Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-25
FREE SPEECH.

A misaDpreheDsion seems TO have
b zen created in the North ss to the sc-
ton taken by the constitutional con-
vention with reference to guaranteeing
freedom OF speech" President Goode
received letter yesterday from Rev.
John Greyson, rector of 81. Philips
Church, Wlscasset, Me-, 10 which ne
says:
/ zee 1t reported In the Boston Herald
OF this date that the Virginia constitu-
tional convention yesterday refused to
put an article into It's bill OF rights guar
anteeing freedom OF speech in the old
Commonwealth. l hope this is not
true. The right to shut an anarchists
mouth implies the right to shut q clergy
mans mouth. want free pulpit.
Our bill of rights in Maine declares
(Const. Maine, Art. l. SEQ. 4): Every
citizen may freely speak, write, and
publish his sentiments on any subject.
being responsible for the abuse of this
liberty" This is the traditional prece.
dent OF men who speak English. hope
Virginia will not be scared from its an
cient convictions by the sad trial OF the
present day. Lst us stand by the an
cient landmarks.
President Goode sent the following
reply:
Commonwealth OF Virginia,
Senate Chamber,
Richmond, Va, Sept. "a. 1901.
Dear Sir:-I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt OF your COM
muuication of the 18 b instant. The
article in the Boston Herald Is mislesd-
iug aud there seems to be general mis-
apprehension throughout the north In
regard to the action OF the Virginia
Constitutional Convention upon the
subject referred TO.
The twelfth section Of the declaia-
ton OF rights, as drawn by its immortal
author, George Mason, and adopted by
the Virginia convention on the I'm
day OF June, 17i6, declared that the
freedom OF the press is one OF the great
oulwarks of liberty and should never
be restraioed by any but a despotic
government.
The convention OF 1829-1830, oom-
posed Of such men as Jonn Marshall,
James Madison, James Monroe and
others scarcely less distinguished. aud
the convention OF 1S50-1S5l, composed
of sble and patriotic VirginiaDs, re-
adopted the section without any
amendment. 10 the convention OF
1867, held during the reconstruction
period, the following words were in
serted for the first time: "And any
citizen may speak, write and publish
his sentiments on ell subjects, being
responsible for the abuse OF that lib
erty."
In the convention now sitting the
committee OF the whole has recon-
meDded that the words last quoted
shall be omitted, but no final action has
been taken and an amendment is pend
ing which provides that they shall be
r. ored. 1t Ia proper to add that
many members voted In the committee
of the whole against their Insertion In
the new declaration OF rights because
they regard them as mere surplusage.
Section IA of Article of the present
constitution, which 1t is proposed to re-
tain, provides among other things that
the general assembly shsll not pass any
law abridging the freedom OF speech
and of the press.
Permit me to assure you that Vir-
gipis, the cradle Of the republic, will
not be frightened from her propriety
by the recent sad occurrence that has
shocked the civilized world and that
she will continue to stand by the
ancient landmarks erected by her own
worthy and distinguished sons, whose
fame is now the common property OF
our entire country.
Thanking you for your expressions OF
good will and your invocatioDs of Gods
blessings upon our deliberations, l am,
Very truly yours,
JOHN GooDE.
Rev. John Greyson, st. Phillips Rec
l torV Wisasset Me,