Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1920-06-24

there could be no poverty In the so
cialistic state If communism succeeded
in stimulating men to work harder,
thus greatly increasing production, be-
cause there would be more to eat, more
to wear, more to use, and as the dis
tribution would be controlled by the
state, all of the people would receive
an equal share Of the great abundance.
all would have enough. For the sake
of fairness to them, l am cOnceding
that the distribution program would
be honestly and justly carried out, but
a better distribution. a more equal and
Just division would mean nothing II
the first, the fundamental promise OF
bolshevism-greater productions not
fulfilled Any plan which decreases
production causes shortage OF the
things necessary to life If the boil
sheviks are wrong in their belief that
communism will increase production,
then bolshevism would make poverty
general, universal, and instead of boil
shevism curing the cancer on the body
Of civilization, it would make the en-
tire body of civilization a cancer.
If the claims Of bolshevism are well
founded, sound in common sense, cap
able Of fulfillment, communism would
be the greatest blessing ever conferred
upon humanity. On the other hand.
If the bolsheviks are wrong. and COM
munism took from them the induce
ment to work, then Notwithstanding
the good intentions Of the bolsheviks,
their communism would be the great
est scourge the world has known. This
is the simple issue in the case. Ii boil
shevism is the good thing its advo-
Gates say 1t is, it will bring the mil
lennium, and every human being
should be in favor Of it; but If 1t is
not practical and will not work out,
then 1t is danger, the red flag Is Its
proper signal, and the world should
avoid the danger signal as an engineer
charged with the safety Of human life
would avoid running by red light
on the track ahead.
Examine Before condemnlng.
Going back to the case Of our friend,
the doctor who honestly and sincerely
believes he has cure for cancer, let
us consider what the scientific world
would demand before offering a judg-
ment as to the value Of his proposed
cure. First. they would free their
minds Of all prejudice. They would
4. ond nof{Qnf thpV
would be thorough in examining the
proposed remedy from every possible
angle. They would analyze the formu-
la. examine 1t In the light Of expert
ence. Why shouldn't we follow the
same sensible plan in considering boil
shevism7 Won't we get farther II we
| do? Hasn't such a course an adyant-
age over quarreling about 1t? Why
should some Of us accept 1t without
knowing what 1t is? Why should
Others condemn it without under
| standing? And why should both these
groups get excited and irritated. call
each other names, learn to hate, and
1 add to the worlds unrest?
| propose to follow the method OF
the scientist as nearly as can in ex-
aiming the patient, Russia, the world
cancer, poverty. and the remedy
| bolshevism.
| l.. "A complete family history, 80
/ that we may know and understand
the constitution Of the patient.
q The physical and mental condi'
tion OF the patient at the time treat
ment was begun.
8. The formula-the remedy.
| /. The theory Of the cure.
S. The methods used In applying the