Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1917-12-13
WAR TALKS
By UNCLE DAN
Number Fipe
Jimmie and a German Boy Clash
Must Do Three Things to Save
Country.
Number Fhe

Country.
II was a 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 nv the boys on short order.
SAY. Uncle Dan, Billie began. I'VE
had rcd.hot argument at school yes
terdny with Carl Newman. Carl said
that German schools were miles ahead
of our schools and that no one could
come IN to the educated German. Well,
Jimmie got hot under the collar and
handed II back to him good and plenty.
Jimmie said If their education taught
them to torpedo Lusltanias, sink hos
pltal ships, murder hundreds or wom'
On and children, make slaves or
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? told Jimmie
Won spent lot Of time In Europe and
knew all about schools, so give us your
opinion"
well" replied Uncle Dan, deliber-
ately, "the German schools are very
thorough: they furnish exceedingly val
liable and practical instruction. The
industrial training given there Is prob
ably the hest to be found. The schools
MS a whole, however, in my opinion,
appeal to the head only, and new TO
The heart. The aim and trend is 10
make the individual blindly submis-
Sive 10 the Prussian plan of world do
minion; they teach that II In the des-
tiny of Germany to rule the world, and
that 10 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
hcartleSs crushing OF Bclgians and the
many other atrocious crimes she has
committed IN this war. Thank God,
our American education reaches both
the head and The heart. II Is an edit
cation with 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
4 ment while here the government ex
lists to serve the people"
Just walt Il minute" interrupted
+ Billie. Say that over again slowly, so
| can write 1t down
unele Dan smilingly, complied.
Billie exclaimed Nov, we win hand
that nut out for Carl to tpck,
/ Carl, you know" continued Billie,
has ii very smart father who keeps
\ lilo posted on the German arguments.
I Carl said our government was only
an experiment anyway; that II would
not last twenty years, and that II
might burst up any old time. Jimmie
asked him IL Germany was so mighty
good. why they did not go back there
! to live"
"Our government will go on forever,
won't ii, Uncle DAM"
"Now," said Uncle Dan, "you are
raising big question, and one that
has troubled me for years. Our gov
eminent is still in the experimental
stage: in fact, II is the greatest ex-
pertinent ever UNI ertaken, and II pop
4 ular government is to be successful,
few things must be done, otherwise, to
1 paraphrase the great Lincoln, the gov
ornment of the people, by the people
and for the people, will perish. II Is
nv firm conviction" said Uncle Dan.
In q very impressive manner, "that II
our country is TO so on, as we hope
and pray, we must very quickly do
at least three things, and l 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
Next, require that every foreigner
who comes here TO live must, within
reasonable time. say q year. declare
his intention of becoming an American
citizen and take the necessary steps to
DO 30, thereby. from that moment. as
Stunning all the obligations of citizen.
ship Of our country, and that means he
must defend our dag upon equal terms
with our native born, and II he is NOT
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 win make voting compulsory. Pop.
ular government Il based upon the;
participation OF all and the rule Of
the majority. and democracy cannot
continue and be successful unless we
live up to the spirit Of the institr
don.
The first step, however. Is the pass
ing Of the Chamberlain bill for univer>
sol military training. II You win get
the leading citizen. and especially the
editor Of your paper. to write personal
letters to your congressman and both
senator's urging their support. II win
helm enormously.