Page:Harris Dickson--The unpopular history of the United States.djvu/177

The Work of Warsmiths Obedience. Folks pick out the law they like and obey that. I'm telling them why I passed the Selective Draft so they'll understand it, so they'll like it, so they'll get behind it and push. You see it makes every fellow equal, treats 'em all just alike. The rich man and the poor man stand side by side, each of them doing a man's bit. That's good solid American doctrine; it goes way back to Magna Charta, and is the very idea we are fighting for. Not long ago a young French officer explained to me that universal military service is the very essence of democracy. The prince and the peasant rub shoulders in the ranks. The millionaire and the milkman perform the same duties. Wealth, power, political or social position — nothing can excuse the slacker. Each must serve his turn, each must do his bit. The very essence of democracy, yes; the prince comes to realize that the peasant lad is a pretty stalwart sort; while the milkman revises his prejudices concerning the millionaire, who endures every hardship and faces every peril without complaint. This [159]