The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-13

His Dramatic Challenge.
The challenge was all the more dra-
matte because to-day his fate will prob
ably be decided by the District Court OF
Appeals. When he spoke he did not
shrink from facing squarely the issue.
he may be sent to jail, and he did not
care. II he were TO be sent at all, for how
long. The question OF free speech was
the one which concerned him.
He had. indeed. every temptation 10
swing himself free Of reserve. for he was
given an Impressive tribute Of affection
and support. one which illustrated the
solid strength Of the union labor move
ment in conjunction with its unswerving
loyalty to him.
He reviewed nearly 15t0O marchers from
an inspiring colgn OF vantage, represent
lng all sections OF the country. from the
Atlantic 20 the Pacific. There were dele
rates from san Francisco. from Hawaii.
and Porto Rico 70 do him honor. He was
deeply appreciative Of the tribute and
,onfesssd 20 friends he was entirely lack
Ing IN words to adequately express his
gratitude.
When he aHghted at the Union station
one OF his first expressions was this;
since my trip abroad the letters u. 5.
A. have taken on an entirely new signif-
cance'
Not that he was disappointed with his
European tour, but it had served to en-
nbasize the advantages Of the United
states. and particularly Washington. as
a home.
His followers matched this mood They
gave him the best stun that was in them,
and he responded in kind. Only the
President Of the United States, on in
auguration day and other occasions, can
boast OF a welcome from washington at
all comparing with that accorded the head
or the American labor movement.
Mr.. Gompers expressed himself as being
IN good health, and the same is true
OF his wife and daughter He betrayed
no traces OF worry over the contempt or
court case. which has been hanging over
his head for many months.
While he dld not say so, mis- expression
often indicated "he was prepared to fight
1t out on this line If It took all summer. -
and T. was this attitude which won him
round after round OF applause in Conven-
ton Hall.
Respect for judiciary.
Il have the greatest respect for the
judiciary OF our country" he said Il
have confidence in their integrity. no
matter what their decision may be- 1
know they are men and are human. and
are lust as liable to err as any other
beings on earth. say this not only Of
the three Justices of the Court of Appeals
who. no doubt. have already decided and
are simply waiting for and opportune
moment 10 make their decision public
and / have not the slightest doubt that &
is true generally Of the judiciary.
Il have no heSitancy in saying il is
my conviction that not only did Justice
Wright err. but that he was prejudced
against the man Of labor I do not want
to be a hero, or nearly a hero. have
no desire to be bombastic. but l say this
advisedly. with the knowledge Of the full
responsibility that Il conveys. that in as
far as l am concerned. the imposition OF
4 lighter sentence would not alter the
case one iot.
Either we have free speech and free
press in this country or we have not.
The imposition of a fine OF one solitary
cent or Imprisonment for one hour for
the utterance of a mans conscience and
he principles and the faith that is
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Low Rates 10 Milwaukee.