Constitutions and Bed Bugs

Messrs. Byas and Gilton think that U.S. foreign policy of a non-committal nature, and non-intervention is a formula for happiness—but Britain has a messy policy like that, and say are we happy? From a team considered worthy of carrying round the Pacific. "Salient" expected far greater things in the debating line than the Negro visitors served up in the Town Hall last Wednesday night. Frankly I was disappointed. Polished speaking, drinking water at immaculate intervals and look of perfect detachment may be all right for American after-dinner speechifying. But the failure to tackle real challenges put forward by the negative, and almost to evade making any direct answers on points made me doubt the caption "negroes can think." It is a pity the visitors did not digress a bit (and surely their speeches are known enough to themselves and flexible) and make a debate instead of the frivolous but admittedly clever stand they took. But perhaps we are too serious! The subject, "That America has found the formula for happiness." was not a very good one to affirm—so probably it is all excusable.

First Round.

After making a few preliminary remarks about our weather, hospitality, general knowledge, natural beauties and, in fact, all those things which visitors feel so compelled to remark on, Mr. Byas proceeded to state his case. America had found the formula for happiness and this claim was justified from the national not the individual outlook. Certain sections of the community were not happy, but then they are not characteristic of the nation. The fact that America was one of the greatest lovers of peace affected her people and was one of the determining factors in happiness of the masses.

In 1917 America went overseas to fight for something called democracy, and though she gained neither money nor territory she had gained a lesson which stood her in good stead. Legislation had been put forward to prevent her from participating in a world war. The doctrine that detachment is best is held by most of the American people, and this recognition has led them to find happiness. There is no need to point out the horrors of war to show that peace is better. Most of the world wars have been of European significance, so why should U.S. worry? After all, no one is interested in her welfare except herself, and no nation can be blamed for trying to preserve her own peace. Back during the war there was Cohen's "Over There," with expressions of patriotism and desire to die for one's country. America was hypnotised and drawn in. In return, she received only a vote of thanks, which did not carry over into the financial sphere.

Eddle Cantor's song. "Let 'Em Keep It Over There," reflects the attitude of the American people at present. The United States peace policy may be over-advertised, but she is prepared to fight if invaded. He quoted the case of the gunboat Panay. Mr. Byas also outlined the history of founding of the States based on peace and self exclusion from European ties. "In having little political connection with the world we can promote our own peace and find our formula for happiness." concluded Mr. Byas.

Eureka!

"It is strange," said Mr. Scotney, "that happiness has been the age-long quest of humanity. Every country and civilisation has discussed it, and now two American debaters claim to have found the formula why were there no headlines to proclaim the great fact?

"Mr. Byas disagrees with his own President who stated a while ago that isolationism could not stand in the face of world affairs to-day. There is only one way—that is to come out into the open and stand or fall by the preservation of world democracy.

"In their desire to get things done in a hurry the Americans have had two depressions to our one. These slumps, depressions, recessions, or 'slackness,' as the Americans prefer to say, have stunned most of the citizens. It is a queer frame of mind that calls a slump a formula for happiness."

If there was not a conscious effort on the part of politicians to promote happiness the goal would never be reached. American politicians got excited over trifles, talked much and said nothing—were generally up in the air—but how could they help it with no intellect and no background of society? They had no formula for happiness.

"Look at the Constitution," said Mr. Scotney; "It is not one of liberty. It is not an Instrument of government but a guarantee that America will never be governed, and an examination of the Constitution will reveal nothing but a protest against law and order." The American citizen had abolished all forms of government and lain himself open to petty dictatorships of racketeers. The Americans had set the pursuit of happiness aside for the pursuit of wealth. They were not promoting even general comfort by utilising to the full their natural resources.

Ever since his inauguration the President had done his best to wipe out misery, but was always thwarted by the Constitution, by vested Interests and private enterprise sanctioned by that Constitution.

