New Britain herald., 1918-01-14

outlandish and pernicious doctrines. The American is indulgent to a fault and slow to wrath. But he is now passing through a time of tension and strain. His teeth are set and his nerve on edge. He sees more close ly approaching every day the dark valley through which his sons and brothers must pass and from which too many alas, will not return.
 ''It is an evil time to cross him. He is not in the temper to be trifled with. Let the Bolsheviki in our midst be warned in time.
 When l speak of the BOlsheviki in our midst as foes of National unity I mean to include those of American stock who are their allies, comrades and followers-those who put mar row class interest and sloppy in ternationalism above patriotism, with whom class hatred and envy have be- come a consuming passion, whom visionary obsessons and a false con- ception of equality have inflamed to the point of irresponsibility. But I am far from meaning to reflect upon those who, while determined Social ists, are patriotic Americans.
 The Socialist State a Dream.
 T believe the Socialist state to be an inlpracticable conception, a uto- plan dream, human nature being what it is, and the immutable laws of na- ture being what they are. But there is not little in Socialist doctrine and aspirations that is high and noble, some things, too, that are achievable and desirable.
 And to the extent that Socialism is an antidote to and a check upon ex- cessive individuaIsm and holds up to a busy and self-centered and far from perfect world, grievances to be reme- did, wrongs to be riShted, ideals to be striven for, it is a force distinctly for good.
 'still less do I mean to reflect upon tho labor union movement, which I regard as an absolutely necessary ele- ment in the scheme of our economic life It's leaders have acted with ad- mira ble patriotism in this crisis of the nation, and on the whole have been a factor against extreme tendencies and irrational aspira tions.
 What Trade Unions Can Do
 ''Trades unions have not only come to stay, but they are bound, I think, to become an increasingly potent factor in our industrial life. I believe that the most effective preventive against State Socialism is frank, free and far reaching cooperation between busi- ness and trades unions, sobered and broadened increasingly by enhanced opportunities, rights and responsibil- ities.
 T do not preach standpatism. I be- lieve, by no means, that everything is
 
 that reforms arc not necessary. I yield to no one in the warmth of my sympathy for those whose life is a hard and weary struggle to make both ends meet and in the genuine ness of my desire to see their burden frightened. I believe in progress and social justice. I believe we must all strive in very way consistent with economic truth and with such laws of nature as are beyond our power to change, to spread ever more extend edly the comforts. rewards, joys and aspira tions of life.
 But this is not the time for set ting complex social questions. When your house is being invaded by burg lars you do not discuss family ques- tions. Let win the war first. NOth- ing else must now be permitted to occupy our thoughts and divert our aims.
 When we shall have attained vic- tory and peace, then will be the time for uG to sit down and reason to- gether and make such changes in po- litical and social conditions as, after full and fair discussion, free from heat and passion, the enlightened public opinion of the country deems requisite.''