The continuation of crises in the world already has scrambled many of our old patterns of thought, and the American Legion's proposal for a permanent national conscription program for youths of 18 has drawn much sober comment from Congressmen, whereas only a year ago it probably would have been likened heatedly to the totalitarian programs of forced labor and universal conscription. . .

The nation has acquiesced to conscription in peacetime, distasteful as it is at any time, because it thinks the day may come when a sizeable, trained army will be necessary for defense. But a permanent system of drafting young men who have the right to live their own lives when their nation is at peace, violate both democratic privilege and sound reasoning.--Ohio State Lantern