Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1918 — PHILOSOPHY OF WALT MASON [ARTICLE]

PHILOSOPHY OF WALT MASON

They tell us not to hate the Tout, but rather pity the galoot. And when this grisly war was young, some rhymes along that line I sprung; I said that hatred is a crime, and boomed a charity sublime. I fear I’m not so saintly now; I have no halo on my brow. There's so much evidence that Teuts are heartless and inhuman brutes who butcher children with their blades, and strike down dotards, wives and maids, that I can’t love them as I should, if I were really, truly good. I cannot say, “Their hearts are right, though like the cheapest sports they fight.’’ That was the line I took at first, ere I swore off on liverwurst; I said the poor chaps were misled, by Wilhelm, with his willow head, by all the military hordes who strut around with clanking swords. “The Tent himself,” I used to say, “is but a sentimental jay, who’s fond of music, art and song; and dreams mild dreams the whole day long.” Now, donnerblitzen and gee whiz, we’ve seen the Teuton as he is, the Visigoth of ancient time, come back to wade in lust and crime. I cannot bid my doubts depart, and take the ruffian to my heart. I hate him quite as much aS he, in his cheap way, is hating me. Perhaps I’ll see’ his points again when he gets done with slaying men, but now I loathe the bloody skate, so please excuse me while I hate.