The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-12-28
News and Comment

| uFsah aA pfecedentS py answering yes, sir
| when addressed.
He may even snap to attention when tha fond
parent-hitherto, perhaps. but affectionateIy toll
! erated-speaks to him.
the parent can stand the shock OF this, lie
may live to see his son literally leap to obey
when ordered or requested TO perform some
small task. He will "hit the floor with click
and snap into It," Fathers with weak hearts
should prepare themselves for just such a sur
PRISE. II son is half a soldier he is not going
to shed all of his acquired characteristics at
once. II he was properly drilled and properly
trained, he is never going to be quite the same
siouchy. sloppy youth he once was. He is going
to realize that snap, pep" courtesy, and obedi-
cnce to those entitled to exact obedience are just
as good qualities In civilian as in a soldier.
And Mother ought TO collect some dividends
also The youth who knew that a careIessiy
thrown cigarette butt would bring a prompt PEN
atty; or who has drawn down the wrath OF an Of
ficer for a dirty bunk or carelessly kept belong
ings, ought to be a little less of load around
the house" Mother may experience the pleas
urable shock of entering her sons room in the
morning, to find it shipghape and ready for in
spection." Picture the shock she would have
to find no work to be done aside from a possible
making of the bed. On the other hand, he may
even carry it SO far as to pass his finger along
that neglected book case and holding it up COW
cred with dust, exclaim: '"Ten demerits Mother"
That should be guarded against.
Yes the boys ought to know the value of cour-
tesy, and also something about house keeping.
Perhaps the war will make America safe for
parents, as we'll as the world safe for democracy
1t may even restore them to their former position
when they were masters and mistresses of the
household. They have that opportunity if they
seize 1t. and insist that they are entitled to as
much respect and obedience as a second lieuten-
ant or top sergeant. X.
Once again, these are good days to read his
tory.
When you view the disorder and chaos sweep
ing Europe, and fear that the horrors Of revolu-
tion may yet come to America, get down vol
ume OF American history and read of the trying
days that followed the Revolution.
II gives you better perspective on the pres
ent dtsordcred state of the world. America then
felt the threat Of the collapse Of society Hungry
men demanded immediate redress of their griey-
ances, and legislation that would give them food,
work and relief from their debts The dis
charged soldiers banded themselves together and
formed their committees The law courts were
their particular target. The ugly spectre of mob
government raised its head then as it is raising
its head now in many parts of the world. But
good sense triumphed then as it will and must
triumph IN America now. Bolshevisrn isn't
new phenomenon. We had it in America in 1887.
The best antidote to it is bread, work wages
that leave margin above the cost of living, and
economic conditions that will stimulate effort not
deaden 1t. Meanwhile the most dangerous en-
enies of society are the political proffteers who
make capital from hunger and discomfort, with
out any honest effort to remedy conditions. we
have them in the United States, plenty of them
and some OF them are represented right here in
Fargo.
There is one book that we hope to live long
enough to read. ~. @#
1t will be the history Of the World War writ
ten by "Ex-President Woodrow Wilson"
Mr.. Wilson has just passed his sixty second
birthday. When he completes his second term
as President he will be 81 years of age Extra
ordinary conditions may arise to induce him to
run for third term, but it is not thought likely
now that no will be candidate
When he retires from the White House it is
more than probable that his inclinations will
lead him back to the literary field. What could
be more interesting than a volume or ten VOL
umes OF Mr.. Wilson's history of the great war?
Suppose he would revert to his old slogan of
tpitiIess publicity" now changed to "pitiful" and
reveal the whole inside story of American par
ucipation in thelwar.
No modern writer has a greater nicely in his
choice Of words. No man knows better how to
use the English language From a literary stand
point alone, such a history would be a rare gem
And think of the original sources OF information
he would have available
Mr.. Wilson need never worry about his finan-
cal affairs after leaving the White House. When
he undertakes to write his history of the war he
can name his own price and collect in advance
Conservation of profanity is being urged on
the members of the American Expeditionary
Forces, who are being asked to drop one damn
day."
Chaplains, and Y. M. C. A. and Knights of
Columbus secretaries had to readjust their views
on profanity when they entered the army. They
rapidly learned that words that sounded like
blasphemy carried no significance in the every
day conversation of army life. They made
virtue of necessity and they learned to tolerate
profanity even though it didn't square with their
conscience. Obscenity probably was less in ev1-
dence in the army than in civil life but it must
be acknowledged that The average doughpoy did
sprinkle his vocabulary quite freely with "damns'
and "Hells"
Now he is faced with the possibility of return
ing home and taking his accustomed place in
civil life. He is beginning to realize that his
vocabulary is in need Of careful revision and
drop one damn a day" is rather expressive
of the attitude Of couple OF million khaki clad
youths today
Concealed in the letters written to the bureau
Of war insurance of the war department, are
countless tragedies and comedies. The Los An
geies Times has collected a number OF extracts