The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1940-11-21

When the Dies committee first
started its probing activities the vast
majority of the American public took
its reports very lightly. The public
was not alarmed at the findings or
warnings of this Committee.
In the past few days when three
powder plants in widely separated
sections suffer serious explosions at
almost the identical moment one can
hardly avoid the suspicion of sabot-
age.
The fact becomes more apparent
every day hat our airplane a d
munitions plants are literally infest-
ed with persons in sympathy with
countries now at war.
In Mississippi and in the south we
do not think of the problem as ac-
ute because we have very few for
eigners and very few people who
would be inclined to sympathize with
anything other than Americanism.
Almost one hundred percent of our
people were born here and their faith
ers and grandfathers before them.
We do not stand for or tolerate for
eign isms.
In the thickly populated industrial
sections Of the east it is altogether
different. A large percentage of the
population is foreign born and per
haps only one or two generations
away from q foreign citizenship. 1t
is natural that they will still retain
in their hearts some feeling for their
Netherlands. This misplaced loyalty
takes strange form in many in
stances.
What we in America must do is
guard against those persons who are
in sympathy with foreign govern
ments and would try to change our
form Of government or ever seek its
downfall. Those persons are not Am
orleans. This is a land of liberty
where every person has the right to
life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness. Freedom, however, is not
license to undermine the government
that guarantees to all freedom Of
worship, freedom Of speech and n
free press.
Wild-eyed radicals who would
cause our American system to be
replaced with a system of their own
should be dealt with strongly when
they are fund.
A concerted effort should be made
to seek out those persons in posi-
ton to eimpede the progress OF our
armament program and put them in
a place where they can do no harm.
If they are not American citizens
they have no business here and should
be deported. If they are American
citizens and are guilty of sabotage
or any other like crime they should
be dealt with like criminals.
The Federal government is max
ing the eastern coast and the e
coast armament centers is making the
identical mistake that Great Britain
made. We are placing in those large
cities a great deal of our potential
power. In the event Of an attack by
an enemy it would be too Easy to
cripple us industrially.
The National Defense Commission
and President Roosevelt would do
well to see that industry placed in
the hinterland. They would do we'll
to PLACE it in the south where can
be found available native white labor
loyal only to the American govern
ment.
The threat to our defense program
by foreigners in u coast and large
cities is not to be taken lightly. Ac-
ton should be taken now. After a
plant is blown to bits and possibly
thousands of good Americans meet
their death there is little need OF
trying to remedy the situation. Ac-
ton should be taken before another
catastrophe occurs.
Up at Blue Mountain College Sat
urday was celebrated the. ninetieth
birthday of Mother Berry, daughter
of the founder of the College, who
has devoted a lifetime to the train
ing of young women.
Her life was paid tribute to by a
personal letter from the President OF
the United States, by United States
Senator Pat Harrison who personal
ly addressed the Homecoming gath
ering, and by VINO who broadcast
the services so that those unable to
attend Homecoming could enjoy the
. program.
There are few persons who have
greater opportunities for service to
civilization than school teachers. On
our\schools and their teachers rests
the Responsibility Of moulding future
citizens. They must make up for de-
ficulties in home training. Many
times they must supplant church
training. The future OF the next
generation is determined largely by
the school teachers of today.