THE POWER OF YOUR LETTER

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 12, 1 May 1955, Page 2

THE POWER OF YOUR LETTER

Public opinion is a mighty force. It has to be considered by statesmen and politicians, newspapers and municipalities, by radio and television, by the railroads and bus lines, and by many other corporations.

Once in a w’hile someone feels deeply or expresses himself privately al>out the conduct oi some public man or the acts of a corporation. Then he may say, But I guess that it doesn't make any difference what I think. That is where he is wrong. It makes much difference what any person in a tree nation thinks if he expresses himself at the right time, in the right way, to the right people.

A senator spoke of the “outside pressures” v.bich had influenced his vote on a certain measure. This press is legitimate, for these men arc the servants of the people. One Congressman complained that when a bill which involved a moral issue was before Congress he mignt get twenty letters urging a vote for what is right and 500 from selfish interests and their friends who seek profit for themselves at the cost of the people. This is only saying that as Jesus said, “the children of this world are wiser than the children of light.” A magazine refuses liquor advertising, a bus company forbids drinking by its drivers and conductors, a newspaper editor writes a useful editorial, the director of education or the principal of the teacher does a good thing, the politician makes a good speech or supports a good bill. Or any one of these may do or say exactly the wrong thing. If applications and blame are applied or expressed, the influence upon legislation and important decisions are great.

\\ hen an act of the legislator brings ten letters of protest, this is noted by him. If one hundred write their disapproval, he is impressed. If one thousand write him about the matter, he may feel that the very world is tumbling in on h.m, however large his majority at the last election. What to do, then? If you ...mot be the edit-r of a great newspaper, or the head of a corporat ; on, or the holder of important office, you can still do much to determine what these of vast influence will do if you write. This will take a little trouble, it will cost something for |K)stage. But this is good citizenship. It is a piece of usefulness, of Christian service. Why not write each week at least one letter? You might be surprised at some of the nice replies from some of the very human people who occupy conspicuous places. If your letter of protest or approval is only counted and is one of a hundred or one of a thousand, it still counts. Let us quit worrying about what we cannot do, but do what v ( can.— from “Grit”.