The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1943-04-29
Our w Wars

The first concern now of every true American is
is winning the war in which we are engaged. Moss GU.
zens are too realistic to vision an early peace yet 1eei IL
is not too early to be thinking OF the peace we mean 10
have at the end Of this coonflict.
Realizing the peace was lost at the conference table
in the First World War, we believe the man and woman
in the street should begin to decide what we want Tor
America after this war whether we want TO become
imperialistic, ,isoationist, or a police force whether
we want America to throw off the reins of bureaucracy
now strangling us into a socialistic regime OF govern
ment or whether we shall wage a fight at home for the
preservation of the principles upon which this country
was founded. tp
Hamilton Moses, president of the Arkansas Power
and Light Company, paints a picture of Sam Smith, aver
age citizen, L. S. A, and we believe his picture is pretty
true of millions of American men. We pass it on to you:
Sam Smith, average American, has two wars to win.
One is the war now being waged on the fighting
front, and he will win that. The other is the war for the
right peace. ! am not SO certain about victory Tor TINS
second war. The average man, Sam Smith, is anxious to
do his bit, but he doesn't know just what to 90. tie Is
waiting to be told.
Sam Smith can lust run his business like Washing
ton wants it run. He can quit complaining. He can boost
his government and his president. He can overlook petty
politics being played by various bureaus. This is Just one
of the penalties of democracy. Sam Smith can watch taxes
and expenditures. He can become vocal, tell Congress
what he expects and it will do it. No use to complain at
our congressman. They're earnest and patriotic and want
to do what he wants done.
Then after this Second World War is won-and it
will be-Sam mith-and there are 100 million OF them
in America-has got to fight the greatest war the
Christian centuries have even seen-the war for his
peace, the war for a peace worthwhile, the war to regain
democracy and his freedom.
Unless Sam Smith is a man of great faith and great
courage, America is going to win this war and lose the
peace, Insofar as I'm concerned the government can run
our business just as it pleases. Washington and Roosevelt
can tell us just what to do. Wen do it and like it. II
after the war is over and after our flag flies again unfet-
tered in the breeze, Washington will give us back the
right to make our own life in our own way.
Well surrender all our freedoms for the duration
if after the war bureaucracy will subside and they'll
not take away from our children the right to dream and
the right to climb their own little ladders in their own
ways and hitch their own little wagons to their own little
stars. n
Our nation will never be conquered from without. If
it is ever conquered it will be from within. We have not
yet suffered any sacrifice. Our boys on every battle front
are saying to America WELL stay over here and fight
this thing out to victory-however long it takes. But
don't keep us here 10 minutes longer than is necessary.
Let's win the first war, but let's be sure we also win the
second war and not lose the peace"
Sure, taxes are high, but I'd rather pay taxes to
Uncle Sam than tribute to some dictator. Sure, too many
roads lead to Washington. Sure, something new happens
every day. But I'd rather be shocked by Washington than
hooked by Hitler. Sure, democracy fumbles and bum
giles, but ours is the best government on earth. Ia
rather be the forgotten man Washington never heard
of than to become the forgotten manikin Hitler knows
all about.