The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1942-07-23
"ONLY THOSE ARE FIT TO
LIVE WHO ARE NOT AFRAID
TO DIE"
General Douglas Macarthur

OC1ACI dl DOuSAQo
This is a condensation of a
speech delivered by General
Douglas Macarthur at the Com
mencement exercises, University
of Pittsburg, 1882. When Gen
eral Macarthur said these
things, ten years ago, his audi
ence did not recognize them as
prophecy. Today they are facts.
Few of us, today, believe that
we are not prepared for to-
morrow's possible calamltleS.
Our country is rich and re-
sourceful; our people are pro-
gressive and courageous. We IN
sist upon respect for our rights.
W. recognize fully the rights OF
others. In intercourse with tor
eign nations we stand for hon.
esty, fairness, friendship and
peace. Our nation has become
Strong and influential in world
affairs and it will become even
stronger. But we must not
think that industry, economy,
fairness or even loyalty to our
government guarantee US, for
ever, all the benefits which this
fortunate land affords. So long
as another nation, anywhere is
governed by motives not in &C
cord with ours, our country Is
in possible danger from attack.
We deeply believe in decency,
honor. and respect for every
man. Any nation which has this
belief is responsible for prepar-
ing itself to defend those things
against attack. For even though
a man be not inclined to guard
his own rights, common decency
requires him to guard the rights
of those who are weak and help
less. Those who preach by word
or deed, peace at any price,"
either do not have anything
worth defending or believe no
thing they have is worth de-
Tending. Such people deny their
responsibilities.
Looking back over the history
of the English speaking people,
we find that free government
has been acquired, protected,
and kept by them through
armed strength. From Magma
Charta to the present there is
little in our Institutions worth
having or worth perpetuating
which has not been defended for
us by armed men. Trade, wealth,
literature, and refinement, al
one, cannot defend a state, al
though they make it great. Pa
cific habits insure neither peace
nor immunity from national in
suit and agreSson. Any nation
that would preserve its tranquil
ity, its rights, it independence,
its self-respect, and its happi-
ness must at all times be pre-
pared to defend them.
The United States is pre-em-
inently a humane and conserv-
alive country. It is not justly
open to the charge of imperial
ism. Yet to Judge by the frantic
efforts of societies and organi-
nations to disarm us one would
fancy that Americans were the
INST brutal and belligerent peo-
pie in the world. Public opinion
in the United States is being
submitted to the propaganda of
pacifist societies. Their actlv7-
ties to prevent war would be
understandable were they am
ong certain well-armed nations
in Europe and Asia. The few in
ternational groups trying to
present the true facts about the
belligerent attitude of certain
peoples are overwhelmed by the
sentimentalist who befogs real
facts.
Pacif!sm is not the same as
love of peace. It is inactive, "a
refusal to protect. Pacifism is all
about us. It is in our theatres
and picture shows. It is in our
newspapers, magazines, and re-
views; in our pulpits and lecture
platforms; even in the schools
and colleges. 1t stands like a
mist before the clear thinking
of America. 1t appeals to the
worst passions of the discon-
tented, organizes the forces of
unrest, and undermineS the mo-
rale of our workers.