Where it Starts

1914

News rang through the streets that the war in Europe was escalating.

“We’re going to make sure they don’t make America a part of their mess,” Barner Callom declared.

“How do we do that?” Huey Morton asked.

“We go to the colleges and universities,” Callom answered. “We take out the professors and the presidents.”

“Take them out?” Morton made the sign of a gun with his thumb and forefinger.

“No. We can kill them intellectually. We gather enough of us up that are about free markets.”

“Yes, but how?”

“We write.”

“We write.”

“We deliver to newspapers around the country editorials. We issue our own pamphlets in the streets.”

“Why college professors and presidents?”

They’re the root of all evil that is currently going on in this world. Probably have been. The Philosopher Kings! They destroy any ship shot through any spine before a cannon or rifle is fired. Their ideas are what make everything so terrible.”

“I see. But how are we going to do this?”

“Are you listening, man? We’re going to use our intellect and continue our way of saying that the war isn’t the problem. A can be a solution. But before all that, even before the generals gather together, it’s always the so-called ‘thinkers’ who start wars. They provide the matches and the fuel. They may never strike one match themselves or pour gasoline over the place. But their mind is on fire for destruction.”

The two men walked out of the newspaper office into the streets. Horses and automobiles jostled through the streets of Willington, Delaware. Dodging cars, cats, and dogs, the duo kept it moving.

Their next stop was to Kent County to talk to a Colored convention. Well, Callom would speak. Morton was there to ensure that nothing soured the event.

Callom stood up to speak.

“Europe is currently engaged in a war that should never be a concern of ours. We must hit the schools. The war colleges are obviously the ones we should address but also civilian campuses. The irony is that most students are against the war, too. But those are for different reasons.” Applause and a few “preach, now” rose up from the crowd.

“I say to you today that it is the provosts and presidents and professors that pose the most threat to our lives. They want to tear down lives but they don’t realize their pens expel blood and the paper is broken flesh and bone. Our young men must be protected from the onslaught of the sickness that disrupts the body and poisons the mind.

“I’m going to leave you with this...this is an age where the Colored man might rise up through industry. He may even join that segregated armed forces. But he will not spill his blood in the forests or on the hills in France and Germany. The root of all this is our own initiative. We have the ability to totally avoid the carnage and suffering for Americans. That time is now. Thank you.”

Uproarious applause erupted through the audience. Morton poured Callom a glass of water. Callom sipped and then fielded questions.

“Yes, Mr. Callom, how do you suggest that we approach the provosts and presidents and professors?”

“You approach them and look them directly in the eye and tell them that America is a republic.”

“Are you a Republican?”

“No. I mean the rudiments when I say republic. That this is a State founded on the original ideas of individual rights, property rights, and free enterprise. This is in no way a democracy or a nation of a million mobsters clobbering nine hundred and ninety-nine other people just because the mob held a vote. That is the essence of democracy.”