The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-09-28
WAR TALKS
By UNCLE DAN
Number Five
Jimmie and German Boy Clash
Must Do Three Things to Save
Country.
Number Five

SAbsy
lt was a warm evening, so Uncle
Dan went out to lawn seat under the
spreading branches of the great tree
that suggested the farms name of Oak
Hill. Billie and Jimmie had been lay
ing for him, so Uncle Dan was cap
tured by the boys on short order.
"Say, Uncle Dan," Billie began. "We
had red-hot argument at school yes
terday with Carl Newman. Carl said
that German schools were miles ahead
of our schools and that no one could
come up to the educated German. Well,
Jimmie got hot under the collar and
handed 1t back to him good and plenty.
Jimmie said If their education taught
them to torpedo Lusitanias, sink hos
pital ships, murder hundreds Of wom-
en- and children, make slaves Of
the Belgians, poison wells, destroy fruit
trees and commit all sorts of crimes,
then we did not want that kind of
education here. What do you think
about 1t, Uncle, Dan? told Jimmie
you spent a lot Of time in Europe and
knew all about schools, so give us your
opinion"
swell" replied Uncle Dan, deliber-
ately, "the German schools are very
thorough; they furnish exceedingly val
liable and practical instruction. The
industrial training given there is prob
ably the best to be found. The schools
as whole, however, in my opinion,
appeal to the head only, and never to
| the heart. The aim and trend Is to
make the individual bllndly submis-
sive to the Prussian plan of world do
minion; they teach that 1t is the des-
| tiny Of Germany to rule the world, and
| that to the glory and advance Of Ger
| many, in this plan, all things must give
| way; that the kaiser as head OF the
| state, can do no wrong If he carries
| forward the plan of world control.
| Some Of the greatest teachers and
/ preachers even defend and justify her
heartless crushing Of Belgians and the
| many other atrocious crimes she has
/ committed In this war. Thank God,
| our American education reaches both
| the head and the heart. 1t is an edu-
| cation with a soul, and we must main
tain the high ideals we have fixed. In
word, in Germany, the people are
taught that they exist for the govern
/ ment, while here the government ex-
lists to serve the people"
Gust wait minute" interrupted
Billie. Say that over again slowly, so
I can write it down."
Uncle Dan, smiIlngly, complied.
Ralie exclaimed Nov, we will hand
I that nut out for Carl to crack.
Carl, you know" continued Billie,
"has a very smart father who keeps
him posted on the German arguments,
Carl said our government was only
an experiment anyway; that 1t would
not last twenty years, and that 1t
might burst up any old time. Jimmie
| asked him If Germany was so mighty
good, why they did not go back there
to live"
"Our government will go on forever,
won't 1t, Uncle DAMP"
"Now," said Uncle Dan, "you are
raising a big question, and one that
has troubled me for years. Our gov
eminent is still In the experimental
stage; in fact, 1t is the greatest ex-
pertinent ever undertaken, and II pop
ular government Is to be successful, a
few things must be done, otherwise to
paraphrase the great Lincoln, the gov
eminent of the people, by the people
and for the people, will perish. 1t is
my firm conviction" said Uncle Dan,
In a very impressive manner, shat II
our country Is to 60 on, as we hope
and pray, we must very quickly do
at least three things, and I will name
them in the order of Importance as 1t
appears to me:
First, adopt compulsory universal
military training of all young men
physically fit before they reach the
age Of twenty years.
Next, require that every foreigner
who comes here to live must, within a
reasonable time, say year, declare
his intention of becoming an American
citizen and take the necessary steps to
do so, thereby, from that moment, as
suming all the obligations of citizen
ship of our country, and that means he
must defend our flag upon equal terms
with our native born. and If he is not
willing to do this, he should be sent
back from whence he came"
"That's the stuff" exclaimed Billie.
"And, finally, enact such legislation
as will make voting compulsory. Pop
ular government is based upon the
participation of all and the rule of
the majority, and democracy cannot
continue and be successful unless we
live up to the spirit of the institu-
ton.
1.-THE first step, however, is the pass
ing Of the Chamberlain bill for univer-
sal military training. If you will get
the leading citizen, and especially the
editor Of your paper, to write personal
letters to your congressman and both
senators, urging their support, it will
help enormously.
IT see by the morning papers," said
Uncle Dan, "that the Rotary clubs Of
the entire country, the livest, most eff
cient organization to be found, have