SCOTLAND FOR EVER.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2752, 22 April 1916, Page 2

SCOTLAND FOR EVER.

Sir,—"These are the times- that try men's souls." I am amazed and disgusted,. and" full of righteous indignation at the apathy of my countrymen in New Zealand. I am a Scot first a Britisher noxt, and a law-abiding- citizen of any country I sojourn in. 1 am in touch with all classcs of tlio Comi monwealth from the keystone to the rubble, and, although' the haphazard efforts of benevolent democracy have ray interest and sympathy, I am forced to admit that the present so-called democrats are humbugs, lacking the spirit of their forefathers, and sadly deficient in wisdom. It is apparent to the most superficial observer and shallow thinker

that the men at home and abroad who are worth their salt are the aristocracy, gentry, and commoners of ancient descent. They have given their best in men, money, and material for our country, our children, and our King. • Given without 'stint, their only regijet that they cannot do more, l'rom the Highlands and islands of Scotland they mustered to answer the call of the pibroch. Kitchener did not need to send the licry cross nor the whip of conscription lor thorn. -No; like .their forefathers, they answered the call of the King. I do not know the part of Scotland that bred tho Otago-Scots, nor tho class of people they .belong to; but it is quite evident that they are of a mixed stock, . who have degenerated through full and plenty. They are too well-to-do, too canny to fight, or pay othors to figlit for them. Luxury and indulgence are rotting their bonos and sapping their manhood. Ignorance is the root of all evil. The mass of the common peoplo ara very ignorant. ' There is no excuse, our working men's clubs and literary institutes, our free libraries, debating clubs, and kindred associations, and, most important of all, our free Press, giving many\ viows of thought and much practical information, provide the means for self and brotherly instruct tion. 'lalk with the average "man in tho street"; he is ignorant of history— from the past we know the future. His horizon is limit-ed by the amount of money lie can make in business or oho amount of wages he can force from his employer for a limited quantity os work in a limited time. Like the citizens of the dying Roman Republic, ha rives only for hiuiself and the passing moment. Ask him what he is doing to securo the freedom of his children -to tho third and fourth generation. Hs looks, surprised. Ask him who gained • for him the freedom he enjoys, he lookr .blank. ,Ask him if'- he knows he is <( fool to himself, a traitor to his trust, and a helper of the Hun, he is amused, and tells his brother fools that you have a "rat." One is apt to get inrf pationt with such folly when we knotf what is at stake. Like 'causes produco like effects, • Solomon remarked 3 few thousands years ago. It applied with equal force to-day. I. have a SO4 at the front. If I had seventy sons, they would go; and if I were not over tho odds in tho matter of age, I would be there, too. Havo wo got to forcq men to. defend themselves?" . Thtf thought is shameful. The disgrace o{ it ; the stirig of tho lasih ,of reproach that we, free-born. • need to be forced to fight. Are the' New Zealand Scots sneaking behind-the red ras' of 'international socialism? behind the white sheet of conscientious objectors and other peculiar people, who "are as sounding brass or a tmkf ling cymbal"? Are they afraid ,01 disease or death? . They are liable to that at any moment in times of peace* Are thoy 'afraid "they will get niirtft No; they are not afraid of these bogies. They are afraid to' give up house' comi forts, beer, billiards, cards, the dance t the "movies,"' and tho racecourse. Come a' .th' gitlier and do your bit. If you die, 'dio. with honour, and sing to Death .the immortal words'of your na«; tional poet, Burns:— i\ "Thou strikes'/ the dull peasant, r ' He sinks in'tho dark,* Nor saves eyen the breath of a name; V ' Thou; strikes the young hero a gloriouf .. ■mark/ ' . '. • ■ ■ Ho dies in the'blaze of his fame. ■ On the field of proud honour, -Our .sword in our hand, Our King and our country to save; "While victory shines .on life's last •' ' e'bbing sand, Oh! r ho would not die with th{ : brave?" . . —I am, etc., ' JAOHIN. . '