THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 43, 14 November 1940, Page 8

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Comments — Reflections "All true men are soldiers in the same army, to do battle against the same enemy—the empire of darkness and wrong.”—Ca rly le. "Definitely is a long word, it lias four syllables, it makes a, good mouthful for those who would be unimpressed if they knew that, the famous first 18 verses of the St. John’s Gospel have only -10 words of more than one syllable out of more than 300.”—Manchester Guardian.”

"Yet, after the general subjugation of Europe, should there ever exist an independent historian to record the awful events that produced this universal calamity, let that historian have to say, “Great Britain fell, and with her fell all the best securities for the charities of human life, for the power and honour, the fame, the glory, and the liberties not only of herself but of the whole civilized world.” —Sheridan (1751-1816).

“Most men are so.occupied with the factitious cares of life that its finer fruits cannot be plucked by them. To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, but so to love wisdom as to live a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity and trust. It is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically. What is the nature of the luxury which enervates and destroys nations? Are we sure that there is none of it in our own lives?”—Henry David Thoreau, American philosopher.

“The greatest need of Britain at this moment is one which we (the United States) are able to supply physically, but not legally. The law still prevents our letting the British navy defend itself, and us, with destroyers which we have, and can spare. There are about 140 of these “overage” destroj’ers. We should amend the law so that Britain can have half of them at least. Her losses in destroyers* have been heavy. These vessels are her best insurance against invasion by sea and the inroads of the submarine.”—Robert E. Sherwood in “The Reader’s Digest.”

"The Nazis have forced many German families in Germany itself to migrate to conquered Polish cities. By seizing homes from their Polish owners and making the incoming Germans pay for them, the Reich adds to its war chest. The wife of a Polish professor, to whom the Gestapo had given half an hour’s notice to leave her apartment, went back the next morning to pick up her- children’s clothing. Timidly, she explained to the German woman who opened the door what she wanted. ‘Everything here belongs to me,’ the woman told her. ‘We paid for it in Berlin.’ ‘I did not get any money,’ the professor’s wife quietly said. The German woman started to cry. ‘We didn’t know,’ she said. ‘Come in. Take what you need.’ ” —Virgilia Sapieha in “The New Yorker.”

For seventy-three years the Dominion of Canada has lived secure and independent. Her greatest problems have been of a domestic nature. Protected from the threats and shocks of international struggle and strife by the might of Britain’s navy, and the potential military strength of the United States, Canada has pursued her way little appreciative of the possible menace to her freedom and system of government. It had been customary for Canadians to boast of their liberties, their vast forests, fisheries, water powers and indi.tries. Now it is realized that the natural wealth we brag about is an appealing lure to the nations which have pinned their faith in brute force, and that Canada is one of the greatest prizes that tlie world can offer. —“Calgary Hern Id.”

We scarcely realized until a few weeks ago the dangers of the situation, but now the light is dawning upon us. I am glad to observe that it is being widely recognized, that we in India are not immune from dangers as we had imagined ourselves to bo: If Hitler succeeds there will be an end of alt hopes for democracy, freedom and self-government in India. So this is not the time that any one of us should talk, day in and day out, about the damage, fancied or real, which British Imperialism has done to India. This is not the time when we should be saying or doing things which can only tend to fan the flames of communal passion. The principle of safety first should dictate to us the wisdom and expediency of closing our ranks.—Sit Tej Bahadur Sapru.

"Freedom is not a gift; but a precious thing purchased, as it were, on a long instalment plan. Every hundred years or so a new payment has become due and Britain has had to pay. Even a slight knowledge of history will suffice to show the relentless regularity of these demands. Whether we like it or not, if we want to keep our heritage we must pay. Not only our young men and women, but all of us. We must, pay either in suffering or sacrifice, or in service. We cannot wave the bill aside with a siqierior gesture. We must tiol lull ourselves into the belief that if we ignore it, it will somehow pay itself. If we do not willingly pay with service we may be compelled to pay with our lives and our homes. Let us pay with service—not casual service giving what we can easily spare, but wholehearted service. Let us now begin to readjust, our private and professional lives so that there is a generous margin of time and energy to give to our country. Life won’t amount to much in this land of ours if our freedom is taken away trom us. Ixfl us. therefore make it plain to the world, by an overwhelming display ol service, that we regard the blessing- and responsibilities which Desliny has bestowed upon us us a trust w<- are determined lo keep.”—l''.(..-1.. in leuTest News.” The Vow. Should he land here, and for one hour prevail, There must no man go back to tell the tale: No man to bear it— Swear it! We swear it! Although we fought the banded world alone We swear to guard our own. —Tennyson (1552).