The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-19
M. E.Tracy Says:

nNE need not be a particularly ShreWd
~ reader of signs to realize that civilization
is moving toward another epoch of puritansrn.
Two-thirds of the people in Europe already
have lost what we're regarded as essential rights
twenty years ago.
The book burning in Germany, the eX ca
thedra DEGREES of Mussolni, and the ruthless
suppression of critical or adverse opinions by
the Russian regime are but markers Of the
growing tendency.
The fact that economics instead of religion
provides the motive should not be taken by one
to promise less intolerance or bigotry. Arbi-
trary rule by small groups will result in the
same kind of oppression it always has.
We should gain little by swapping open Sun
DAYS for controlled industries, or the divine
right of kings for the divine right Of techno-
Gratis. Dictatorship is just as tyrannical by any
other name.
Love of physical comfort is persuading us
to follow new kind of witch doctor and accept
new kind of despotisn. A little more skep-
teal toward salvation in the hereafter, we have
grown to believe in its possibility on earth.
Having failed to make the world safe for de-
mocracy we propose to make it safe for every
one by abandoning democracy; at least some
people do.
THAT is how the Romans felt when they
l. made Augustus consul for ten years, and
the French when they made Napoleon consul
for life. There comes a time when people are
ready to throw away the privilege of self-gov-
eminent for the sake of a breathing spell, but
only to discover that despotism leads up the
same blind alley, no matter how it originated
or what purpose it pretendS to serve
People can not put themselves in the hands
of masters without becoming slaves. This thing
we call discipline invariably reaches a point
1t already has reached that point in several
countries.
If you don't believe it. go to Russia and begin
to argue that Communism is wrong and ought
to be overthrown, or to Germany and attack the
NaziS, or to Italy and denounce Mussolini
LaZiness is at the bottom of this new-found
faith in concentrated power. People want
security without effort ease without work. lib
erty without obligations. For the hundredth
time they are looking for some SYSTEM or
formula which will guarantee this blessed state.
For the hundredtn time, they are calling on
a few to do the job and imagining that it
will be well done, regardless of their own lack
of interest.
1T is quite true that countries have grown
too great for the old town meeting system,
but in practice rather than in principle. The
fact that 100000 people can not assemble
in one place to be counted does not mean that
the right to think and vote should be aban-
doned.
If that right is abandoned, as it has been
in many nations this world again viii feel the
shriveling effect of tyranny and oppression;
again will cry for release, and again seek free
dom through revolution.
We talk about individualiSm as though it
were something created by law. as though the
ego could be eliminated by statute. as though
the inner consciousness of man could be regu-
lated by gadgets. as though life were not an
eternal compromise between what we ought to
do together and what We must DO alone.