Denver labor bulletin., 1918-04-27
The Open Forum
LOOKING FOR LIGHT.

STERLING, Colo, April 20, 1918.
Editor Denver Labor Bulletin:
So much is being said and done in
this eventful time in connection with
politics and religion that one is at a
loss to know just what principles are
at stake and what a person ought to
believe. For instance, IN "The Ameri-
cans Creed" just published, we sub
scribe to the principles of govern
ment whose "just powers are derived
from the consent of the governed" :"
that is, we do not recognize the right
of kings and kaisers. Our govern
ment is founded on the principles of
freedom, equality, justice and hu-
manity for which our fathers died"
How devotedly have we honored
these great principles and how proud
we are of our form of government.
1 But in spite of our devotion we stand
today in a sea of trouble, anxiety in
creasing day by day and a candid look
/ into the future has but little hope or
consolation for thousands and thou
sands of people who trusted that our
form of government would save US
from the defects of other forms. But
the terrors and aConies of Europe
of kingdoms and dynastices is upon us
/ Just the same. Free America is fast
becoming an armed camp-is becom-
/ ing just that which we hoped would
not overtake US.
Then ! was reading the Rev. Chas.
Stelzle's homage to Jesus in the same
/ Bulletin appraisinC him as a great
| leader. and vet who has he led and
/ how are we TO find the fruit of his
greatness? He began in Palestine
and just to the proportion in which
/ his leadership has been recognized in
high authority have the nations be
come dark and undesirable. Germany,
| Russia, Rumania. Armenia, Serbia.
I Italy. Greece. all led by his teaching
and example for hundreds of years
and this very moment clinging to
this same system miserable and ter
rorized beyond conception. Is this
the best the earth can offer? Is this
the best heaven can bestow? Is the
world war the best which modern poll
cies of government can hope for? Is
the slavery of Belgium and Serbia
and Poland and the Beast of Ber-
! lin" the best which the leadership of
religion can furnish How has all
the boasted glory of craftsmanship and
religion made the world better than
Paganism? Was the galley slave un-
der greater duress than the thousands
of deportees from Belgium and
France? Were the conscriptions of
Genghis Khan or Genseric worse
than those of king and kaiser today
Impregnated with the greatness of
modern craftsmanship and religion
the world has brought forth hell. And
the villainy which has precipitated
this frightful calamity takes delight
in prosecuting anyone who refuses to
holler for its success World politics
has put premium on killing and
world religion shouts God bless YOU"
The same statesmanship and religion
promoted in the future must repeat
the same calamity. This is a reason
able conclusion. To make the world
safe new system of government and
new system of religion must take
the place of the present false and dis
astrous composition. Whatever else
may be suggested for our future guide
the gang spirit must be replaced by
personal independence which will re-
fuse to be brow-beaten by neither
stategraft or priestgraft.
]. G. SCHWALM.
DENVER, Colo, April "a, 1918.
Editor Labor Bulletin:
Please permit me to use the col