Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-06-27
The individual
By
Ruth Taylor


believes. The beliefs of total
itarian regimes are clear to
all. They believe in the sane
tity and supremacy Of the
state and the complete subsur-
vience of the individual. He
is but a pawn. His work, his
religion, his home, his chill
dren are directly under the
control of his master the state,
and its self appointed rulers.
He may read, listen to and say
only what they wish, Even his
beliefs are regulated and
regimented.
The direct antithesis OF this
are the beliefs of democracy,
based as they are upon the
sanctity of the individual. The
state is but the composite con-
victions of its citizens. He is
no paWn-but a free man,
considered capable and intelli-
gent enough to govern himself
with due regard to the rights
of others. His laws are the
traffic rules determined upon
by himself and his fellows as
the most convenient way to
give freedom to all by cooper
alton for the common good.
RIGHTS
He may work where and
when he will-provided that
work harms no one nor so af-
fects him that he becomes a
charge upon the state. If he
doesn't like job or a locality,
he is free TO get up and leave.
He may worship in his own
way-freely and with only
his own conscience to deter
mine his beliefs. His faith is
not for the State TO dictate. 1t
is between himself and God.
His home is inviolate, pro-
tected from even the State it.
self by the Bill of Rights. His
children, provided they are
cared for and educated, are his
to guide and cherish, not to be
taken from him, as long as he
fulfills his duty of fatherhood.
He may read what he
wishes, listen freely and speak
his mind openly and according
to his convictions without fear
or favor of the State. And
that State will protect him
even when he speaks in dis
agreement with 1t.
In democracy the indi-
vidual Is a man, ready to
stand up and be counted as
one. Under a totalitarian
regime, by whatever name IL
calls itself, be it Nazi, Fascist
or Communist, he is a slave.
Let those who wish to be
free men, therefore, consider
what they believe-and let
them stand up at all times for
the democracy which, imper-
feet though il may be, still
proclaims the sanctity of the
individual and gives him free
dom to live and TO pass on a
greater measure Of freedom
to each succeeding generation.
The Republican Congress
sional record this year In
passing legislation demanded
by big business and suffocat-
ing everything demanded by
labor is almost matched by the
actions Of many state legisla-
lures. The Illinois Senate last
week set a new high for sheer
craftsmanship. 1t cut $40.
100000 from a $4,000, 900
appropriation for emergency
housing asked by Gov, Green.
Then 1t approved a bill pro-
hibiting stray cats from prowI-
ing In alleys. From now on
cats can't go into alleys but
veterans and others can live
in them,
President Edward B. vii.
cox Of the American Insti-
tute of Accountants, last week
came out in favor of labor
unions having their accounts
audited. Without pointing out
to Mr.. Wilcox that the vast
majority OF unions not only
have their accounts audited
but also make them public,
someone should ask him why
the Ford Motor Co. and other
concerns NEVER - year in
and year out -- disclose their
profits or announce their di.
vidends.
y X
Associated Press last week
reported the story of a Rus
sian Communist who possesses
the strongest memory in the
world. 'Shereschevsky can
accurately quote anything he
was told 10 or IL years ago"
the account said. They ought
to send that guy over here in a
hurry. We have Communists
in the United States who
can't remember that one day
there were picketing the White
House with placards saying
THE Yanks Are Not Com
Ing" and almost before you