The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1940-12-19

n A E [
E Y
BY
Hazel Brannon

good natured people in the world.
There is no nation that responds to
the needy and unfortunate people
throughout the world any quicker or
with any more sincere sympathy than
do we Americans. Through our gen
erosity and impulsiveness we have
made many mistakes of judgment.
We are inclined to let our opinions
become hastily formed through sem
timent and feelings of the heart rath-
er than regarding situations and
people in an analytical and logical
manner
1t is better in times OF peace to be
too impulsive, generous and good
natured than to be decandent, tight
wads and grouches. But our impul-
sive nature is going to lead us into
real trouble if we do not apply the
light of cold reasoning pretty soon
in our attitude toward Great Bri-
tain.
There are at large today a large
number of well-meaning American
men and women who believe our
Apilu 10 SOiiiiilE W Oil Ciu VIC w
not at once go to the aid of Britain.
They honestly believe that we should
put our factories and men at work on
munitions and ornaments for Britain
alone at the expense of our own
defenses.
There are even a few that think
we should go so far as to declare
war on Germany and let the whole
world know that we are against the
Axis powers.
1t is our opinion that any true
American will put America first re-
~gardless Of their sympathy with
Britain and it's cause.
The first interest of America is
keeping out of war.
George Morris, Washington cor
respondent, says it has about reach
ed the point where an American con-
cerned solely with the welfare of
America is reluctant to say so for
fear of being misunderstood. He
says the average person in our coun-
try is afraid of being suspected Of
being an agent Of Hitler, Mussolini
or Stain.
In connection with this statement
Mr.. Morris says Cardinal O'Connell
in denouncing "propagandists for
war at home and certain expatriates
who are seeking to have American
become a sor tot tail-en of . foreign
empire" will tend to make other
Americans less afraid Of being mis-
understood when they say they want
this country kept al peace.
Mr.. Morris points out that the
Archbishop of a million Catholics in
800 parishes is not a person easily
intimidated and his patriotism is not
to be questioned.
We agree with Mr.. Morris when he
says it is an unfortunate situation
when American people, supposed to
possess freedom of speech, are a
fraid to express their true opinions
for fear of being taken for traitors.
We can imagine that situation exist
ing in the large population centers
of the country and it is truly re-
grettable.
This is no time to Cypress or
use retributive measures against
those who have courage enough to
express their real opinions. The
cause of democracy is not helped in
our own country when we sheer
down the opinions Of our %neighbors
and suspect them because they do
not agree with US.
Those r1rsons who are against
America entering this wal should
continue to let their voices be heard
loud and strong until the wal mon
gers are silenced.
We are steadfastly against Ameri-
can Intervention in this war any
further than we have already in
tervened. 1t is very well to aid Bril-
tain as much as possible, as much
as she is able to pay for, as long
as that help does not interfere with
out own defense program.
But we do not believe in turning
over the United States to the Great
Britain, to let it become as Cardinal
O'Connell expressed it, "the tail
end of the British empire"
We think America should be a
country for Americans, first, last and
always.
Helping Britain preserve her en-
pire is not promoting the case of
promulgating Democracy in America.
The appointment of Miss Minnie
Jordan as circuit clerk of Holmes
county by Governor Paul B. john
son is a most c~ommendable appoint
ment. Miss Minnie is in every respect
capable of filling the office which
she has served as chief deputy for
almost thirty years.
Always able, gracious and oblig-
ing, Miss Minnie has served everyone
in the county alike as they CHANGED
- - -