THE PEOPLE'S FORUM
THE PEOPLE'S FORUM The Pledge Dear Sirs: I have just read Milton Mayer's account of his adventure in Pomona in the January Progressive. He says that he "could not, as a good American, compel...
...Mayer interview...
...I ask him why, when he was asked to pledge allegiance to the flag, shouldn't he have leaped up and said, "Why, of course," and invited everybody there to join him...
...Perhaps he will have another chance in 1956, and, like Lincoln, who failed once and then went on to win, will be successful then...
...It is a group of pacifist veterans of World Wars I or II as well as the Korean War...
...F. E. Spicer Abilene, Kans...
...I ask, why should any sensible American object to pledging allegiance to the flag, and sit and defy the righteous desire of other Americans to express their loyalty...
...Stephen Tonsor Urbana, 111...
...Most veterans have had enough of war and are looking for an approach to man's problems that they can trust...
...Upton Sinclair Monrovia, Calif...
...Eisenhower in the elections last November...
...Veterans Against War Dear Sirs: Few know better than the veteran the brutality and the futility of war...
...Dear Sirs: Mr...
...Mayer, and it would appear that Mr...
...The importance of having this man, who understands the basic issues of a changing Asia, in India, the country which must determine some method (democratic or Stalinistic) for solving its problems within the next five years, cannot be over-stressed...
...An incidental point is my belief that loyalty is not expressed by public pledges of it...
...We welcome as associate members others who have had some experience under a military school—e.g., ROTC, the Reserves, the National Guard, military school, etc...
...It is the very thin disguise of the evil one...
...Mayer's Mastery Dear Sirs: Milton Mayer's December article, "We Europeans," is the best written, most comprehensive analysis of American foreign policy and its results that I have read in any publication...
...The Progressive did right in supporting Stevenson...
...Sinclair misses the point...
...if I were disloyal to an institution, I should not hesitate to take a public pledge of loyalty to it, the better to divert its loyal adherents from suspicion of my disloyalty...
...Veterans Against War Souderton, Pa...
...Milton Mayer Carmel, Calif...
...Disregarding completely the usual varnished, clumsily defensive "apologia" style of the great majority of our observers, Mr...
...Even to Western Europeans the Russian threat is only a vague if disturbing shadow...
...Keep Bowles Dear Sirs: I urge all Progressive readers who are interested in the high caliber of work performed by Chester Bowles in India to write our new President requesting Bowles be reappointed as ambassador...
...Mayer is fond of presenting the views of neutralists and pacifists, neglecting a great body of opinion which does not conform to his prejudiced views...
...I have had an opportunity to see this side of European public opinion through letters which have been mailed from the Western sector of Berlin by East Germans...
...How many students from Eastern European nations now studying at Western European universities did Mr...
...I have had the privilege of speaking to a good many studying in Swiss universities...
...Those interested in learning more about the VAW, its purpose, organization, and program should write the undersigned...
...This article should be required reading for every person who has the responsibility of shaping our foreign policy...
...Peace and Reds Dear Sirs: I wish to support the position taken by Robert J. Havighurst in his letter in the January issue of The Progressive as regards the Vienna Peace Congress...
...But according to his own story he wasn't compelled, and the others weren't compelled, and they were all allowed to say their say...
...Both old parties have become weary, stale, and ineffective...
...Eugene E. Grant Cambridge, Mass...
...Weary Old Parties Dear Sirs: A governor on an engine holds back on excessive speed...
...Mayer wouldn't have had all that dreadful fear he tells about...
...P. India Mayer Prejudiced Dear Sirs: I have just finished reading the nasty little quisling article entitled "We Europeans," by Milton Mayer in the December, 1952, issue of The Progressive...
...Frank R. Keller Acting Sec'y-Treas...
...He has seen the waste and the undemocratic methods of the military...
...The idea now rapidly gaining followers that all peace movements are backed by Communists, and therefore must be shunned by all "good" people is pernicious nonsense...
...The violence and bloodshed of war have given birth to hate, bitterness, and misery— conditions on which Fascism and Communism thrived...
...Most of your readers will be gratified to know that a national organization has been formed called Veterans Against War...
...It cooperates in the concert of power produced...
...They are not given over to neutralism but are pleas for rescue before they surrender to the crushing burden of Communist tyranny...
...Neutralism is a potent force to be sure...
...S. Navy (retired) Rapidan, Va...
...This, it seems to me, should be the dutiful function of those who did not support Gen...
...He says that he "could not, as a good American, compel others to take it" [the pledge of allegiance to the flag...
...A good many Europeans cannot recognize him but those who have spent some time in his Eastern European homeland have no difficulties of this sort...
...There are few if any neutrals, however, behind the Iron Curtain...
...It is quite true that there is a large body of neutralist sentiment in Western Europe...
...What is needed most urgently is a truly vigorous progressive party—like the La-Follette movement of 1924...
...My "say" was against compulsion and I said it by resisting compulsion...
...Then all would have been happy, and Mr...
...He has known the frustration of one who sought to contribute to his country and to human welfare only to find these dreams betrayed...
...I have been listening recently to the Voices of Europe series recorded by Mr...
...Mayer has written a sensitive interpretation of the European situation which conveys the inevitable feelings of the Europeans themselves...
...Charles S. Seely Lt...
...50 Franklin Ave...
...Com., II...
...It is, of course, true that many capitalists prefer war to peace because war is much more profitable for them than peace, but the great majority of the people in capitalistic countries, especially the young men who have to man the front line trenches, prefer peace to war...
...Robert H. Stoddard Woodstock School Landour Mussoorie, li...
Vol. 17 • February 1953 • No. 2
