Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1941-03-27
| Might Be.
Wrong--BUT.
by P. G. Stromberg:

by +. u. StrOmberg-
Of all the wasted energy spent
in discussing the position of
America in the war-torn world,
the most useless is the continu-
ing argument over the lend-lease
bill. l hesitate to indict nation
ally-lnown men of being cow
ardly or afraid or lacking that
quality which makes statesmen.
Still, when bordering the energy
with which some of our leaders
"squawk" over the lend-lease bill
after it has been overwhelming
ly adopted by our Government
and supported by a public opinion
50 solid as to make it almost
unanimous, one is forced to
wonder whether some un-compli-
mentary conclusion is not justi-
fed.
The time is gone for argu-
ment over the lend-lease bill. 1t
is our policy and = right or
wrong = it follows that it is the
duty and obligation of every
American to get behind that
policy. ! think it was former
Senator Moses who coined the
expression "the braying jack.
asses from the West" It is odd
that almost all of the stubborn
opposition to our program comes
from a group of Senators from
the Central and Western States.
It is unfortunate that this is
true because IN our wide and
varied sectional interests there
is no room for disagreement as
to national policy. We can only
hope that this unrelenting oppo-
sition does not reflect the opinion
of the people of those states and
that the state identity Of the few
Senator's is merely a coincidence.
To have had as full and COM
plete debate of the lend-lease bill
as was witnessed in both the
House and Senate should have
been sufficient to satisfy even
Senator Wheeler. With all the
prating about democratic institu-
tions I wonder if someone has
reminded these Orchards" that
the true democratic spirit is the
acceptance of a decision by the
majority? It's time that we
began thinking in unity and
acting in unity. In normal times
democratic processes demand
protection of the rights of mi
norities. But in times like the
present, vociferous minorities
must accept the majority decis-
ions in a spirit of true democracy
or else we shall see weakening
of our national front. Wendell
Willkie is good example of
true democratic patriot. If we
had more Wilkes we'd have
fewer strikes, less hatreds, less
delays and much more public
confidence in our defense produc-
tion.
We have reached that stage in
the war situation where we must
go forward resolutely with no
weakening handicaps. We can
not do other than throw every
ounce of our material and moral
support to Great Britain. Con-
ditions are far from normal. The
normal right of the citizen
therefore has to be sacrificed for
the national good. The war will
end some day = God grant that
day be not far off - and, if we
steer our course carefully and
well, we shall be in a position
to return to our normal way Of
doing things. But if we don't
steer our course carefully and
well it is easily possible that
well never be able to return to
our cherished way of living.
I believe it's time to draw in
the national belt and demand full
speed ahead for our defense
efforts and aid to Britain. The
rank and file Of citizens who will
ultimately foot the bill, both in
money and sacrifices, will well
come a taboo on strikes and
destructive criticism. Criticism
directed toward increased eff
cheney, no matter how severe,
ought 70 be welcomed, but the