Page 97

TEACHING DEMOCRACY IN REVERSE            97
One of the main difficulties is the fact that our democracy
is confronted by a paradox which almost defies solution. Par
from facing or solving it, we have failed to notice it. And
those whom we wish to win to democratic principles see our
blindness and lose their respect for their would-be teachers.
We must sooner or later make up our minds whether democ-
racy can tolerate the spread of democracy-destroying doctrines,
and if not, how it can stop them and still remain democracy.
If what we are doing in Germany against Nazism is right,
then what we are doing here at home about Communism is
wrong. If we must stamp out Nazism there, we must stamp
out Communism here; if in the name of democracy and free-
dom of opinion we can tolerate dissemination of Communist
doctrine and treasonable Communist fifth column activities
here, we should treat Nazism with equal kindness over there.
For the one is just as bad as the other.