The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-23
Catholic Thought And Opinion
By REV. JOSEPH F. DoNNELLY

guidance were drawn up, and men of high integrity and intelligence were appointed sS e supreme body to interpret the rules enacted.
 When the will of the Congress guides the Chief Executive, and the will of the people guides the Con- gress, then the people rule. "Our American way" of government was to leave no room for an omnlpo- tent ruler with the divine right of kings" and no place for c govern ing body not responsible to the will of the people. Tn their new land there was to be c new free- dom; the people were to rule.
 YOUR RIGHT TO WRITE
 These considerations, ordinarily opportune, are of tremendous im- portance in the present and un. precedented crisis in America. To- day the question is peace or war. Nay more, while the Issue at pres. ent is choice of peace or war, ti1ls time the choice involves more than only peace and war but 1t holds a threat of change in the foundation of Americas economic, political and social structure.
 What will 1t be? Who will de- eide 1t? Who will make the choice2 In the plans of the fathers of America, which we must always guard as c sacred trust, the right of that choice was given to the people. If the people want peace, they must have peace. If the peo- pie judge war necessary for the pro- tection and welfare of their country, the nation should 90 to war. But the people must decide. Tn Ger many and in Russia one man and his cohorts may decide. That Is not the American way.
 MIsINFoRMED?
 Repeated national surveys have shown the people overwhelmingly opposed to war. Are the people mis- informed7 If they are ynisinformed the American way is to correct their error. Are the people ignorant of the facts2 If they do not know all the facts thu the American way de- mands that they be given all the facts. It is fatal to the unity of people to strive to arouse war emo- ton when the people find no ap- preciable basis for judging war necessary. Furthermore 1t is dis. honest and an abuse of trust to de- liberately inch the people to . post. ton where the liberty and rational. ity of their choice is destroyed.
 But perhaps the people are not misinformed. Perhaps they have enough of the facts. Perhaps in spite of the battering of propaganda they still retain their good sense. Let them show the American people that even supreme sacrifices are neces- sary to preserve the America they love, and as nowhere else In the world they will rise like giants to make the offering.
 FRIEND OR ENEMY
 IS OUR ALLY?
 Months ago we remarked that win, lose or draw Mfr. Hitler and MT. Stalin would again sit around the table as allies. Stranger ImpoSsi- ble2 We find the editor of the Sign giving forceful expression to the same possibility.
 There is a very practical cons!d- eration which advocates of aid to Soviet Russia should take into con- sideration. Stalin seems to be with Us today, but what of tomorrow? Hitler and stalin were enemies, then friends, and now enemies again. If Stalln sees that he can't win will he make an agreement with Hitler and become his 0auleitOr for Russia2 Tn that case, will the planes and munitions we have given the Reds be used, perhaps in co-opera- ton with the Japanese, against the British and against ourselves? It might never happen-but then again 1t might"
 THE GREATEST DROP
 The U. s. Office of Education has announced that this year there are 2l0,000 less children in the elemen- tary schools than there were last year. This Is the greatest drop ever in our American school population. The cause7 These decreases" the education office said, "are due to the low birth rate from 1880 to i03s." And the real cause7 The unpatrio- tic and immoral work of the birth preventionists. The decrease means schools closed and the unempioy- ment of 5000 teachers. But far worse 1t proves the alarming pro- gress of our national suicide.
 The figures made public this year bring the total decrease in enroll- ment in our schools during the past decade to almost two million. If the present decrease in the birth rate continues all birth will be con. trolled out of existence by le6i. The discredit for this major disaster and threat to the welfare of our country may be placed with Mrs. Sanger and her crusaders who are now using the name of patriotism and defense to further their immoral teachings.
 France has learned her lesson but too late.