The W. H. S. Debater: May, 1921 (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The W. H. S. Debater: May, 1921

Not very long ago, when our brave soldier boys crossed the Atlantic to serve their coun try's cause, the democracy of the world seemed to be in the balance. General Haig, the great British Commander, confessed to the belligerent nations, that his men stood with their backs to the wall. The American troops, untrained as they were, were summoned to the battle-fronts to help check the great advance of autocracy. It was the first time in the annals of history, that Americans ever fought on European soil.

The climax of the great struggle came at the second battle of the Marne. The tide turned in favor of the legions of democracy; revolts of the German people, tired of war, weakened the morale of the German army. The former great idol and god of the German people, fled into the territory of Holland; the armistice was signed, and there was peace once more.

Nearly all of the large nations of the world are now democracies; there are a few monarchies, but the common people practically control their respective government-s. Instead of wag ing wars to settle our disputes, why can't we settle them peaceably? If we do not believe in the might is right policy, I see no reasons why we should act on it.

In the days of feudalism, an influential man could enslave another, and even compel him to fight for him. If he had a misunderstanding with another man of the same rank, he could carry on the might is right policy, and com pel his vassals to fight for his selfish purposes, instead of settling the dispute himself.

We do not want a repetition of the past, we are living in the age of reason, and not in the age of serfdom, we should settle our disputes with reason, and not with the sword as our weapon.

Many great men believe we can prevent future wars only by organizing a League of Nations. President Woodrow Wilson is the originator of this idea, but I am sorry to say that he has met with practically uniform opposition; for many great politicians have thrown dust into eyes of the people, and led them into the belief that the League will endanger our liberty.

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