The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-07-18
LET US JUSTIFY OUR FAITH IN
DEMOCRACY
By William Green

IA countries of the totaitarian type of govern
ment and those which provide liberty for individu-
al citizens. Daily we watch the horrors OF wars
wiping out human lives and blasting the material
structure of European civilization. Trained, per-
fectly equipped armies, cOordinated by radio COM
municatiOn and supplemented by alrplanes and
tanks, are wrecking structures and Wpng out gov
ernments created through centuries of develop
ment toward democracy. All of mans inventive
power was mobilized for lifeor-death struggle in
which totalitaranism pitted itself against de-
mOcratlc way of life
The widening base of the war brings it's issues
home to practically all parts of the world.
A little more than twenty years ago the United
States felt mpeled to take part in the struggle for
democratic institutions in Europe and we sent
our young men to the battleields of Europe. We
participated in the negotiations which drew up the
Treaty of Versailles containing provisions fol
building institutions and procedures of permanent
peace for all peoples. However, the will for world
democracy was not universal. There were those
who felt that force was the only effective agency
in working out their national destinies Some OF
the countries made genuine progress by moving
toward disarmament institutions, while others
taught their youth individual subordination to ser
vice of the nation, created relationships and accu
mulated munitions of war, at first secretly and
then openly, to carry on revolution against democ-
racy.
The events Of Europe, coming as they do with
terrific SuddenneSs and impact have reused Oui
nation to the ineScapable conclusion that the con
sequences Of this revolutionary struggle will not
be confined to Europe. If we believe in democracy
we must be prepared to defend it, While we alb
hor war and its destructive consequences, unless
we are prepared to maintain our own way of life
we shall find ourselves in the position of those
European countries that failed to heed warnings
In the immediate tasks that press upon oul
nation in the national defense program the Amer
lean Federation of Labor can now, as in the past
be relied upon to do it's full part. We realize that
the fate of our free labor movement is bound uI
with the fate of democracy and that we can de-
fend democracy only by proving It's capacity anC
effectiveness for defense well as honorable llV
ing.
We want to contribute from our ability and Oul
experience We understand the organization anC
mobilization of labor. War turns upon the
ability of nation to produce tools and the mechan
ical means for making war. We in the American
Federation Of Labor are the nations tool makers
and tool users We want to put our experience
with tools and the materials of production at th'
service of our country for the preservation Of ou
ideals Of freedom. AS citizens OF this democracy
and as workers we ask for partnership in this pro
gram Of national defense. We ask for representa-
ton through our unions that we may have a par
in national decisions on labor policies and stand
ards which we then can carry out locally through
our local unions. Mutual agreement on fundamen
tails is the first step for cooperation in production
We ask as our right this opportunity to hell
prove that democratic methods are the most e1
fcient and the most constructive, whether TO
peace or lOG Wai. DGllldl Oh representation Is uc
nial of the fundamental of democracy which w
would defend.
While our immediate concern is defense agans
threatened danger to our liberties, we must no
lose sight Of this important fact: If we would hav
democratic institutions within our national bound
aries we must supplement them with democrati
agencies in the international field. The task is
challenge to the sincerity of our faith in peace, t
our political capacity, and our conviction that a
peoples have a right to life, liberty and the pun
suit Of happiness.
Our defense production program dominates a
business activity. Private business looks to tn
federal government for direction. Under the Nat
onal Defense Act the administration has appointe
council of civilians charged with full responsible
ity for industrial mobilization AS mandatory pow
ers do not apply in the emergency situation, bu
would follow only from declaration Of war, tn
administration asked national industrial leader
tn undertake the ioh of mobilization upon a. has
T,o Army huildS ASko We y