The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1920-04-16
~" JOURNAL
.RAPS HO1hEADS
Editorial Compares "Pro Ger
man" and Red" hysteria
and Demands Sanity.

College professors are supposed to |
b dis,nterested Observers of public |
affairs and when they maintain their |
detachment their observations are ex-
ceedingly valuable. There are times
when teachers ''slop over" and then
they are pathetic indeed. Proof that
there are men on the faculty of the
University of North Dakota who see
thru unprejudiced eyes is found in the
March number Of the School of Educa-
ton Record which is edited by Joseph
Kennedy, Dean Of the School of Edu-
cation. The leading article, entitled
Returning Sanity" discusses In able
fashion the hysteria about 'pro-Ger-
mans" and "reds". We are glad to
share this editorial with our readers:
During the last three or four years
theer has been constant display,
even in America, of the fierce and in
tolerant mind. Indeed, I am inclined
to think the display worse than in
many less democratic forms Of govern
ment. While the war was on this type
Of mind capitalized patriotism; and
since the war came to a practical
close, with the signing of the armts-
ice, it has been attempting to mOnop-
oaize and capitalize good citizenship.
1t Is refreshing to see that sanity
10 again returning. As rule school
men, and especially superintendents.
have kept their heads. They realise
that they are mediators In their COM
.munities, and they feel responsible
ity to maintain the harmony, the
unity, the solidarity Of their people.
But In many, II not In most, communi-
taes there have been those who have
attempted to monopolise patriotism.
To others this has often appeared to
Do for the purpose Of exalting them
selves or Of establishing themselves in
popular and public estimation. Such
people never hesitated to 60 hunting
for persons who were not loud enough
to suit them. Their patriotism found
expression in suspicion, insiauation.
accusation, and epithets. Even their
old friends were not secure from their
Intolerance.
Since the war closed the same kind
Of a mania has been spreading like
wfld-fire in regard to so-called REDS"
One would think that the whole coun-
try is full of them; just as in war
time, one might infer that the country
was full of pro-Germans or even of
German spies. The probability Is that
the percentage of pro-Germans in
America during the war and the per-
.centage of "Reds" since that time have
Been almost negligible factors. An in
famed social Imagination and the
fierce and intolerant spirit, which cut
loose for n time. exaggerated both Of
these elements out Of all proportion.
North Dakota-which, by the way, has
been characterized as "Red"-pro-
duced not n single one for trial or de-
portation, by the U. S. department Of
justice, In its recent raids. One can
not help thinking that those raids
themselves were to some extent the
expression Of intolerance as well as a
mistaken attempt to bid for social
and national favor. Prosecutors often
become prosecutors. The same type
Of person that was inclined to suspect
his neighbors Of being prot German"
has been, In a similar manner, inclined
to handy epithets and apply the term
"Red" to any man who disagrees with
him on ecoonlnics. sociology, or gov
eminent. The intolerant person Is the
same everywhere: my doxy is ortho.
doxy, and your doxy is heterodoxy.'
The Reds above who talk o. stand
Ing up the "Reds' below against q
barn door and shooting them ut sun.
rise without trial deserve as little
sympathy and are just as dangerous
to the happiness and welfare Of this
country as any class could possibly
be. They strike at the very founda.
ton Of English and American liberty
and law. If such persons and the
other real Reds, caught with the goods
tried, and convicted by jury of thell
peers, could all be corralled and de-
ported to the aisle Of Reds" and Their
If Holland could be induced to give
up the kaiser. in order to furnish q
king for both classes of Reds, the
world from without might enjoy Il fine
exhibition and realization Of the Kill
kenny-cat fable, in Irish folklore.
Happily We have passed the peal
and may now expect to see the tide
Of federation and of freedom of speech
and Of the press set In strongly toward
the status intended by our constitu
ton. which says: Congress shall
make no law abridging the freedom Of
speech or Of the press" In the Eng
Nsh parliament the bills emanatinf
from the fierce and intolerant type Of
mind were all speedily quieted; and Il
q to be hoped that our own congress.
will also put quietus on all bills o.
that kind.
It will be noticed that it Is the In
tolerant type Of mind that Away,
moves approvinsly toward alien ant
0oditi0n laws, toward censorship, ant
generally toward restricting everybod,
else. even In time Of peace. The In
tolerant mind will. no doubt, reac