New-York tribune., 1919-12-19
Creating Loyalty
Education, Not Force, Con
Uerts the Radical
o the Editor Of The Tribune.

o The Edltor Oh Inc Tribune.
Sir: In Saturdays Tribune your
correspondent, Mr.. Edison, testfies 10
the folly Of education, citing himself
as an example; but this is folly.
judgment.
Educate doesn't mean to talk sweetly
and softly to the violent radical who
Is actively spreading dangerous and
destructive propaganda. Let the police
of the nation deal with the criminal.
It means the instruction of the
masses whom the radical finds so easy
g prey. Il means to fortify the people
tho great majority truth and
facts, TO arm them with clear under
standing Then they Viii not accept
their first practical civics lesson given
them on the street corner By the an
archist. And they will not be blinded
to the general or the ultimate good
by the appeal to class action and the
promise of plunder.
Teach the principles upon which our
government was founded and which
are to-day the basis Of our Constitu-
tion and laws: teach Us to under
stand and uphold these principles
teach is to apply them and not 70
destroy them in our seeking after
governmental perfection and ther.
viii not be room for an anarchis. from
Maine to California.
The basis of successful democratic
government Is understanding plus
loyalty and patriotism. You cant
force man to love his country. Va
fought Germany to crush the idss q
people subdued and governed BY
force. Have we lost our visions C.n
we no longer see tho wisdom Of our
own principles?
II radical shouts tAat the world
IS all wrong, just step n and loudly,
Clearly and simply tell the other
side. Tell it in earnest sincerity. No
big talk. No threats. Just frank ex-
planation, with the inspiration OF con-
viction and of truth. And as preven-
uon is worth more than cure, get
there first and talk before the trouble
maker arrives. All this :s education!
Physical force doesn't convince. II
challenges. 1t arouses opposition
Even If 1t We're right it wouldn't be
useful for the purpose. Our people
are healthy minded, loyal and true to
America. A certain amount os discor
tent and questioning is good thing
But answer the questions Tell the
workers what they want 20 know.
Don't let the anarchis. be the only one
TO offer an answer.
Ny chief source Of information on
this subject, which you arc at liberty
20 consult, Mr.. Edison, is the results
OF the work OF the Immigrant Publica-
uon Society of this city This society is
publishing books of practical help 20
our immigrants. and books ito inter
pret America TO the imm mgrant and the
immigrant to America" The response Of
slstance and 10 the Interpretation o.
American principles of liberty ano
government is often so inspiring thai
we Americans feel our own under
standing and love Of country refreshed
and quickencd by their deeper spprs-
citation.
Every time a story comes TO Us Of
the gratitude and vital understanding
Of our troublesome aliens who have
been reading the books we wish ws
could tell the whole nation about IL, 80
that all the people could see what cau
be done by little friendly help ard
advice toward giving Us loyal citizens.
where forcing them into citizenship
could only give us dangerous ny
phenated pretenses
HORTENSE LEVI.
Brooklyn. Dec Is, 1919.