Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-16
THE "hAMLEr COMPLEX"

THE "hAMLEr COMPLEX"
The leaders Ia educational thought,
college presidents or heads OF pri-
mary departments, are well within
thsir rights and obligations IN seek.
Ing what to do in the face OF the va
sfous isms with which the world is
aflicted, in some instances perhaps.
q growing pains" However, by
reason of the prerogatives of leader
ship which they enjoy, as we'll as be-
cause their training should have en-
abied them to take judicious view
of such matters, they owe it to all
concerned to make sure their attitude
shall be well grounded.
1t has not seemed to us that the
organization of people to fight the
Ku Klux, for instance. especially at
this time when the factions of that
order are fighting over its treasury,
and in view of the temporal nature
inherent in such violent upheavals Is
wise. 1t has seemed to us more than
likely such antagonism would serve
for the time at least to solidify that
which already is suffering disinte-
grafton in the light of common sense.
Be that as it may, and the determin-
alton of that will be in process of
events rather than through what any
of US may prophesy. a certain inter-
est attaches to these views which are
put forth, and among them is one
which attracts attention in some de-
gree by reason of its unique title:
"Hamlet Complex" That is what DR..
James E. Tough, professor of psy-
chology at New York University de-
clares the members of the Ku Klux
to be suffering from.
Realizing, perhaps-not all college
professors do-that the man in the
street is not as conversant with the
sayings Of Hamlet as are professors,
he explains that Hamlet was con-
WINGED that the burden Of setting the
world straight rested on his shoulders.
"The time is out of joint. Oh! cursed
spite, that ever l was born to set it
right" The professor concludes we
all have Somewhat of this though
most of us have concentrated on
some pet aversion"
Next he considers the second gen.
eral principle Of human nature, a
universal demand for excitement and
the few opportunities for this in ru-
raj communities where the activities
of the Khan are largely confined.
Then, third, there is the reaction of
all men to anything that is mysteri-
Gus and exclusive" How we'll this
was understood by those who put the
Khan into being.
1.-THE fourth human trait" contin-
ues the professor, lis the fact that in
each Of US there goes on constant
struggle between impulses urging to
action ard inhibitions or conserva-
tive tendencies which restrain from
action" And he might have added
that the pendulum swings from one
extreme to another "The ku klux
Khan is ultra impulsive. Imagination,
prejudice and hatred supplant judg-
ment and reason. Impatient at the
laws delay. scandalized by the i'm
munity enjoyed by any prominent
law breakers, unable" Cor thinking
they are) ito obtain the enactment or
enforcement Of laws against acts
firmly believed to be injurious to the
welfare Of the state the, Ku Klux
Khan impulsively proceeds to set up
q super-state.'
He concludes that We must accept
the proposition that the members are
pressed by ridicule; that it is easier
to reform the crusader than to re-
form the martyr; that it must be in
sisted that the Khan shall come out
into the open; that its rights to mys-
tic rituals and reEalia should be
recognized, but not its right to wear
cowardly masks, We assume, though
the learned professor does not say
this, leaving it to inference where he
does say: every violation Of law
must be ruthlessly punished, and any
attempt of any organization to set ur
a government Of it's own must be
branded. not as un-American, but al
treason"
We wonder how many of the mem
bsrs Of the Khan feel at liberty under
their oaths to do this branding;
could they do SO without prejudice n
free born, outstanding American citi.
Gems, able to look their responsible.
ties in the face-without . mask Il
conceal their identity2