Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-05-10
A. ]. BEVERIDGE
DIRECTS MINDS
TO RED DANGER
Asks Average American to
Give Thought to Questions
Raised by Radicals.
Special to The Times.

Times.
PERU, Ind, May 10.-Danger lies in
the fact that moderate persons think
chiefly Of trivial things while the radi-
Gals are thinking of the weightier matters
of life and government, Albert J. Bever-
idge declared in a speech under the aus
pieces of the Miami County Bar Associ
alton and business mems organizations
here last night.
"If the radicals really think while we
only scotland do even that in the VIC
Ience of irritated ignorance-can we hope
to prevail in the end ?''' he asked
what will those of our children who
happen to be OF thoughtful, inquiring
minds and independent spirit-quaIities
of which we boast as being character
istically American-what will they say
when they hear from one side alleged
facts and plausible argument and from
our side only denunciation and unin-
formed abuse? What will they say when
radicals give them at least food for
thought and We give them formulas
which We ourselves cannot even explain
What win happen, eventually, il only
the reds think and talk of institutions.
while we think and talk only of the
tawdry things described by this Ameri-
can leader of scholarship or, at lest,
OF the triiing politics of the day q?
What will the outcome be if we offer
no refutatiOn Of doctrines we believe to
be ruinous and diaboncal; and, instead,
answer unsound and wicked, yet intel
lectualIy challenging and therefore at
traetiye radical propaganda by nothing
better than angry vituperation?
Unless we wilfully deafen our ears to
the counsel Of history-unless we delib-
erately extinguish our common sense
unless we arrogantly deny the testimony
of our very instincts as to the sure re-
action of human nature itself-unIess We
do all these stupid and stOlid things we
know well what will happen.
What is why I, for one, am doing all
I can to awaken in the minds of all
citizens a living interest IN our funda-
mental ordinance and in that whole glo-
rious system of ideas and ideals called
American institutions. I would have the
average man and woman think and talk
of sound principles as much as the
so-caIled radicals think and talk Of
unsound principles. I would have Amer
lean parents able as well as willing 90
point out error to their children, ex-
pound truth and be equipped to do both
By citation Of historical fact and eco
nOmic verify I would have everybody OF
worth while, wholesome and upbuilding
activity is easy not hard. attractive not
repellant, brilliant not dull, thrilling not
tiresome.
I'm short. I want to do what l can
and all I can to help restore the Ameri
can state OF mind to that lofty and noble
height occupied by the founders and
builders Of the Republic height from
which they surveyed human life with
clear vision. without illusions and yet
with an infinite hope and a glorious
faith. their sense Of proportion accurate
and their judgment true. That is the
reason that I am Speaking to you to-
night Of the development OF the Ameri
can Consultation.
Let Us send to that splendid Amerf-
can whose letter inspired these remarks
no less splendid because he happens
to be learned and profound-let US send
to this superb though despairing patriot
news from the West for which he
says he hungers. And let that news be
the inspiring tidings that, however
sordid, trivial and reactionary may be
the general public in the East, here IN
the heart Of the Republic the average
citizen IS studying, thinkin and IN sEeFV-
way eQuipping himself and herself--to
maintain by facts and reasons the faith
of our fathers against all who assaiI
It."