Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1940-07-25
| Might Be
Wrong--BUT
by P. G. Stromberg

In the realm of human devel-
opments there is often a silver
lining in a cloud of catastrophe.
Sometimes it takes a generation
to realize the softening of the
blow but more often it is imme-
diately apparent. Such lining
is in our lack of preparedness
and in the sudden realization of
the danger to which our democ-
racy is exposed. Few will doubt
that as result of our RELAXATION
of insecurity there has been an
awakening of a spirit of patriot
ism not equaled in many years.
There is today more interest
in national and international
affairs manifested by the general
public than at any time within
the memory of those now living.
This interest carries with it a
study of democracy and desire
to learn more of its blessings.
It means that the more study one
gives it the more determined he
becomes to do all he can to
maintain it. 1t means that with
a greater and more comprehen-
sive understanding of our form
of government every Americans
desire to maintain it and protect
it becomes increasingly strong.
It means that the rank and file
of voters will give more thought
to issues and men than they will
to mere party labels. It means
the beginning of the swinging of
the pendulum back from the apa-
thetic, easy and matter-of-fact
acceptance of our democracy as
a thing to be taken for granted
toward a stern realization that
it is something real and worth
knowing and defending.
This awakening will cost US
billions in dollars but the end
will be worth many times the
cost if the patriotic fervor en-
gendered proves to the people of
the world that OUR DEMOC-
RACY RESTS ON THE DESIRE
OF 14O,OOO,OOO CITIZENS WHO
ARE DETERMINED TO MAIN
TAIN THE FREEDOM AND
LIBERTY 1T INSURES.
hope the awakeing we see
today will mean a house-cleaning
of all the many ISMS we have
tolerated for the past several
decades = particularly since the
World War days. hope to see
an aggressive effort to ascertain
and deport the apostles Of Boil
shevism, Fascism and any and
all other PHILOSOPHERS of govern
ment inimical to our interests.
It should be assumed that any
man or woman who wants to
supplant our democratic institu-
tions with some other form OF
government is not a patriotic
citizen and therefore is not en-
titled to enjoyment of the priv
ileges, individual liberties and
protection offered in America.
They should be herded in groups
and sent to the lands where the
government of their choice OPP
crates. We have a likely num-
Der of apostles of Bolshevlsm
who could practice their doc
trines in Siberia or some other
remote section of Russia.
Unless and until we are will
ing to take a firm stand for
democracy and interpret our
understanding of individual lib
erty to mean that there are some
"DON'TS" and "MUST NOTS,"
we will face continuance OF the
efforts to introduce sinister intiu-
ences in our educational and
official institutions. Tolerance is
noble virtue, but too often
apathy takes its place. The
greatest causes of the history OF
mankind were championed by
those who gave no quarter to
opposition. federation can be a
form of strategic retreat. Let
US have forever our freedom OF
speech, freedom of the press and
our individual freedom, but let
us limit criticisms to our own
internal affairs and not permit,
through a misinterpretation OF
tolerance, foreign doctrines to be
promoted within our borders.