The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-11-23
Every Mans Fight.

In the last issue of the CommCner,
MIR. Bryan sounds note of warning
to the people of the United States.
He says ''the affirmation Of the
Judgment of the lower court in the
case against Gompers, Mitchell and
Morrison. brings forcibly to the at
tention Of the public the considera-
ton. Of the. subject of the freedom
of the press. It may be difficult to
secure an Impartial weighing of the
subject, since prejudice against or
partiality toward the accused will
affect the minds of many. But this
is a subject which ought to be con-
sidered on its merits, for it is likely
to exert a far-reaching influence II
the highest court in the land sus-
taips the courts below, and punish
ment is finally inflicted upon the de-
PENDANTS. It will establish a new
precedent, the influence of which
can hardly be estimated. There was
a time in our nations history when
,encroachment upon the freedom or
speech would have aroused imme.
diate and unanimous protest, but the
conflicts which were necessary to es-
tablish the right are long past, and
those who took part in those con-
tests are dead. The present genera
ton came into these rights by in
heritance, and seem to be as indif-
ferent to the real value of the inherit
ance as the rich mans son is to
the value OF money which he re-
ceiyed without having to. put forth
any labor to earn 1t.
"In q speech at Chicago year
ago. Mr.. Gompers advanced a thought
which ought not to be overlooked.
He said that freedom of speech was
guaranteed not that the citizen might
say things pleasing to those in au-
thirty, but that he might say things
displeasing. The citizen always had
the right to say pleasing things; in
fact he had every inducement to say
agreeable things. The guarantee oil
free speech are of no value If they
go no farther than to permit the
saving of the things that are pleas
ant.
"The right of free speech includes
the right to criticise every depart
ment Of government and every pub
lie official, whether that official be
appointed or elected. and whether
he serves for a term of years or for
life. The judge is no exception to
the rule. He is no less servant OF
the people than the legislator or the
executive officer. and his official con-
duct is as much subject to scrutiny
as the conduct of the humblest pub
lie servant.
"In matters of doubt the doubt
should be resolved upon the side Of
freedom in speech, not against It.
In exercising the right to crticise
the business methods Of a corpora
tion the laboring man is as much
within the sphere of his rights as
is the stockholder of a corporation
when he is speaking to other stock
holders in regard to the conduct OF
employees. The officials Of a corpo-
ration and the stockholders of cor
poration do not hesitate to cooperate
against employees In any controversy
between the employees and the cor
porateon-they do not hesitate to
prescribe terms upon which they will
employ workmen. Why should the
workmen be restrained from discuss
ing the conditions upon which they
will accept employment? The only
line that rests upon reason and can
be justified by argument is the line
Separating persuasion from violence.
AS long as the laboring man reasons
with his co-laborer or presents an
he is within his rights,
and the one to whom the argument
is addressed has right to hear.
The business methods of corpora
ton are proper subjects Of discus
sion by employees as we'll as by Gus
toners, and a decree which deprives
the laboring man of this right is a
step toward industrial bondage.
The dangers involved in the courts
decision are so great that the labor
ing man ought not to be left to COM
bat them alone. Every citizen in
te-ested in the preserving OF our
institutions ought to feel personal
concern in maintaining inviolate the
right to think, and the right to speak.
Not only free government but civili-
cation itself depends upon free
speech as much as upon any other
one thing for its very existance.'