South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-17
DEMOCRACY AND DEALLSMS
BY John Erskine of Columbia University

develop their instincts and impulses rather
than free them from the tyranny Of those impulses
and instincts ut dangerous this surrender to ma
ture is il is dangerous just now. firmly believe.
the doctrine irresponsibiy. OF anarchy. which
spreads fast among No ideal genuine unless
the VIII Is enlisted 10 make II real and liberty OF ans
kind is but empty word unless those who shout II
and call for it will undertake the responsibility OF get
ing and keeping H. II are TO remain tree we must
obviously share in the drugery OF freedom
We must exercise courteous forbearance toward the
idosyncracies OF others, and must keep prom
ises, though it be hurt IN the mainten-
Of intellectual liberty. a liberty maintained by
discussion we must tell the whole truth: il is only
the whole truth that will make free. Clearly we
not in the mood nowadays TO assume this Dartcu-
lar responsibility We dislike tell the whole truth
about Germany, because. il did. should have
10 mention some admirable qualities, and we wish not
10 admire the enemy Similarly dislike 10 tell the
whole truth OF opponents in political campaigns
we do not cOncede the numerous successes OF the al
mnistration which wish to supplant; if did.
there would be nOthins left point out lame
conclusion, the respects in which we think We coud
do better. dramatic charge the other
party with complete failure and add broad hints
plain assertions that opponents CROOKS
academic world, where freedom is essential
the advance Of knowledge scholars are not always
scrpuIois to tell the whole truth about those with
whom we differ II persuaded that school
boards college trustees fail in this point that
to give scholarship its announcement think
strengthen if suppress the fact thai
school boards and trustees are not complete failures
but have actually rendered service to education. Tt
prudent to many of us, moreover, TO suppress
the fact that not all teachers take their profession no
bly, even seriously. BY telling only part Of the
truth, do succeed in arousing public camOr, but
the points which intelligent progress toward
intellectual freedom might be made
ADVANTAGES ARE OBVIOUS.
The advantages involved in this ideal liberty
so obvious that we may well pause ask why
are careful whole truth. careful
the utmost selfrestrant, in order that
least the liberty have achieved may be handed
down children. 1t is this disposition toward
anarchy a dangerous enemy, I repeat than the
philosophy, which leads not to preserve
ideals but loot them Is there liberty already
achieved? Then let seize all of il: let
without responsibility; let exhaust it
a selfish might exhaust another mans land;
and let the other restore his Inheritance he
may ideals attained in this world by sef-ds-
cipline by cooperation there always a tempta-
ton the to seize than his share
without cooperating at ALL if only he is the first 10
o this he IS fairly that his more conscientious
fellows will for a while at least try make good his
taking responsibilities upon themselves.
But when too many citizens become anarchists there
enough OF the conscientious to maintain an
ideal the selfish to loot
Anarchy ideal takes root in countries which
a strong government, whether autocratic demo-
cratic. You neglect your responsibilities only
when else does the work for you. OF
If your government shoots hangs the anarchist he