Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-11-27
RAT PSYCHOLOGY

SENS 30 nave obscssed nouceaole
ruinb.r Of the members OF the human
race in / countries and all walks OF
INC. ;-ndcysronnd methods, the foul
in. Of that which cannot he carried
avay. the stealth an! cunning resort
ca 9 are characteristic which are
extensively .i no, alarminsly preva-
ltr.
Il would appear from what one
learns from tradition and history
tia; IN the DAYS vhcn there was OPP
pr, sslun and an excuse cXistcd TOT
secret methods. even then men
rlori.d more In open defiance Of the
things to which they were opposed
than they do now wncn through the
ncdium OF unparalleled publicity
there is opportunity tor all rightly to
get their opinions before the pubic
for consideration
This contagion was not brought
tack by those who underwent trench
warfare. No more outspoken. up
standing citizens have we than those.
Even the Fascist of italy have gone
about their revolution In frank II
arrogant fashion. Perhaps we may
conclude their experiences with the
rats was not conducive to approval OF
the rat psychology.
No, these arc not the offenders,
and a little thought should. explain
Why this ought not to be expected.
The rat psychology must be accom-
ranied by or originate in mental or
Ylysical cowardice, IN recognition OF
on inferiority which would conceal
itself from the light
In this country there come to mind
tie methods OF the I. w. w. among
those supposed to be of the lower
strata OF society. and later the
kuKlux methods among those sup
POSED 70 be Of a higher strata which
WON'T not tolerate the methods of the
I. W. W. but would resort to meth
eds fully as despicable.
Across the water there is the de-
rlorable condition of affairs in Ire
land: the secret methods of political
assassination in Germany, the gov
crnmontal methods used in Russia.
all lacking constructive force and in
sane with a mania for destruction.
Secret societies for years have
seemed to meet a need of many OF
tho human race and it has been
demonstrated that some of these
have accomplished great good and
kept in harmony with our institu-
tons. They have been constructive.
They have recognized and upheld the
rights Of others under the law.
In recent address before a Ma
-yvn'c mass meeting Secretary of the
Navy DENLY said: THE glory of
Masonry is liberty--liberty to be and
always remain an American free
man." its obligations teinS only those
of good citizenship right living and
fraternal aid.
Ho added:
Much has been said in the papers
OF late about the recrudescence of
certain forms of secret organizations,
apparently designed to supersede law
and enforce their will. Nothing more
dangerous to the continued mental
and spiritual health of the republic
could well he conceived than such
societies. The fundamental law of
what we term law abiding coun-
try is. and must be. obedience to
law. When any community or body
ct mon or women within a commun-
i.y disregard the orderly processes of
the law. blow is struck ct the roots
Of tho republic.
oppression does not always take
the form of enforced labor, or any
ot the acts, security from which we
are guaranteed in the first ten
amc ndmcnts to the Constitution, the
so called bill of rights Religious
freedom is the most sacred possess
, sion of free peoples. Yet If we are to
believe the tales told with such SEEM
, Ing. truth and so frequently. religious
freedom itself is menaced in certain
Iarts of this country.
1T seems that organized attacks
are mad upon individuals because
Of their religious faith. 1t is hard
enough to meet the reelities of this
life and to compose our earthly diff
frrences without attempting to make
var in the realm OF the spirit. or to
cherish against our neighbor evil
thoughts because he may think diff
ferentiy from us about the world to
come.
ut Is q curious fact that in spite
II thousands Of years Of experience
still religious prejudices are the
easiest to play upon. and religious
auarrels the most bitter. Perhaps 1t
Is because we have not faithfully
striven TO live according to the one
great rule Of conduct summed up in
the phrase. do unto others as YOU
would have them do unto you which,
in some form or other. is found in
most religions OF the world. but which
has become enmeshed in . tangle Of
doctrines and dogmas. Of rites and
cbscrvances, so that II too frequently
happens that we zealously cherish the
form and disregard the substance Of
cur faith"
''Here is an opportunity for what we
would term rat psychology, q chance