The Washington herald., 1915-04-14

1t looked as if the horrors OF the French Rcvo-
luton were about to be repeated Drained of their
blood, the people longcd for blood
A great army gathered They raised the ban
ners OF Angry speakers melted them to vio-
ence. They listened eagerly like all people hear
ing their own opinions.
In the tumult no speaker could be heard. But
they all saying the thing and every one
knew what that was.
Presently however, from beneath the shrill
cries, :. quiet voice. 1t was different from
the others, so much clearer so free from bitter
ness that the people grew curious.
The other speakers stopped They looked
around to discover the owner OF the voice.
He was homely little man in a rusty frock
coat and with big spectaces his eyes.
Some OF the taller men lifted him their
shoulders that every might see him.
"My friends" he began, "I know exactly how
you feel. l sympathize. l know there are many
among you whose stomachs arc empty. And I
know how foolish it is to argue with empty
stomachs. I don't wish to argue I merely wish
to make little suggestion about the way you may
secure what you need and what you ought to
have"
He was rather adroit. He didn't begin by an
tagonizng them. He knew that such method
would destroy his chance Of being heard at ALL
He succeeded in stimulating their curiosity.
go on they cried impatiently. "Tel us first
how to get food"
At this point the man made blunder. 1t came
near wreckng his chance OF being heard. These
Ogres that surround U.S." he said, "are not our
enemies. They friends"
The multitude burst into Of derision and
rage. For moment it looked as if they might
tear the man to pieces.
But there something about the calm, steady
gaze from those big glasses that caused the ex-
citencnt to subsde.
The people waited for the little man to say
something more ridiculous. Then they would
punish.
These Ogres," he went on. becoming some
what excited, are really you and me. It's our
life blood that has made them; our needs. They
represent the folly of humankind. We think of
them our enemies because are our own
staring through his goggles and perceving with
anguish that he had not made his meaning plain.
There were MANY cries OF resentment such as
Hes crazy" and Throw him out
But some of the people insisted that he should
be given another chance. A few even vcn.urcd TO
exclaim: He right He's telling us the truth"
"My friends" the old man resumed evidently
determined to make more effort to convey his
idea, "the whole trouble is due to own folly.
We believed IN competition. We made competi,
of our brotherhood, the refusal of recognize our
dependence one another. 1t created wastetul
and dsorganizcd world. And the rich men saw
our folly. They that the world was ready
to pay an enormous price for organization. 1t was
suffering for order Well, those men have given
it to They have done for what we should
have done for ourselves. Isn't the price worth
while? Isn't it just punishment for the sin OF
competition that denied brotherhood and our de-
pendcnce on one another? Now let those rich
men keep what they have and let us accept the
lesson they have given After all, they are
men like ourselves. Only they are wiser than we
have been. God directed them in mysterious ways
to be our scourge and guide. Suppose we
try to do as they have done. Suppose go back
for year and live as brothers, working together,
no for the good of one but for the good of all.
accepting the wonderful blessings of God that
come from organization and corporation: Then
we shall escape the horrors of a revolution. the
fearful destruction OF the things we need for our
sustenance and the anguish of the women and
children who dear to u.s.
The people looked at one another. In groups
they talked excitedly over the strange suggestion
Some OF the men, the husbands and fathers.
and most of the women, were in favor OF trying
the experiment. "a,
Others were bitterly opposed. the exeitab'e
young fellows.
When the argument at its height and the
sentiment in favor OF a trial was plainly gaming
some one looked up and exclaimed: "Oh. see the
To their amazement, the Oeres had gathered
up their long skirts and were running into the
horizon