Milford chronicle., 1922-01-06
UNCLE TED'S
BEDTIME STORIES
A LITTLE LESSON IN APPRECIATION
OF coUNTRY-THE PENALTY
THAT COMES FROM LACK
OF 1T.

Perhaps you are right" said Jack ir
answer to Ruth who had said that she
was glad Eugene Debs was out of prison
"Of course I'd never argue with you and
1 say perhaps you're right but as for Eu-
gene Debs, in my estimation he'd better
be back in prison where he belongs"
I'D hate to have you as a judge over
me in court" said Uncle Ted as he join
ed the family circle. Just what are you
kiddies discussing this timer"
You see," answered Jack, Il was say
ing that it was a shame that Debs was
let out of prison before his term was up
and1 also said that he wasn't any better
than any other criminal and Ruth said
! she was glad he was out. She doesn't
know anything about it. and admit I
don't know much so won't you tell us
about Debs and how he happens to be
out?"
Yes, kiddies, I will Call in Freddie,
too, because want you all to hear this.
Eugene Debs, first of ALL is a man of
brains and more than ordinary intelli-
gence. His speeches are gems of poetry.
He is a Socialist through and through.
He hates all men who represent so call
ed capital, and he hates war, although
he says there will always be war until
competition between nations is destroy
ed. He is sincere in his belief that the
world can be run on love, that all ma
tions can be brought together by bring
ing the people of each into a co-opera-
tive idea of running things. All for one
one for ALL Now, I'm not going to talk
about the Socialist party or socialism,
except where it is necessary in order to
tell you about Debs. He has been the
candidate of their party more times than
Bryan has been Democratic candidate
for the presidency. His ideas are ex-
treme but because of his unusual intel
lect and speaking ability he has carried
hundreds of thousands with him. That is
their privilege. This is a free country
but there is limit to all things.
when the United States entered the
Great War, there were a lot of mistakes
made. A lot of blunders were committed
and a lot of money was wasted But
one of the really good things that was
accomplished was the putting into effect
of the draft law. The war was upon us. |
There was no choice and it could not be /
stopped by talking. Therefore, all right !
minded, loyal citizens of this country got |
to work to help win
what did Debs do?" asked Jack.
"Debs did NOT help to win. Oh mol He
got busy and talked every chance he got
against the draft law trying to make it
unpopular and to make criminals out of
young men who might be called to serve
and who would dodge service in some
manner. It was for his disloyal utter
ances at a time when what he said gave
aid and comfort to the enemy that he
was tried and sent to prison for ten
years. He is out now after not quite
three years of that ten behind the bars
at Atlanta. believe he received a rea-
sonable degree of punishment for his
crime, and that nothing could have been
gained by keeping him longer behind
the bars. I think his release was all
right at this time, but I am glad his
citizenship will not be restored. No man
has any right to be called citizen and
hold the rights of citizen of the Unit
ed States of America who talks against
the government and it's methods in time
of war; Emma Goldman was of the
same type, only more radical She talk
ed herself out of the United States. She
was sent back to Russia where she said
she longed to go. Now she has had
enough of the present form of ideal
communist rule and wouldn't like any
thing better than to get back to the
United States But she can not come
back and she should not be allowed to
come back.
"Debs has been punished, but not more
than was due him. He should have
learned a lesson, but apparently he has
not His brilliant mind works in the
wrong direction. He is already talking
too much again. He stated when leav
ing prison that all the prisoners there
should be released. Who is he to pass 7
judgment on the many hundred within
those walls for many different crimes? In
Washington he tried to make a speech 7
to the crowd as he left the Union Sta
tion, where it is against the law to speak 4
without a permit.
Instead of proflting by his experience
it looks very much as though he would 7
use it to gain greater publicity for him
self. He has already accepted an invita- F
ton from the Bolshevists of Russia to
visit their country. In my estimation
is bad enough, but bolshevism f
is socialism with radicalism and all the
other isms' fastened to it and Debs A
seems TO De OrlILllS COWdFu 1suSSld anu
the worst it holds. He is a dangerous A
type because he is brilliant and has di-
-ected his brain along the wrong lines.
The ignorant are swayed by him. He does n
lot appreciate his country or he would CT
lirect his intellect and ability in the s.
light direction to help the country in m
jtead of tearing it down. His utterances
Is a socialist were bad enough in time 6
# war to land him in prison. Now that
le seems to be making friends with boil
hevist Russia it might be well to fur
lish him free transportation, so that A.
vhen he gets enough of Russia, as has he
emma Goldman, and wants ~ come A,
,ack to the United States. ne will real 80
ze that for not appreciating his country od
7hen here he will find himself exiled. 1t To
7ould be hard on Debs hut a fine lesson ~,
D those who look UP 20 him." st