The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-10-10
ANARCHISTS AND FREE SPEECH

To the EDITOR
1t seems that the ISLANDER believes in
liberty of speech and OF the press for all
but anarchists. It also seems that it's only
argument for denying the right to them
is that, in its opinion, the founders of our
nation never intended such freedom for
those who aim to abolish government.
AS the anarchists who were arrested on
suspicion after the assassination, and who
talked anarchism in the face of the off,
GERS who arrested them,' were liberated
because 1--WE find nothing against them,"
the ISLANDER will not deny that they
have the right now. This law has not
changed since the adoption of the consti-
tuition. Do they, then, hold the right by
virture of some technicality-an over
sight of the founders? Let the law testify:
american Law by Timothy Walker:''-
''The declaration of Independence, after
enumerating the ends Of government, as
serts that whenever any form Of govern
ment becomes destructive Of these ends,
it is the right of the people to alter or
abolish it, This indeed is self-ovident,
since all power comes from the people,
They have created the government and
may destroy it, when it ceases to satisfy
them: The language of The state (Ohio)
constitution does not even make the right
Of changing government depend upon the
but asserts it without qualification or
condition. "All political power is in
herent in the people. Government is in
Stituted for their equal protection and
benefit, and they have the right to alter,
reform, or abolish the same, whenever
they may deem it necessary"
They may do this; but if it was not in
tended that they might speak or write
about it, how is it to be done? Our fore
fathers had good deal Of experience with
q tyrannical government. Their first
thought was liberty, government after
wards. When they formed the new ma
ton, they purposely left all the gates of
the government wide open so that it
might be freely attacked by tongue and
pen on all sides. Congress shall max
no law abridging the freedom of speech
and of The press" This kept tyranny
out. AS consequences, people nowadays
are not much acquainted with it. To
many of US the government seems to be
an end in itself and must be maintained
at all hazards. be it rightor wrong; and
the mere suggestion Of abolishing it
seems very heretical indeed. But it is in
our law and the founders placed it there.
1t should also be remembered that over
SO per cent Of our conduct is regulated
by the law written in our hearts, The
aim Of the whole school system as well as
OF the churches is to bring US under this
law so that we shall do right by choice.
not by compulsion. Anarchists do not
oppose this-indeed they magnify It.
Walker saysthis law may be suficient
for community Of angels, but is not
sufficient to maintain order among men
- they now are. The objectionable sin.
therefore. OF anarchists is that they do us
the indignity of taking US for angels.
Perhaps they will and out their mistake
some Of these days.
But the law as it is now, Mr.. Editor.
must one who advocates cofnpliance with
it be "waeched?" And those who sneak
and are projected in It, arc they cont
laws!' The ones whose feelings rnn
nigh and would deny others their lo9nl
rights. are they Flaw abidinR?', Liberty
o. speech and Of the press IL one OF Amer.
gas most cherished institutions: and Mr..
Editor, in the name Of this institution.
and In name Of our f0rofathers who bled
Tor u and bequeathed it to us, We ask You
TO lend your Influence toward maintain
ing the supremacy Of the law;
Friday Harpor, oct. J, 1901: