Evening journal., 1918-12-27
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1918.
A CASE IN POINT.


Ut is poor and heariless policy for those who
ttre to measure with the hard-and-fast rule Of ma
turty the excesses and foles Of those who are mma-
ture in thought uttcrahce and action
And when those who are mature seek 10 pursue such
policy It is well for other persons who mature but
more lberaLmnded to intervene to the end that injus-
tice may not be done to the individual to society and
TO the world at large.
The thoughts expressed above brought into being
by the news which from the warfront in Europe
that Major Ralph sasse OF this city has received from
Field Marshal Halg head OF the British forces the Dis
tngushed order reward for devotion to duty
and gaanry in action.
We know that il a martinez up at West Point Mill
tary Academy could have had his way, Major sasse
would not be today major. and the coveted insignia
Of the Distinguished Service Order would not adorn his
chest We also know that t was a Delawarean who had
won distinction himself the field Of battle who pre-
vented that martinez having his way. That man was
Colonel Henry A. dupont. at that time senior United
states Senator from this State Il long and
unremtng nght but Colonel dupont won II. We doubt
that when he read OF the distinction that had come to
the young whose military future he had saved, he
felt than pleased that his personal and official ac-
tion had borne such fine fruit.
But let's go back btl
Several years ago the West Point cadets. OF whom
young Sasse was one. out a hike. Our recol-
lection is that they halted at place along the line
and young and three four Of his comrades
drank some blackberry Wlne IN any event. tney NOateu
the rules governing the corps, and detected They
expected TO be disciplined but they. and their relatives
and friends who subsequently heard Of the occurrence,
were dumbfounded when the extreme penalty OF expul
sion from the academy inflicted upon them.
Among those who shared their indignation Colonel
dupont himself a West Point man. who had played
conspicuous part on the Union side In the Civil War.
The fact that young sasse and his companions in
expulsion members Of prominent Democratic fami
lies weighed for nothing with the senior SENATOR Re-
publican Of Republicans lie took up the fight Of the
four or 1--WE boys as though it were his own Tight In
Congress and out Of Congress- in the War Department
and out Of the War Department in the White House
and out Of the White House. he urged the reinstatement
OF those expelled boys It long struggleso long,
in fact that young sasse accepted position South
America.
Colonel dupont met opposition in many directions.
He refused to take mol" for an answer And when fin
ally. the Official action necessary for the full reinsaie
Of those errng and repenant boys had taken
Of them happier than this colonel Of the
Civil War who could not and would not accept the doc
trne that youthful ndscreton justified the blasting Of
a human and a human career.
Young Sasse returned from South America. lie re-
entered West Point In 1916 he was graduated from that
Institution. Seventeen days later he and all the
bers Of his class promoted to the rank of first
lieutenant In July, 1917 young sasse went to France
One month later he was made captain. Less than
year later he was made a major and now ne wears one
OF the most coveted orders in the gift Of the British
military authorities
We repeat therefore that IT is poor and heartless
policy for those who mature to measure, with the
hardandfast rule of maturity the exceses and oes Of
those who immature in thought uterance and action
We also repeat that when those who are mature
seek to such policy is well other persons
who mature, but lberal-mnded to intervene
to the end that injustice may not be done to the in
dvidual' to society and TO the world at large.