The Wilmington morning star., 1943-08-13
Beware Fascism

nation suddenly brought face to face with
a great war emergency without previous prep
aration, and by the nature of its people pre-
of RECOMMENDATION. There is no reason for sur
prise, therefore, that when the Japanese by
their unprovoked and dastardly attack at Pearl
Harbor sucked the United States into what
has actually become a world conflict the gov
ernment found it expedient and even neces-
dertake the direction and control of enterprises
directly associated with its war effort and
essential to the success thereof
Industries whose production had to be step
ped up and agriculture which had all but
begged down under foolish and costly restric-
tions needed prodding. And to some extent
the activities of the business community had
to undergo readjustments because of the heavy
rain on manpoWer for the armed services.
In the circumstances it was right that govern
ment should assume and exercise powers or
dinarily none of its concern, and for the most
part there could be no quarrel with its so
doing.
It is right to think that if government inter-
ference with private enterprise had been linn
tied to strictly necessary regulations, and the
argument and persuasion, the nations par
ticipation in the war and the situation at home
would have been vastly advantaged. Even
moderate bureaucracy would have found IA
or with the people, as an inescapable i'll
out of which some good could issue.
But as is too often the case when unaccus-
toned powers are bestowed upon ambitious
public stewards, usurped under pressure
the moderation with which RECOMMENDATION was
started until it reached stage of persecution
and the lives of Individual Americans came
under the harsh domination of bureaucrats
down by directives and orders. Persuasion
and argument superseded by threat and
punishment, so that now man may employ
his talent or initiative save only as the gov
ernment permits.
Possibly even this would be endurable if
we could be sure it is transient condition
that will pass with the return of peace. But
there is no such assurance. Instead there are
growing signs that the faScistic bureaucracy
which is rapidly setting up a totaltarian state
closely resembling that of Europe's dictator
countries is entrenching itself with the pur-
pose of increasing its power after hostilities
have ceased. 1t even appears that in fighting
la war we are but laying the foundation for
the fascism we are seeking to overthrow
abroad. There is definite threat that unless
the people force a return to constitutional
government by the constitutional means of
free election they will emerge from this war
without their cherished heritage; democracy
will be hollow sham.
Think for a moment what fascism would
mean in the United States. If it followed the
customary pattern. the right to worship ac-
cording to ones faith would be denied. Educa-
ton unfettered by dictation would become a
haunting memory. The press, already CALLED
by tightening fetters, would exist only under
sufference of government. Fair hearings in
court, trial by jury, free assembly would be
gone with the wind. The four freedoms we
are told are to be given to all the world would
be a mockery here.
All these things are all too likely to come
ito pass if we permit the final establishment
of the fascist dynasty toward which we are
heading.
-V-