The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-24
DEMOCRACY AND AUTOCRACY.
Dr. Ramsford's View OF the Essential
Issue OF the War.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir! Let
the attitude of the Government be as
neutral as 1t may there can be no neu-
tralty for well informed Americana on the
question now debating In the last dread
court of war.
Whether we realize IL or no, the allies
are fighting our fight. the fight OF democ-
racy against autocracy. fight for all
civilization stands for against brute force.
II II no exaggeration to say that the
destiny OF civilization for many genera
tions to come Is being decided now. All
we hold most dear, all that the Constitu-
tion and customs OF our country stand
for. Is held UP TO scorn.
Weak nations have no rights. IL those
rights happen to conflict with the aspira-
tons OF the strong.
No engagements. however sacred. are
OF permanent value except so far ms they
advance the interests OF race that has
elected Itself superior to all others.
No national engagement, no Hague trib-
unal, IL of consequence.
Though such restraints as these to bar
barlsm have been long in building though
on them men have fixed their hopes and
builded their faith, they are worth moth
ing They may be rightfully cast aside.
These facts are terrible enough but
the theory OF morals standing back OF
them Is an even more serious thing. II
is this new moral or immoral theory which
us vitality.
Attention has been fixed too exclusively
on certain very awful phases Of this con-
flict Very terrible things have happened,
things without precedent even, In modern
war.
Soldiers. let US hope famished with
hunger and then. maddened with wine,
have been guilty OF barbar.tics unknown
to war since the seventeenth century; l
speak OF the mutilation OF children.
The horror OF II hypnotizes our atten-
ton. We must not permit this. We must
look deeper We must seek It's cause.
The German Is as humane n man as the
American. How comes IL then that even
when drunk he has developed such ruth
lessncss, at least during the first part OF
this war?
There Is a reason. and every one should
know Il.
Those who rule Germany, and many
who teach her youth. have succeeded in
educating themselves out OF every moral
scruple
They have adopted certain scientific for
mulg and have deduced from these GER
tain immoral conclusions conclusions that
run directly counter to the accumulated
experience OF our race.
Their amazing efficiency is only equalled
! by their moral effrontery.
Everything that every good mother has
tried 10 teach her children Is by them
flout"d and denied.
The end, necessary and glorious, jusd-
fcs the means.
The jesultry OF long ago, that has
slowly been disowned and cast forth by
all progressive peoples, is by these men
thronod and crowned anew
81. Paul wrote that the man who said,
Let us do evil that good may come"
was Justly damned Germany. unre-
pentant and in the face OF day, now de-
clares that TO do evil that good may come
Is the newest and truest gospel Of all. and
that those who refuse to believe Il and
act on II are either hypocrites or fools.
This IL IN issue that Is being fought
out. And | say that the allies fighting
against Germany are lighting our battle
w s. RAISsFoRD.
RrpGEFIELD. Conn. October 90.