The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-03-19
WHICH WAY, AMERICANS?


Walter Lippman for the daily press:
Nothing can keep a nation free except
the conviction of its people that they would
rather die than be slaves
That was the conviction which enabled
the people of the American colonies to OBJ
tain their freedom and that conviction has
enabled this country to live and flourish for
more than $50 years. Devotion to this con-
vietion and the principles upon which it is
based, together with the power OF the ideals
it has established in American character,
has made this nation great, has made it IN
many things a model for. all the nations OF
the earth In addition the American social
system and American application of the
laws of economics, American industrial and
business policies, have all made major con-
tributionS to the progress and prosperity OF
a country which has astonished civilization
with its magnificent development.
And all the while, throughout its history,
the United States has been the foremost
nation of the world in its devotion to liberty,
in devotion to the principle that the highest,
best and greatest development of nation is
To be achieved through the highest and best
development of the character of the indivi-
dual, and this is only-to,be achieved through
the freedom of the individual and the I'M
trammelled and boundless opportunity for
achievement, progress and development Of
the Individual which has characterized
American life. ..
Today, with a large area Of the world
groggy, dazed and lettering from the
assaults which destructive forces are hurl-
ing against the free nations of the earth,
against individual liberty and inalienable
rights, against democratic forms of govern
ment, this nation is in the most secure posi-
ton, no doubt, of all the countries in the
world. 1t is in favorable geographical
position; and despite the beatings it has
taken in depression and recession and the
mistakes and failures which have ensued
from efforts to correct such conditions, this
country is still able to withstand some
severe jolts and overcome some unfavorable
experiences. No other country of the world
is so strong and so well able to meet the
crisis which faces civilization.
Nearly all the nations of the earth lack
the natural and financial resources which
the United States possesses in great abund-
ance. Otherwise, no doubt, the next world
war would have by this time been in full
blast. Lack of financial resources to wage
world war is believed by some astute OBJ
servers to be the chief reason for the halt
ing attitude Of certain countries which
want to start trouble and of countries which
would quickly oppose them with force were
their financial condition better.
In the midst of impending and danger
Gus world conditions, however the Ameri-
can nation will remain free if it's people
show the will to preserve their freedom. Ii
they have the conviction that they would
rather die than become the slaves of Com
munlsm, Fascism or some other alien ism,
they can preserve the freedom and the
country which; have been theirs throughout
the entire history Of the American nation.
Liberty loving citizens of this country,
who value the heritage handed down byI
their fathers, will write the words Cor sim
liar words) of Walter Eppman over their
dOor-posts and upon the. tablets of their
hearts
Nothing can keep nation free except
the conviction of its people that they would
rather die than be slaves"
Unless We misread the signs of the times
the day has come in which much more than
lip service must be given to this fundamen-
tai principle of freedom. 1t must be de
ciared as a fundamental principle, our peo-
pie must rally to it as such and must defend
It, no matter what the cost.