Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-09
THE VOICE OF
THE PEOPLE
Our Principles Worth Any Sac
rifice-The Community
Chorus
BENEFITS FORGOT
To the Editor Of The EVening Ledger'

To the Editor Of the Eventng Ledger;
Sir-It is generally conceded that no
two brains are constructed alike, our
Creator, in His infinite wisdom, seeing fit
to fashion each one of the 2,OOOOOO,OOO
or more minds in this world more or less
differently one from the others. The in
evitable result is that human beings form
themselves almost automatically, into
groups having certain principles and OBJ
jectives in common, though perhaps diff
fering among themselves as to the method
of their preservation and accomplishments.
Thus in a time of great International
crisis such as the present when the only
possible course is unreserved loyalty to
ones country, there come into evidence and
activity certain groups which advance
propaganda of a disloyal, seditious, even
reasonable nature. They perhaps are con-
scientiously opposed to any participation
whatever in the prosecution of national
strife, even though its purpose be the per-
manent establishment or preservation OF
a great princible These people, though
honestly believing their stand Is justitable
are thorn in the Governments side and
constitute an obstacle in the path to the
goal toward which we are all striving OF
course, the sacrifices will be great, but for
the United States to fail In the successful
prosecution of the present war would be a
great calamity. In other words, the pres
ervation Of the principle for which we ano
our Allies are contending Is well worth
the mighty effort and sacrifice necessary
for It's accomplishment.
Let us stop to consider what is a po'
litical community, and, having fixed that In
our minds then reflect upon the duty each
member thereof owes toward 1t. A political
community, or a state, may be defined as
society of people, living within certain
described geographical limits, having com
mon rights, interests or privileges in mat
ters of property, representation and the
like, and mutually dependent upon ont
another for the necessities of life. 1t fol
| lows that anything which is a benefit to the
community at large Is a benefit to each ant
| every member thereof, and, further, tina
/ the interest Of the entire community or any
| part thereof is superior to private or In
| dividual interest
The United States OF America is a po
| liticaI community noble, generous, fair
| full of it's free institutions. When affront
| are offered against this great communlt,
| and its free existence is In jeopardy II !
| is TO be preserved there are none to stanC
| by II but its members, who are the recip
| tents of its benefits, and every member Il
| alike responsible.
| The above, l think, shows the fallacy o
| the arguments of dssenters from thes
views. They enjoy the benefits of living II
an organized community, yet are unwilling
| to aid that community. their own bene
| factor, when in danger, but seek to justif.
themselves by pleading some creed, faith
grievance, etc, in order TO sidestep the mali
issue In the matter. Such a situation 4
| indeed paradoxical!
May the day soon arrive when war will
be impossible but, when one or more mem
bers Of the family of nations sees fit willfull,
| TO violate the international law which
vital to the welfare OF that family. onl,
| one alternative remains open, l. e.. for tn
rest of the world family TO punish tn
offending member or members And as lonI
as this earth is populated by human be
ings in their present form Of body and MIND
punishment. in some form is the onl
remedy for offenders against any law. Sue
is the job of the United States and ou
Allies, and may we succeed in doing
we'll and speedily
KELLER H. GILBERT.
Philadelphia, October g.