Imperial Valley press., 1940-09-16
AMERICAS FAILURE
IN the PAST YEAR

Lawrence in United States News)
More than year has passed since the
present war began. Leaders of belliger-
ent countries have reviewed the dramatic
events of this extraordinary twelve
month. 1t seems fitting that America
review her course in the same period.
Is our record of the last year something
of which we can honestly be proud? Have
we given to the world an example of de-
mocracy and rpublicanism that is in
keeping with the finest traditions we
know? What have we done to preserve
and restore liberty in the world?
To answer, it is necessary for us to
be honest with ourselves, to throw off our
assumed Self-righteouSneSS and the pSeu-
do-patriotiSm which argues that every
thing our government does is right be-
cause it is done in time of emergency.
In the immediate past-the year since
the war began again in Europe-we have
Theoretically occupied a neutral position.
Whatever ambiguity attaches to the word
neutrality at a time when the neutrali-
ty of Holland and Belgium has been at
tackled by an aggresSOr state, the fact
remains that our status of nOn-belliger
ency or even sympathy with Britain does
not entitle us to suspend our work for
the cause of democracy in the world.
That work consists of holding aoft the
torch of liberty at home and abroad 1t
means casting out of high places the sell
fishness and distorted concepts of public
duty which arise out of overweening
ambition and the quest for personal pow
er.
For more than year now our govern
ment . has famed the fires of hate
within our borders. 1t has not aroused
us to the greatest crusade of all times
the fight to preserve liberty for our fell
low man. 1t has focused our thoughts
and minds on the Hitlers and Mussolinis
as if they alone represented the reasons
for the defeats administered the demOc-
racies abroad, or for our own slothful
processes of building adequate defense.
Mr. Roosevelt knew more than any
other man in America about the crisis
that was coming in the world. He failed
in 1887 and 1888 to arouse America to
defense preparations. The excuse given
is that the Republicans were opposed to
it or that it would have been an unpopu-
lar move. But of what Importance is it
that the President should concern him
self about popularity? He had nothing
to lose by asserting an aggressive leader
ship year or more ago, nothing perhaps
except third term in 1910. Yet he would
ultimately have been supported by pow
erful public opinion.
There can be no excuse for the dishon-
est propaganda now flowing from gov
ernment circles, using a maze of figures
and data about contracts 'scleared" and
planes ION order" to make the people
believe that all is going well with the de-
fense program. We must get rid of these
tendencies to pervert the truth for politi-
cal effect. They are the very things that
sapped the vitality of France and nearly
caught the British people off guard.
Can the morale of nation overnight be
changed from one of class warfare and
cleavages brought on by selfish politi-
clans? When, the other day, Mr.. Willkie
renounced the support of preachers of
race hatred, did Mr.. Roosevelt renounce
any of the support of the corrupt pOliti-
cal machines through whom he is willing
to accept electoral votes?
Whether in domestic or world affairs
America must mobilize the moral forces
of mankind. Human beings everywhere
would like to hear a still small voice
coming from America preaching good will
holding the torch of liberty high above the
bombs and engines of death.