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PAGE TWO
Responsibilities Of
American Youth
American Youth today face* great responsibilities.
Will we* in a few years to come, be able to meet these
responsibilities or will we be content to let our old, old,
grandparents run this, our government?
What are these responsibilities? One of our foremost
responsibilities is '‘keeping the peace”. I don’t believe
that this peace can be kept by merely training a large
Army and Navy or threatening to drop a Z-235 bomb
on our enemies. What, then, can keep the peace? There
are many factors involved, some of them known and
some of them unforeseen. Those we do know about
should be preached to the high heavens. It is admitted
that a large army might play an important part in this
future attempt to keep the peace. There are, however,
other factors equally as important.
One of these factors is our cooperation in world af
fairs. We cannot afford to become isolationists this time.
The late Wendell Wilkie realized this although he was
perhaps too advanced for this generation, but the ideas
he presented in One World conform with the ideas of
advanced political scientists. If we attempt to turn the
clock back a few years, we shall make a miserable failure
in our governmental theory.
Many people argue that a country as strong as Ameri
ca need not worry about other countries using an atomic
bomb against us. On what basis do they place their be
lief, or do they merely assume and hope that this peace,
not yet really won, will last?
The atomic bomb has done and will do a great deal
toward uniting the countries of the world. The scientists
realize this perhaps more than the political leaders, the
historians, the economists, and others. They know the ex
tent of its destructive and its constructive power. Recent
ly I heard a scientist who helped perfect the atomic bomb
state that the atomic bomb could "make or break” the
world.
It seems to me that its America’s job to set an example
for the rest of the world. This cannot be accomplished
by continual bickering here at home. Remember, the
layman in London or the social butterfly in Paris do not
base their opinions upon what some American doughboy
tells them. They judge from American newspaper head
lines or newscasts. If our headlines ring out with ”1200
workers walk out at plant”, or "Spodunk Mayor
Convicted for Embezzlement”, what will be their opin
ion? These things happen in other countries but Amer
ica is set up as an example to the rest of the world. When
America realizes her duties to this "one world” she will
be able to meet her responsibilities with ease.
One might argue that people do realize these respon
sibilities —yes some people do realize them, but the aver
age American probably forgets his duties to the state,
much less to the world as one universe. Unlike any oth
er nations of the world this our government is a govern
ment of the people—we are a democratic people. Des
pite this, how many people take advantage of the fact
that democracy reigns in America? Most Americans
haven’t learned that it is their privilege to vote —to have
a say in their government. Perhaps lam too lenient in
calling voting a privilege—it is a duty, a duty to the
State. Then can we blame Congress when the boat over
turns if we sit back in our easy chairs while legislation is
being acted upon in Congress that may affect us as liti
zens of both the state and of the world. Are not we to
blame —we the American people—if our boat in .world
affairs capsizes?
Another responsibility America faces is that of edu
cating her people in order that they may counsel wisely
regarding their government. This could be done in
schools to a great extent, yet many people leave school
before they are old enough to be taught the principles
of good citizenship. Many people receive advice, either
good or bad, from some person who doesn’t know how
government functions. Hence the uninformed person
might get a false opinion of this government. A remedy
for this sort of thing might be possible if we capitalize
on our inventions such as the radio and the newspaper.
Since a great percent of Americans own radios, an
nouncements promoting participation in government
might be effected. The newspapers could certainly play
an important part in educating American youth in du
ties of citizenship.
It will take a lot of understanding, cooperation, and
striving-to make our government an example to the rest
of the world. It is the duty of young Americans to keep
this peace and build a better nation for our posterity.
Think it over, West Georgians, we do grow up—the
time is now!
The West Georgian
WEST GEORGIAN STAFF MEMBERS:
Editor-in-Chief Patricia McCready
Associate Editors Martha Wilson, Oliver Lindsey
Feature Editors Bobbie Step, Ed Johnson
Circulation Manager Christine Eidson
Business Manager Jane Cole
Sports Editors Clarence Salmon, Billie Cheney
Faculty Advisor Miss Marie Campbell
REPORTERS: Margaret Martin, Parrie Rogers, Mable Smith,
Virginia Broks, Charlotte Pearson, Betty Jean Johnson, Barbara
Bishop, Matilda West, Ray Miller, Ottye Lee Munday, Jo Garner,
Louise Pennington, Martha Brown, and Marion Moon.
