Licking Valley courier., 1917-12-13
WAR TALKS
By UNCLE DAN
Number FYve
Jimmie and German Boy Clash
Must Do Three Things to Save
Country.
Number Five

SOunb'ys
1t was warm evening, so Uncle
Dan went out to lawn seat under the
spreading branches of the great tree
that suggested the farms name of Oak
Hill. Billie and Jimmie had been lay
ing for him, SO Uncle Dan was cap
tured by the boys on short order. >
"Say, Uncle Dan," Billie began. 1--WE
had a red-hot argument at school yes
terday with Carl Newman. Carl said
that German schools were miles ahead
of our schools and that no one gould
come up to the educated German. Well
Jimmie got hot under the collar and
handed 1t back to him good and plenty.
Jimmie said If their education taught
them to torpedo Lusitanias, sink hos
pital ships, murder hundreds Of wom-
en- and children, make slaves Of
the Belgians, poison wells, destroy fruit
trees and commit all sorts Of crimes,
then we did not want that kind of
education here. What do you think
about 1t, Uncle Dan? l told Jimmie
you spent lot of time In Europe and
knew all about schools. so give us your
opinion"
"Well," replied Uncle Dan, dellber-
ately, "the German schools are very
thorough they furnish exceedingly val
liable and practical instruction. The
Industrial training given there is prob
/ IDLY the beststo be found. The schools
as whole, however, in my opinion
appeal to the head only, and never to
the heart. The aim and trend Is to
make the individual bllndly submis-
sive to the Prussian plan Of world do
minlon; they teach that it is the des-
tiny of Germany to rule the world, and.
that to the glory and advance of Ger
many, in this plan, all things must give
way; that the kaiser rs head of the
state, can dp no wrong If he carries
forward the plan Of world control.
Some of tue greatest teachers and
preachers Zen defend and justify her
heartless crashing Of Belglans and the
many other fatrocious crimes she has
committed h~this war. Thank God.
our American education reaches both
the head and the heart. 1t is an edu-
cation with q soul, and we must main
tain the high ideals we have fixed. In
word, in Germany, the people are
taught that they exist for the govern
ment, while here the government ex'
lists to serve the people"
"Just wait minute" interrupted
Billie. Say that over again slowly, so
can write II down."
Uncle Dan. smilingly, complied.
Billie exclaimed "Now, we will hand
that nut ont for Carl to crack
Carl, you know" continued Billie.
"has very smart father who keeps
him. posted on the. German arguments,
Carl said our government was only
an experiment anyway; that It would
not last twenty years, and that II
might burst up any old time. Jimmie
asked him II Germany was so mighty
good, why they did not go back there
to live"
''Our government will 60 on forever,
won't It, Uncle Danf"
"Now," said Uncle Dan, "you are
raising a big question, and one that
has troubled me for years. Our gov
ernment is still In the experimental
stage; in fact, 1t is the greatest ex-
pertinent ever undertaken, and II pop
ular government Is TO be successful, a
few things must be done, otherwise, to
paraphrase the great Lincoln, the gov
ernment of the people, by the people
and for the people, will perish. 1t is
my firm conviction" said Uncle Dan,
in a very Impressive manner, shat II
our country is to go on, as we hope
and pray, we must very quickly do
at least three things, and will name
them In the order of Importance as II
appears to me:
First, adopt compulsory universal
military training of all young men
physically fit before they reach the
age of twenty years.
|
who comes here to live must within a
reasonable time, say year, declare
his intention of becoming an American
citizen and take the necessary steps tC
do so, thereby, from that moment, as
sumlng all the obligations of citizen
ship of our country, and that means he
must defend our flag upon equal terms
with our native born, and If he is moi
willing to do this, he should be sent
back from whence he came"
"That's the stuff," exclaimed Billie
"And, finally, enact such Legislation
as will make voting compulsory. Pop
ular government Is based upon tn,
participation of all and the rule oI
the majority, and democracy cannot
continue and be successful unless W,
live up to the spirit of the instltu
ton.
"The first step, however, Is the pass
: Ing of the Chamberlain bill for univer
sal military training. If you will &c
, the leading citizen, and especially tn,
editor Of your paper, to write persona
letters to your congressman and botl
| senator's, urging their support, 1t vii
help enormously.
"I see by the morning papers," salI
Uncle Dan, shat the Rotary clubs o
the entire country, the livest, most ell
clent organization to be found, hav,
[ unanimously decided to get back o
the Chamberlain bill and give II loya
and enthusiastic support. They vii
work with the Universal Mllltar,
Training league to accomplish this lm
portant piece of legislation, which vii
do more than anything else to make u
real nation with common view
point, bring us hack to sane living an,
teach US the patriotism Of service"
Pay for Harmful Butterflies.
butterfly catching was converted