The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-11-13

II punctuates the mind OF the civil
liked world with an exclamation point
In the impenetrable cloud OF rumor. OF accu-
sation and counter-accusation. OF horror tale
and denial. how is the truth-seeking faculty to
function?
IL you permanently confuse the OF
truth the whole social structure atrophies
How can we keep falsehood from bewilderng
US in our iudgment1
For centuries we have been trying 10 train
the human mind TO distinguish truth from
error. Truth is the base rock Of all science
OF all religious law. OF all pedagogical Efforts.
OF the principles OF commerce and trade. II
is. therefore. vital to analyze every new cpl
demic of untruth to discover II possible the
causes and effects.
There are innumerable examples OF what we
call the war lie one Of the most spectacular
has been the war babies" scare. IN the
whole history Of the invidious art OF fouIing
ones own nest there has probably never been
so complete a masterpiece" says the Man
chester Guardian tEngland). This opinion is
based upon the evidence recently furnished
on the war baby" by the report OF the British
National Union of Women Workers This
committee made an immediate Investigation of
the rumors which spread like wildhre across
the civilized globe 10 the effect that the Brit
ish army guilty Of great immortality In the
neighbOrhood OF the training camps. The
1t was discussed seriously everywhere.
A psychologist suggested 10 me that he be
neved the war had produced a new instinct
instinct roofing in the primal force Of ma
ture itself. for the continuance OF the human
species This instinct he thought either new
or at least fresh demonstration or adjust
ment OF the old instinct OF a man to perpet
uate himself. Here, he suggested. was not an
individual, not even tribal instinct but a
stupendous national force to keep the world
Inhabited.
Tho sociolopfs+s Java tho r,r,o- f,,r,odi,ta
attention. In the civilized world-or al least
n presentable part OF it-sOCiety Is built upon
the unit OF the family. and the family is con
structed upon strict marriage law which has
20 do with the legitimate birth OF children. II
this war baby irregularity 70 be &C
cepted as a military necessity. what effect was
It 10 have upon our old family unit?
The moralists were equally puzzled. II did
not take any great profundity OF thought 20
picture a military conditon-an extreme need
where the war baby might be necessary
but had England reached that point2
SO the war baby gave US opportunity for
some very learned discussions. / think We were
Just about ready 10 arrive al some kind Of
conclusion when the British National Union OF
Women Workers came forth with the truth
about the war baby" Here are few ex
tracts from their report: We were told that
the Government was making large additions TO
the lyingin wards Of the inhrmaries. Not
single new bed has been ordered. We were
told that In a wellknown maternity hosn'te.
preparations we're being made 20 add fifteen
new wards The additions We're begun IN 1918
I'VE heard that In an important place the
lyfngin ward OF the Iuh~marv was iIll and that
thew we're contemplating new ward There
was not single case IN the ward ard no new
ward was contemplated. Place after
place reports nothing abnormal no increase
expected"
The vide acceptance Of this war Die makes
r. OF special interest TO the psvchclogis' How
did the mind Of man start such a r1mOr 5nd
why was the world ready 20 accept it as
the TRUTH or course. a. bottom We have the
old bliRhting influence % The emotion OF cV-
citemeut upuu the intellect-upon our ability
20 judge. Al a time when Europe. Asil and
Africa are IN a state bordering upon aadues7.
human emotion is. OF course. running rampant
Notwithstanding the long battle ~ the intellect
10 control the emotions. there has been little
headway a moment or an episode Of intense
excitement. and the spark has been struck 90
the emotions. lu the upheaval which follows
no one knows just whore 20 search Tor the
pieces Of those old human standoys judge
fnent and horse sense.
This explosive effect % excitement upon the
Judgment is illustrated every day. We do not
need a world war fo demonstrate the fact In
your own experience you probably can rrWom-
Der the time when you we're startled hF 'he
cry ~ FIRE iu the niEht fou jumped from bed
and threw on the Ishts Your FIRST idea was
90 save yourself You saw that The avenue
OF escape vas sim open Then yDI turned f0
your prOUcrfF.UlIr treasured possessions.
Ten minutes later. when the Orc was ont and
you were creeping about your front lawn
gathering up OH" treasures Fon Tire" from ,le
window. sou discovered tu your horror mat
you had saved toothbrush. n comb. au old
hat one shoe and buttorh0ok Tho trst
minute Of excitement had blasted your lIi-.
mont into frF.usuf# Your mind was I..
be.p'sra Ir ifs attempt no recognize values
Whom che mind IH uut iu fHIH condition i'..
sion and HaUItIuaH1n ind fertile ..N sitter
Che hlsf blast OF emotional eA"it'uru. -.ta
Intellect g. ptIa.Fzrd and strong mind iH
crippled The roruIunurv uf ODE injury Del
regulated by Ihs intensity OF fhr emotion ard
the shock Tho mental rr0rcHffF mIruH t.r
ability '0 weigh and lr1gs evidence. fH com.
pare values. ar. i1 "a state whore .HHy Nigh.
81 .-.-..-.--- Ill nn-.n-.-,. II --..L.-..