Life, 1912-05-30 · page 28 of 44
Life — May 30, 1912 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents reader letters addressing contemporary political and social issues, not a cartoon. The first letter critiques American "discipline" and inequality, using the recent Titanic disaster (April 1912) as a reference point. The writer notes that while the wealthy survived and the poor died on the ship, similar class-based suffering exists on shore under the current economic system. The letter questions whether the status quo deserves defense and references socialist Eugene Debs and Progressive Theodore Roosevelt. The second letter attacks President William Howard Taft as a hypocrite, accusing him of pandering to Catholic interests while elected as a Unitarian. The writer expresses anti-Catholic sentiment common in early 20th-century American Protestantism, viewing Catholic influence in government and education as un-American threats to public schools and church-state separation. Both letters reflect 1912's heated debates over class inequality, progressive reform, and religious influence in American politics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
We Are Constantly in Receipt of Important Letters Which Are Too Long for Our Limited Space. “ Discipline” orto oF Live: For the past severa an interested reader of your cditorial concerning the loss of the Titanic and the doctrines of Debs and Roosevelt. Certainly the value of discipline was there displayed in its most admirable qualities, But I wonder if it is a fair comparison, that of the discipline of the sea likened to our legal discipline on shore? You ask who were drowned and answer the strong and the rich; you ask who were saved and answer the weak and defenseless. But on shore who are they who cat? Are they not the strong and the rich? And who are they who starve? Are they not the weak and defenscless? And isn't this sé under our present “ disci- pline"? I'll grant you that those who suffer most severely are the unfit, but why are so many unfit? Is our “dis- cipline” so admirable and eficient that we should not seek to better it? And whom shall we look to for leadership? To the man who docs profess to want to better conditions and lessen the handi- caps of this race of life, or shall we look to the man who quotes us constitutions and assures us that everything is as it should be? “Peace, peace, but there is no peace.” And, of course, “no consid- minutes I've been Brevity is Absolutely Essential to Publication able portion of our people consciously m to oppress the rest.” Of course not ; it is much nicer to do it unconsciously ; it saves the feelings. So we go to church to learn, among other things, that the poor we have always with us, and we give to charity according to our means, and then we resolutely refuse to do or think anything more save wonder why the masses are so restless and dissatis- fied with things. “Peace, peace, but there is no peace.” What we seem to need very badly is an answer to some questions. Has every man an equal privilege to be here on carth? Does what a man produces belong to him? Is every man entitled to a fair Start in the great race? And if the answers to these questions be “Yes,” then a final question, Does a nian get these things under our prevail- ing system? If not, why not change the system? Oh, that would never do! For, as Carlyle queried, “If the thing that were should cease to be, would not the solid world dissolve?” However, Live, long may you continue to prophesy unto us. Yours, Vicroxia, B.C.” May 3, 1912. Worse Than a Trimmer Eptror Lar: Deak Six: The comment of “J. L.,” headed by you, “Is Taft a Trimmer?” is timely and to the point. In my opinion Taft is not only a trimmer, but he is a hypocrite. As a Unitarian Taft was clected, but as a Catholic sycophant he is impossible, Taft and his managers certainly misgauge the spirit of the American people if they believe we will stand for Catholic dominance and inte ference in affairs of government. Pro estants are awakening rapidly to the si uation, and events of the past year are showing them that Catholicism means the destruction of time-honored princi- ples which made this country great, nota- bly the public school system and the divorce of church and state. The Cath- olic hicrarchy and its teachings are ¢s- sentially un-American, and no amount of so-called “tolerance” can ever change this inalterable fact. Here in Ilinois we have Catholicism at its worst. The Supreme Court de- cision taking from the public schools the reading of the Bible, even in a non- sectarian way, has emboldened the priests to threaten injunction proceed- ings against prayer and benediction at commencement exercises, and soi weak-kneed school boards yield. Now, how do you think Protestants in this State feel over Taft's action in rescind- ing Valentine’s order in the Indian school case? I have the opportunity to look over a large number of religious exchanges, and (Concluded on page 1127 Thank You, Boys Lire Puptisuixe Compaxy: GextieMen Enclosed you will find a photo giving you an idea as to a sailor's “life in the navy.” This was taken at Guayaquil, Ecuador. As: our duty down here is not of the best, we have added Lire to keep our spirits up, Wishing you success for the new year, Tam, Very respectfully, A.W. Wenn, Seaman U, S. Navy. U. S. S. Yorktown, Gvavaovit, Ecvavor. January 10, 1912. comicbooks.com