Published Monthly by the Students of West Georgia College,
Genola, Georgia. Printed by Frank T. Thomasson, Printers
and Publishers, Carrollton, Ga.
SI.OO Per Year Member
M |ubtrip° : of'Raf' CUsocided CoOefiiote Press
Universal Military Training Urged
(By Dr. Charles B. Clark)
The world has reached a stage at which peace must be maintained or
complete destruction of civilization will ensue. The modern weapons of
war, featuring the atomic bomb and all of its variations, many not yet de
vised, must never be allowed to wreak their havoc upon a helpless mass of
humanity. Sensible people agree on this. Yet, there is little agreement
upon how we should proceed. Our chief hope is the United Nations Or
ganization just recently set into being. It provides not only for peaceful
means of settling disputes but also for an international police force for
suppressing any recalcitrant nation.
Unfortunately, there is no assurance that the United Nations Organiza
tion will function successfully. Many believe it will follow its predecessor,
the League of Nations, to an inglorious end. And this could well be the
result, although every effort should be made by member nations to make it
function. But at the same time we must have other safeguards, ready to
be called into play should the UNO and its agencies fail. Maintaining
peace is worth every ounce of energy we can devote to it.
This writer believes that it is to the best interests of the United States
to adopt universal military training and to continue it until we know for
certain it is no longer necessary. Some feel it is already an obsolete plan,
pointing out as they do that the atomic bomb has completely revoluntioniz
ed modern warfare. They may be right and they may be wrong. The un
certainty is not worth gambling upon, however. Until we know that a
large number of men is unnecessary to prosecute the next war we should
have in addition to a voluntary professional army a large reserve of men
who have behind them a year of military training.
Those of us who believe this training is necessary believe so for one rea
son only—the protection of our peace; in other words, NATIONAL SE
CURITY. There are, of course, many benefits of a secondary or bypro
duct nature to be attained from military training, but with them we do noit
deal except insofar as they affect national security. To all true Americans
there is nothing secondary about national security. There are many who
try to shunt the question aside, even as Congress as a whole is doing at the
present time. But the millions who fought the late war, and millions of
others who contributed on the home front, do not neglect this all-important
matter. As late as October, seventy percent of those questioned in the gen
erally reliable Gallup Poll stated they favored a year of peacetime military
training for young men. Our military leaders, who know more about war
and weapons of war than any other group, are, with hardly an important
exception, solidly behind this proposal. They are not certain the atomic
bomb will lessen the need for large reserves of trained men. Perhaps they
are underestimating the atomic bomb and other new weapons which will be
ready. Perhaps they feel the world may possibly outlaw the use of atomic
energy for war purposes, somewhat after the manner in which poisonous
gas was outlawed in V7orld War II (so far as is known, charges made by
the Chinese that the Japanese used poisonous gas have not been substantiat
ed). But more likely, this group that knows most about war does not know
the shape of the next war and wants to play on the safe side.
Many outstanding world leaders, scientists, and other thoughtful people
assert that a war waged with atomic energy will not require a large number
of men. Thus they argue against universal military training, seeing no
need for it and forecasting danger to the American way of life in its ful
fillment. They fear a little discipline for their sons or their neighbor’s sons.
They talk of regimentation, of our country being turned into a militaristic
nation. They poke fun at the idea of training a man between the approxi
mate ages of 18-23 for a war that may come several years later, asserting
that all his training must be retaken and that new weapons must be master
ed. Because they are not familiar with military training they do not know
that certain phases of it —in fact the most important phases need to be
mastered but once. Any man who has had previous training will be ready
for use by his nation prior to an untrained man, regardless of bow much
he must learn over. It is known for instance that "Retreads” as they are
called in the Marine Corps, or men who have had previous training, were
often placed immediately into important jobs overseas as well as at home
bases while those of us new to the military were learning many fundamental
lessons that we shall never forget and never need training in again. But
those who scoff at universal training neglect to consider that military train
ing is not just saluting, close order drill, and infantry training. They do not
think of the men trained in many phases of war which will never change.
