New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-14
SUPPRESSION OF THOUGHT

No poitica organization will live in this coun-
try long enough to make its mark that attempts
to prohibit freedom of speech and thought let
this is exactly the attitude taken by the Farm
ers' Alliance. according to reports which come
from some of it's most jealous members. Ihey
state that the Alliance, in order to prevent dl-
version of its members from the opinions tauSht
in its secret meetings and by its hired organs,
have prohibited their reading any other journals
or published matter, or listening to any other
speakers. 1t is easy to prohibit But 1t Will
not be found easy to enforce prohibition
against free speech, and in proportion as 1t at
tempts to carry into effect an interdct 80 alb
surd, the Alliance will lose the esteem and sup
port of those members who are worth anything.
This prohibition is a confession of weakness
and cowardice. No party no organization hay
ing political aims or influence, can live in this
country if it conesses that it dares not have its
opinions and teachings criticised before its adj
herents. There was once power in the UNITED
States which took that position having asSas-
sination and mob law to carry out its behests.
But even slavery though intrenched In the
selfish interests of millions of white people IN
about half the territory of the United States,
had not power enough to suppress free thought
or free speech. 1t brought up generation OF
men and women who were almost Ignorant OF
everything that concerned their welfare, and 1t
was even then compelled to resort to civil war
in the vain hope that it could thus prevent a
complete collapse of the institution.
The Farmers Alliance has not even the be-
ginning of such a power. 1t has to deal with
Of fpoorto tVhO stoned 10 free
speech and free thought, and can never be de-
prived of these by any authority whatever with
out revolution One has only to think what
would happen in Kansas or Iowa if the gov
eminent in either of those States should attempt
to rob the people of their rights as the Farmers
Alliance does. Such a government would be
| swept out of existence in the shortest possible
| time, all decent men of all parties uniting to
| trample it under foot. But can anybody sup
pose that an organization of farmers will be
allowed by its members to usurp such power
over them?
| 1t will be fatal to the Alliance in this free
country if it does not dare to have its opinions
! freely criticised and discussed. Thousands who
have been inclined to accept those opinions, sc
soon as they find themselves prohibited from
reading or listening to opposing views, will not
only revolt against such dctatfon but diStrlSt
the ideas they had before accepted. There i
no room in this country for any party or politi
cal organization that has not the courage to face
discussion. If the doctrines of the Farmers
Alliance are right, or have even the faintes
trace of justice or expedency in them, theil
discussion by the people will strengthen the
cause OF the Alliance and bring out what mer
its doctrines have. But neither the farmers
nor any other body of men can accomplish any
thing in defiance of that free and enlightened
public opinion which open discussion produce
and educateS.