would not be right"
"Why would it notp
"Debate! Debatew came a cry from
many quarters. The principal smiled
and acauiesced and was at once chosen
nrst 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 it chiefly on history. He
told much of the history Of war and or
privateering, brought the boys down
to the Revolution and the war Of 1872,
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 enthusias-
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 impressiyely.
children" he said, "how many OK
YOU 20 to church and Sunday schoolY
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
one Of the Ten Commandments 49,
Thou shalt not steal?"
Every one remembered 1t.
"How many of you remember that
another commandment is, Thou SHAFT
not killP"
That. too. was generally known.
children" said the youngster, as II
he had been an old man addressing
them. "the business Of a privateer Is
killing and stealing. He goes out 10
kill the sailors of the other side ana
TO steal what they have got. The bi'
BILE does not say, Thou shalt not Kill
except In 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 DC
argued here. You all know that. IL
does not matter whether one is priva'
teer or a regular sailor or soldier. HI.
, business when it comes to killing ano
: stealing is wrong, and the Bible proves
: It."
He sat down, and the vote was TAX
, en-. 1t was overwhelmingly in bis IA
, yor. The principal rose to his fee'
and smiled.
) Boys" he said, II am proud OF youl
| decision. The Ten Commandments are
| not debatable. YOUTHS Companion