Who knows how many men even an atomic war will require? Just a tew
crews for planes that will carry the bombs? How about ground crews. And
others, whose job it would be to intercept enemy bombs, or who would man
the now unknown devices to combat them? Would not unlimited numbers
of trained people be needed to disperse and care for a hysterical popula
tion? Would not the enemy country be occupied eventually if the atomic
bombs had not ruined us completely and if we had not completely ruined
th Vm™t y *be added that our nation is still the home of millions who have
never properly understood what America’s place in the world must be. We
still have many isolationists and America Firsters (who were more the dupes
of the enemy than they even now realize) who now operate under another
cloak. This time they attempt to clothe their opposition to effective prepa
ration for whatever may come by the simple statement that the atomic
bomb has changed everything. They are not to be confused with the sin-
THE WEST GEORGIAN
Campus Spotlight
PATRICIA ANN McCREADY
Editor of West Georgian, Zeta Sigma Pi, Alpha
Psi, and Democratic Youth Society.
"Watcha’ got there, Mr. Stork?” Mr. Stork
replied by leaving to Mr. and Mrs. F. E. McCrea
dy a bubbling personality in the form of "Pat” in
Oswego, Illinois a couple of days after Christmas
in ’25. Twice before that, the stork had dropped
his load at the McCready household and twice af
terwards. Now, her four brothers must be proud
of Sister Patricia Ann, who at present, signs out
home and heads Decatur way.
"Pat” graduated in ’42 from Avondale High
School where she had made an enviable record in
debating. She made somebody a grand secretary
for a couple of years and then fate sent her to us.
She plays a wicked clarinet, too, which made for
getting her places with a concert orchestra in At
lanta. So now, we say superfluously, that she
loves music, adding to her likes, butter beans,
cheese, and fig newtons —(figgy pudding special
ty)-
"Dislikes? I don’t dislike anything—’cept young
ladies who go out of the realms of naturalness to
to impress young men, turnips, and boys who
whistle,” she answered.
Should anybody want to live up to Pat’s expec
tations of her "dream man” —characteristics thus
—Tali, brown wavy hair, intelligent, very witty
and full of surprises.
We’ll be listening for your clarinet in the new
band, "Pat”, and rootin’ for you in general!
DORIS EVELYN McKINNEY
President of Adamson Hall, President of B.S.
U., Vice President of V.R.A., Choir and Officers’
Club.
"Mr. and Mrs. W. A. McKinney of this section
are trying desperately to locate their new-born
daughter, Doris Evelyn, who was first seen on
January 18 and last seen the same day directing
Lincoln Hi’ School choir at the Municipal audi
torium,” read the Lincoln Daily Herald of Janu
ary 19, 1927. Six years later found the Bowman
News Tribune with this to say "Found —in the
McKinney home—born leader for the first grade
class.”
"Dee” McKinney’s intelligent popularity and
leadership ability brought her through Bowman
High School, graduated her as Salutatorian in ’44
and put her over with a bang at West Georgia.
Her music burns the brightest light in her life
and two outstanding features in her curriculum
are her two roommates. If you really wanted to
please her, you could think of a way to put all
Bowman people into a congealed salad and serve
as breakfast in bed. (Our way of telling you she
likes congealed salad, Bowmannites and breakfast
in bed.)
That woman just coils up at dirty shoes and
shrimp, but she loves to cook and I’ve heard she s
good, if you boys would like to sight an objective.
But she requires a tall man with black hair, blue
eyes —music loving, intelligent, Baptist preacher
—preferably.
Other than being a Mrs., she wants to be the
leader of a high school band and choir.
Lead on, lead on, Oh Doris McKinney.
cere and learned men who believe this after much intel
ligent thought. They are the coat-tail riders who have
never contributed one good effort toward maintaining
peace. Their favorite pastime is denouncing as militar
ists and war-mongers those who speak of force to main
tain peace. The late President Roosevelt was one of their
chief targets at a time when almost alone he foresaw
what the Nazis were planning. Let these name-callers
look around. This writer believes that the people who
know and therefore hate war the most —those who have
erperienced it first-hand in particular—are the ones most
anxious to take every step that might conceivably safe
guard against another war. Military training is gener
ally denounced by those who have never been close to it
or know nothing about it except that they cannot bear
to think of enduring it, by those who pay too much at
tention to the almost unheard of cases of mistreatment
of men in the service, or by those who believe in no dis
cipline at any time or any place. Their voice is too
loud. Beware of them. Our national security is \ ar
more important. Let us adopt Universal Military Train
ing to better protect our and the world’s future.
no longer necessary for this purpose, then abolis
and then only.
TUESDAY, NOV., 27, 19 f 5