The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1951-02-16

grasp to capture the imagination of
many people by judicious ana pru-
dent leadership. 1t has been disap-
pointing to see him carrying the
ball on every measure to curtail civil
lierties, and all measures against the
general welfare. The hopes of a lot
of younger politicos have faded with
the passing days for the liberal leader
ship that never materialized
This fuss about getting ahold of
the records of the state selective
service, must have some purpose.
What? Can you see any reasonable
or logical accomplishment to be at
tanned by such steps? Do Mr.. O'Con-
nor and Mr.. Esp want to try and
ruin the regulations of men who by
reason of their beliefs are conscien-
tious DIRECTORS? Do they want to make
something sinister and diabolic out
of another mans thinking? Is man
who was C. o. in the last, war
or who would be one at the pres
ent time less capable or desirable as
a public servant than any other citi-
zen? 1t seems to me these things are
in the hands of the proper authori-
ties as they presently stand and to
turn them over to men whose pur-
poses are questionable would be
great inequity and injustice.
During the last war there were
more than 10000 cos in the United |
States. 1t is an accepted fact that
they did invaluable service for their
country in many ways. There were
more than 230 different religious
;ects represented. Among them Cath
olic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Hutterite,
etc.
During the presidential term of
J. S. Grant the Mennonites came to
his country and in an interview with
Irant asked guarantees against mill
airy service. President Grant said he
:ould make them no promises, but
hat it was unlikely that anyone in
America would ever be called upon
o serve in the army contrary to his
eligious convictions. President Grant
lid not foresee the America of the
id-twentieth century.
Russia used the same arguments
gainst these people that are being
dvanced in the halls of the Montana
,tate Legislature today. 1t was at
his time that President Grant recon-
1ended favorable land legislation in
is attempt to aid these people. Three
yestern states later passed legisla-
ion exempting Mennonites from mi
tia duty.
1t was from a land of oppression
hey came to America, the land of
he free The land of tie free, whose :
eople are fast picking UP the old
ricks of the oppressors. Z
1t is about time Americans stood
p on their hind legs and protested 9
nese un-American activities of men l
tho are yelling patriotism while they
re pulling everything sacred to our :
form of life down around 3,
ur ears. These activities are not
My un-American they are totali-
lrian, they are unprincipled. they
re tearing away the solid founda-
on of everything we hold dear. Be- I
des that these activities are an in S
lit to our common intelligence. c
A Montana newspaper editor last Z
eek wrote words that should be n
1graved on the minds of every citi- h
en- in this country when he said: p
"a congress or legislature can J."
pass laws to meet problems of the
day but thank God for constitu- :,
lions. They preserve the rights
IF men in dem ocracy."
Much has been said about the Bible
I'd much has been said about what
e think the other guy should be !,
ade to do but | want to be recorded :,
/ the side of the Angels. q =
There is no Christianity and there =:
no democracy in the attitude of the =
lvocates of any of these "anti" bills. - =
Or the sake of two men of small :.
inority in the state of Montana, i,
hose ultimate fate will rest in the -
lnds of the national government
nom and hate have been churned
i'd time that could have been spent IL
)ing something constructive has III