The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-11-12
WAR TALKS
By UNCLE DAN
Jimmie and a German Boy Clash
Must Do Three Things to Save
Country.
Number Five

It 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 could
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 it. Uncle Dan? 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
ably the best to 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 blindly submis-
sive to the Prussian plan Of world do
mlnion; 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 as head OF the
state, can do no wrong If he carries
forward the plan Of world control.
Some of the greatest teachers and
preachers even defend and justify her
heartless crushing of Belgians and the
many other atrocious crimes she has
committed in this war. Thank God,
our American education reaches both
the head and the heart. 1t Is an edu-
cation with soul, and we must maiH-
tain the high ideals we have fixed. In
a 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 a minute" interrupted
Billie. Say that over again slowly, so
I can write 1t down"
Uncle Dan, smilingly, complied.
Billie exclaimed: snow, we will hand
that nut out for Carl to crack.
Carl, you know" continued Billie,
"has a very smart father who keeps
him posted on the German arguments.
Carl said our government was only
an experiment anyway; that 1t would
not last twenty years, and that 1t
might burst up any old time. Jimmie
asked him If Germany was so mighty
good, why they did not 60 back there
to i've"
"Our government will 90 on forever,
won't It, Uncle Dam"
snow" said Uncle Dan, you are
raising a big question, and one that
has troubled me for years. Our gov
eminent 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
eminent Of the people, by the people
and for the people, will perish. 1t is
my firm conviction" said Uncle Dan,
In q 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 At before they reach the
age Of twenty years.
' "Next. require that every foreigner
a.. 4.