Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-05-21
THE MENACE OF SOCIALISM.

Judge Joseph Burlington of Pittsburg
delivered a rousing speech on patriotism
Thursday night to the members OF the
Church Club of Delaware, He pointed
out tho menace of Socialism boring into
the body polite. and cited the record
of the smaller colleges which have
been free from the faint of this belief.
and which do not countenance the
teaching of any but orthodox socio-
logical and economic beliefs.
lie stated that the best breeding place
for socialism is in crowds In Nhe big
cities. and demonstrated that there are
no opportunities for 1t in the small COM
munities. This is natural. as the smaller
communities do not have TO face the
economic problems which stare the
worker in the face in larger cities.
We believe that the best way in which
to combat socialism Is to give a thor
ough understanding OF it's fallacics to
all students in all colleges. We do not
believe that anyone can successfully
fight something OF which he knows
nothing. In order to combat poison
gas. chemists studied poison gas. and
then made gas masks which would rem
der the wearer immune to gas attacks.
The same principle must be used in
combating fallacious political belief.
We cannot ignore 1t. We cannot pass
IL by. In order 10 show it up to doubt
ing Thomases who arc wohbling in their
beliefs. we must know ali about it. The
best way to combat socialism is not to
entirely ignore it in a college currieu-
lun--if we do that, the inquisitIve
student will learn about It from the
fountain head. We should provide
courses which would state all the claims
of socialism in its various forms. and
which would show up the theory. when
placed beside the fact of our present
form of government.
Judge Bunhgten's address was mas
teriy one. and we do not quibble with
it at all. We merely go further than
the Judge did. He does not approve of
Socialist professors--but we are certain
that he would welcome Democratic
or a Republican professor pointing out
the fallacies of Socialism to his students.
just as the judge did to his auditors. If
such is not done, some students viii
seek out Socialists and learn much
mischief from them.
The way to fight an enemy is not to
close your eyes. and strike out blindly.
The best manner is to keep your eyes
open. search out the vulnerable spots.
and hit to win. Some American colleges
are making grave mistakes when they
ignore Socialism in their economic and
sociological courses. The child who is
told not to look into certain room has
his curiosity aroused. Likewise. when
we tell a student that he must not even
think Of Socialism, he begins to wonder
what Socialism really is. We can keep
the inquisitive child from looking into
the forbidden room, but we cannot pre-
vent the inquisitive student from going
elsewhere and securing Socialist tracts.
and thereby reading only one side Of
the argument.
II we are to combat Socialism, we
must do more than denounce it roundly.
We must find its weak points, and point
them out. The principles of democracy
certainly can Withstand the test of be-
ing placed side by side with Socialism.
When we show student how foolish
Socialism is, his belief In a democratic
form OF government becomes stronger.
But when we refuse to show him, then
he goes and learns elsewhere--and some
times from the wrong kind Of teachers.
In order TO prevent the wholesale
spread of Socialism---and frankly, we
cannot join with those who see Boil
sheviki behind every lamp post-we
must attack the problem scientifically.
Words are good. but deeds are better.
We Americans have nothing to fear
from Socialism. so long as we indicate
its failacies to our youngsters.