Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-23
Washington and Communism.

Students of the character and Serv-
ices of George Washington are much
given to speculations upon how he
would have acted, as Chief Executive
Of the Nation, in modern circumstances.
What would have been his attitude to-
ward the tariff, toward immigration,
toward trusts, toward direct Govern
ment aid to the people in emergencies?
How would he have behaved, in short,
If he were President today?
There are certain clues to the an
swers to such questions, provided by
Washington's spoken and written words,
his speeches in public and his letters
in private as well as official CORE
spondenee. 1t is clear enough from
such research into his mental proc
esses and his reasoning that he would
have comported himself in modern cir
cumstances precisely as he did in his
own time and environment, as a be-
lever in democratic government, an
clements" firm advocate of making
America sufficient for its own main
tenance.
Just at this time there is one question
that greatly concerns many Americans,
that of the effort to subvert the Gov
eminent to Communism, after the Rus
sian pattern. Small as the numbers of
the believers in this form of national
organization may be in the United
States, their activities are nevertheless
pernicious and their example is infec-
tious. There are tokens too plain to be
mistaken and too sinister to be ignored
Of the spread Of this noxious influence
in this country.
George Washington would have been
one Of the first TO stamp upon this SER
pent. He would have been one of the
most determined opponents of Com
muniSm in America. That he would
have refused recognition to any foreign
government based upon communistic
principles such as those that form the
fundamentals of the Russian state is
not to be doubted. That he would have
urged the enactment Of laws to prohibit
subversive activities in this country on
the part Of agents of such a foreign
government is clear from even the most
casual reading of the records of his acts
and thoughts.
1t Is meet, therefore, that upon this
day when the birth of George Wash
ington Is ofhc1ally observed, attention
should be paid to this question. Can
there be any doubt of the duty of the
Government that has succeeded, in the
course Of 9 century and a third, to that
which was headed by the First Presi-
dent, to prevent the spread of the evil
doctrines Of Communism, to check the
crafty wiles Of the commissars at Mos
COW who are trying to break down the
governing systems Of all other states by
competitive trading with slave-pro-
duced goods?
The sense Of security that arises from
count Of Communists in the United
States Is dangerous. 1t is true that ap-
parently the red influence has failed in
the present economic crisis in this
country to break down the loyalty of
the people TO their chosen and accept
ed form Of government. But there is
no permanent guarantee in such an
escape. Enthusiastically the ranks of the
agitators and subYerters have been re-
cruited during these months of nom
employment, Of privation and suffering.
There will be other crises and other
opportunities for the agents CT Com
muniSt Russia, If it survives, to attack
again, with perhaps more success.
George Washington would have been
FIRST In defense, as we'll as in peace, in
var and in the hearts of his country
men.