The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-11-09
Thursday, November 9, 1883

Ito occur within the next eighteen
months! Must this occur-are we
so weak and lacking in unity of
purpose that we cannot avert such
an overwhelming catastrophe?
Statistics tells us that in Great
Britain alone two millions of men
have spent every years since the
signing of the Armistice on Nov. IL,
1913, in working to pay England's
Interest charges on her war debts;
and during that same fifteen-year
period the various nations of the
world have expended gross total
of fifty billions of dollars on arma-
ments and in preparation for an
other gigantic struggle. 1t is free
lly predicted that another conflict
such as that of 1917-1918 will bring
not only complete financial ruin and
desolation to the world, but it will
also mark the end of what we
recognize as Christian civilization.
Truly we are in need of a new phi
losophy!
Do you not agree with me that
what our country and its citizenry
need at this particular moment is
a mental sterilization as well as an
economic one? Are we not some
what confused because of a multi
tude of experiments suggested for
solving what is, after all, but a
simple mathematical problem-that
of regulating both our private and
public budgets in proportion to our
incomes. Can there be any definite,
worthwhile solution until we view
our perplexitieS in a more individ-
Iually sane manner, and look for
permanent relief within the scope
of our own activity rather than
from governmental assistance in
either funds or legislation-some
of which has the commendable and
altruistic purpose of taking from
the rich to give to the poor, but
which, in the last analysis, breaks
down the greatest of all American
principles individual initiative
and ownership?
I am trying to avoid any discus
sion of partisan governmental theo-
ries in presenting my review or
summary of existing mental be-
wilderment and economic condi-
tons, which, I again assert, are
due in general to acts of our citi-
zens as individuals, and solely with
in their control, and I trust that
no one among my listeners will
interpret my words in a manner
other than the spirit of helpful
citizenship which prompts their
utterance.
A certain Minnesota Congress
man, who likes to be known by
numbers rather than by name, in a
recent address in my home city,
declared with considerable emphasis
that President Roosevelt said to
him that che RoosevelD might be
the last president of the United
States" gravely question the
accuracy of that statement in so
far as it would present the presi-
dent in serious rather than joe
ular mood. i prefer to believe that
our president, with a constructive
American background, yet holds
fast to the faith and trust that
Nation such as ours, with its CEN
tury and a half of constructive
self-government, advanced to the
highest point yet attained by any
group of civilized people, is not to
deteriorate nor to be supplanted by
a dictatorship or Communistic
form of government.
How often have we read the time
worn prase che charged the can
mons mouth" as a description of
the extreme height of human brav-
cry. And yet sometimes I seriously
: question if this phrase is really
mathematical Of an element Of man.
kind best displayed under military
and not peace-time conditions.
With the accompanying cannon
ade, the martial music, the close
companionship of massed troops,
with the leaders cheering and call
ing for action, with the drums ring
ing and the bugles blowing, it is
not difficult it seems to me, for the
soldier to be carried away with the
thrill and excitement to a point
where all thought of personal dang
lannon's mouth
How different is the lonely sentry,
often far removed from his COM
rades, alone in the dark and silent
night, burdened with the thought
that upon his vigilance rests the
safety of his companions and his
country's cause. Perhaps under
these circumstances the bravery is
not so spectacular, but certainly it
is far more impressive those
who have experienced the sensa-
ton will testify.
And under peace-time environ
ment-and just as essential to the
preservation of this nation, we
must have the courageous men
and women who will stand boldly
lin the front ranks of the civic bat
tie, subjecting themselves to the
scorn and calumny of their fellow
citizens in order that sobriety, law
observance, proper morale, peace
and security be maintained, and the
community be led to new heights of
civic righteousness! Shall we not
say that these persons have demon
Istrated high type of human brav-
ery-even though there were no
literal 'cannon's mouth to be
chraged-
Would that I possessed an Alad-
din lamp so that I might summon
the magic gent and order at will
an army of Soldiers of Peace! Not
one million, nor five or ten million,
but an army of one hundred million
ca h irinor on