"Until the Constitution is altered it can have no significance for the people of America or for us either; and only when that has been done will the people live in happiness and sufficiency instead of in poverty and fear." said Mr. Scotney in conclusion.

Mr. Gilton considered that the leader of the opposition's speech passed all understanding, and was quite convinced that if American University students were wasting their time on the study of non-skid lipstick, bed-bugs and dromedaries, well then they had found the formula for happiness. The Government was rather afraid to lend this formula—once America had lent much money to the nations. The safe thing might happen to the formula as happened to the money.

Variety—Spice O' Life.

There was variety in America—variety of climate, sports, recreation and also of racial settlements, such as Harlem in New York. Power and wealth were offered as opportunities. Then Mr. Gilton considered the varieties of leadership. Why, everyone had a chance to become the President, and who would not be pleased to some time? There was equal opportunity for all—had not George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, men of diverse fortune, occupied the Presidential Chair?

"Mr. Scotney has attacked the Constitution. Well, the Constitution is in the form the people want, so what's he squawking about!"

There may be evil effects in the Constitution, but other young countries, Argentine and Brazil, had taken clauses from it, and modelled their own Constitutions along the lines of U.S.A. They were not forced to do this. Surely this showed it was a sound one, and justified the assertion that the people of America had found the formula for happiness.

Neurotic Yanks.

Miss Shorthall expressed surprise and doubt at Mr. Gilton's statements that the poor remained in America because they preferred it, and people were not Presidents just because they did not want to be. The chances of becoming President were great—one in 130,000,000!

Throughout the American press and radio sensationalism was the dominant note. In a newspaper taken up at random there were 20 headlines. Sixteen of these dealt with murder, suicide, and sex. This was the fare served up to the neurotic Americans. It reflected a fear-ridden, frenzied people rather than those seeking happiness. Advertising and radio throw lights on the desires of the people—the radios have turned their backs on culture—they sell it.

It was a very unhealthy sign that the Americans preferred to watch paid sport to playing it themselves. Hollywood was almost a religious cult in America; and crank beliefs were rampant. All this appetite for sensationalism pointed to fear, competition and strain of American life.

America is the most snobbish country in the world, the snobbishness being based on money. America must not be considered as a whole, in spite of what Mr. Byas said—first consideration must be given to the smaller sections, for American life is made up of sections. This segregation of Jews and Negroes was not for equality of opportunity—they only got the dirty jobs to do. One in every ten in America is a negro, yet there is bitter prejudice in North and South against these negroes who can compare socially and intellectually with the best in the world. "Till this serious question is solved, while there exists class division between capitalist and worker, and while American civilisation is based on strife and cut-throat competition, man to man, there can be no happiness."

No Formula.

Summing up for the negative, Mr. Scotney told us the little story about high pressure salesmanship, and the "Push" and "Pull" devices on a door—he said the speeches of the affirmative had reminded him strongly of it. While real problems confronted the Americans they chose to digress. No concrete formula had been put forward by the visitors. The Constitution is out of date, and though the Americans did not realise it, they are old-fashioned. It was not even what the majority of people wanted—nor the President, else why all the conflict with the Supreme Court? In dealing with the influence of films. Mr. Scotney pointed out that the main consideration of the producer was the "box-office"; and the second aim was to stop the people thinking about serious things. The taste of the people has been so tailored that it could not face up to a serious film.

Gilton and Hooey.

Concluding for the affirmative. Mr. Gilton tried to prove that the Constitution was what the people want. Amendments had been added. He seemed rather surprised but patient with the inability of the opposition to realise that America's formula for happiness was her foreign policy. Mr. Gilton asked us to believe that the negro is gradually getting fitted to hold jobs, that's why he prefers to stay with his own people. Mr. Gilton confidently assured the audience that as the U.S. foreign policy (their happiness formula) had not been demolished, his side must be the victorious one. But methinks Victoria must have got the decision on nearly every count had a vote been taken.

—V.E.