The Paducah evening sun., 1910-05-30
THE SANE FOURTH.

In the Popular Mechanics appears
an editorial on 1.-The Sane Fourth,
which we consider we'll worth re-
producing in full:
"The annual celebration OF our
national birthday is rapidly ap-
preaching, and for scores of happy,
healthy boys and girls who are now
studying their lessons and romping
with their playmates, the days OF
life are nearly ended. About one
hundred days in this world is all
that remains to them. 1t is almost
a certainty that some of the parents
who read these lines, and think OF
the fatality as coming to other chill
dren than their own, will be among
those to whom July 4th will here
after bring only the saddest OF
memories.
"Our indifference to the matter
arises from the inborn human tend
ency to always think of disaster in
the third person instead of the first.
and thus no one is specialized. Sup
pose, for example, that congress
voted to sacrifice one boy each year
as a National Fourth of Jelly offer
ing-just one single boy. What an
uproar we would all make! Suppose,
in due process OF law, the victim
was selected and his name and resi-
dence announced some morning.
Suppose, also, he was as unpromis-
ing and unlovable a youngster as
could be found and he lived in a
crossroads village so small 1t was
unknown beyond the county line. In
a few hours the daily press would
food the country with extra editions
while editorial writer's would hurl
denunciation at the LAWMAKERS
while demanding special session
OF congress, u necessary, to repeal
so Infamous q thing. Matters OF the
greatest business Importance. social
events of the first order and other
doings of equal magnitude would
have to appear in obscure portions
OF the papers. In every city, town
and hamlet petitions to the presi-
dent would form as II by magic;
people OF every occupation would
neglect their business In order TO
affix their signature, and before
night several million names OF angry
and determined men and women
would have signed the demand. To
carry the argument to its extreme,
we may even assume that congress
refused to repeal. the president de-
ciined to intercede and the highest
court did not interfere. An attempt
to execute the decree would precipi-
tate civil war.
"All this to save one unknown
boy.
And yet on July 4. 1910, two
hundred or more boys and girls will
yield their lives to a form of cele-
bration which has long ago ceased
to be even patriotic.
while the basis is an impossible
one, the pictured results would be
true In every detail. An entire ma
tion in arms to save one unwilling
victim. The two hundred perish
with only a passing notice by the
puDllc anu SOTToW tohhueu W ieid-
tives and near friends. Then why
should this annual sacrifice con-
tinue? Are not the two hundred OF
equal consequence as one? AS long
as we continue TO be satisfied with
brief annual regrets. and coniine our
efforts to mere talk. conditions will
not change. Two things would seem
to suggest as the logical course TO
bring about a remedy.
Something equally attractive To
children must first be provided as a
substitute: and
Second, the young people them
selves must work to accomplish the
change. This would probably be
-dnnA -hx a .nafinnal- maxfmenf oner'