Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1916-12-21
DR.. PARSONS AND DR.. JONES.

~" NN
W. have read with Interest the explanation offered by Dr. W. Fran2ln 9
,ooes Doctor of Philosophy, occupying a chair in the University o. so""
Dakota, regarding the circumstances surrounding suchp hsSaeae EXAM n"eph
nf npus as he suggests, and we confess that we perceive no 1usthaDie
reason or the attack made by DR.. Parsons, a Doctor OF Mealcne Oh spN
Fans( S. D., upon the plan and indirectly upon Dr. Jones Tor advocating "
II all the wisdom of the universe were bound up in Dr.. Parsons we
might excuse him for his concel. We might even yenturet to jon HIM IN ms
efforts to rest in himself and those fr whom he speaks a m e5o s M
both examinations and treatment, but until there is evidence ASIDE ITO"
that furnished by the doctor himself, that wisdom abdeh OF IN others" we
shall be constrained to think that mayhap a lucklesS hn nms u a
osteopath, or even the harmless homeopath, might be utlhzed o ana
then for examinations if the parties directly concerned so Will
The trouble with the professional gentleman from Sioux Falls seems to
be that he is becoming more political doctor than m Of medcine- sort
of walking delegate for a propaganda winch appears 10 seen !" 'Ap'a"No
peoples fears with respect to physical ailments.
To say this is lot to reflect upon Dr.. Parsons standing as a physician
nor upon tn school of medicine to which he belongs (Which has produced
some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons America las known, Who
have wrought wonders in SURGERY, but rather it is a plea . iof noe as Itmhaa
the right, on the part Of the examined, to choose INC anu me ne
further right TO choose the method of treatment; yea, ever the ght TO
select a competent person like Dr. Jones fr the examination II the parent
OF the party affected so desires.
Denied the right ito worship according to the dictates of their con
science, our forefathers shook the dust of Europe from their feet and sub
seouenly established upon American soil a government whose foundation
rested upon the principle OF Hberty-nbety Of worship, liberty of conscience,
liberty to choose, within the bounds of reason, the particular metho ny
which m may go either to heaven or to hell as the cae nay %.
True, the generations that came after those who had crossed the ocean
to maintain their selfrespect became in turn oppressors TX mt them
from whom their fathers had fled, but nut Of h travail OF al rnn taxes ms
there evolved the spirit of rs, which found response at Getsspufs ana
Appamattox and which reahrned that Vdu 81 smeh rsmou"
Rock is a symbol
this liberty was purchased by flight and half a century after individual
freedom had been confirmed in blood, and proposes, in effect that none
but the elect, chosen by the propaganda which he represents, shall be per.
mited to pass upon the physical and mental condition of public enc
children. Even the sacredness of the home shall not be exempt from the
drastic provisions which he would impose-for, eventually, the aim is to
apply promiscuously to the public the regulations which he would provide
for the pupils, eventuatng, now in theory but presently in practice, in such
compulsory treatment as may be prescribed by the examiners whom the
propaganda would name.
AS to the position of DR.. Jones and that assumed by DR.. Par
to reasonable examinations. but we think W e re within the bounds of truth
cational association of South Dakota in convention assembled in Waterfowl
last month. DIR. Jones may De wrong-far wrong-but 1T is 10 indication
that Or. Parsons is right
This country has been trying to get away from what it conceives to b
s sort OF putocratic anstocracy. Campaigns have been won and lest Q THU
issue. The great battle of 1916 involved what the rank and file of the ives
believed whether justly or not is immateTial lin this connecton) to be thu
principle of individual and collective liberty IS distinguished from privileged
autocracy.
gA# II it were merely a question of examinations, s o far al DIR. Parsons
propaganda is concerned, there might not be 10 serious objections. even OF
the part of those who are otherwise inclined. but it seems rather to be
question of examiners. @
We do not know of a very considerable proportion Of people who objec
to reasonable examinations, but we think we are within he bounds of tut
when we say that we think a cry large percentage seriously object to til
sort Of rules and regulations that Dr. Parsons, propaganda would impose
Of the situation which prompt the doctor to make himself so conspicuous a
ance. # a# @###@
let them do SO; if they wish to risk treatment BY AZ osteopath, let IL be thei
privilege f they choose to test the efficacy of homeopathic treatment, lie
hen g that way; and If they prefer to die ~ the Christian Science route
Why that's their affair.
e pr. Parsons would consider all Of these weakmdnded and incapabl
- slnteligenty Judging for themselves, he should console himself with TIL
concentration ct the possible extinction of the weak and Incompetent II th
treatme the may choose is n more encaciouss than he assumes to thin
81 ~ Pc hus leaving the whole face ~ the earth q the wise and the strona
MAGNM