The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-09-06
UNJUST inJUNcTl0MS.
Their Inevitable Result Will oe ~.
sonal Freedom.

Their Inevitable Result Will % 49,
sonai Freedom.
The very great interest that has beer
manifested by the trades unionists q
our country and by fair minded men
and women who sympathize with ar
practical and substantial efforts fos
human uplift regarding the injunctioa
proceedings Of the Bucks Stove and
Range company against the omcers a
the American Federation OF Labor
presages results that In the end are
sure to be beneficial to all Americans
The right to exercise free speech and
the right to publish a free and un.
trammeled press are personally dear
to all men and women who have any
conception Of the hardships and the
battles that were fought to found this
great republic. The history Of the ct.
fort to secure these things runs bach
through the centuries. particularly IN
Great Britain more than any othes
country. And because OF the restric.
lions along these lines the bleak and
barren shores Of New England and the
Atlantic coast were settled by pioneeu
determined that their God given rights
on these principles should be respected
And they faced with grim determine
ton anything and everything that they
might have to bear In order to firmly
establish these rights upon this CONT
nent. Any one that will read American
lot how 20 -hnl
the contention OF the writer's of GUS
constitution was upon these subjects
Only within comparatively recent Year,
has there been any material attempt
by the courts to interfere with These
rights. MObs have intcrfered with
them. communities have done 20 a
times, but for the courts to do 70 h
comparatively new.
In the injunction issued BY Judge
Gould in the case above cited the In
reference with these fundamental
rights Of the citizens guaranteed BY
the constitution of the United States
was restrained absolutely. and the de-
termination with which the trades
unionists have fought the case in the
courts is receiving the approval Of all
fair minded citizens. And, what n
more. the result will be. II not imme-
diately. then in the future. the absolute
and unconditional recognition OF the
right Of individuals to the exercise OF
free speech as well as the promulga-
ton Of their ideas through free press,
subject at all times and under al cir
cumstances to the laws Of the nation
or state which punish men for the
abuse Of these rights under libel laws.
The labor movement asks no immu-
nifty from libel laws. 1t u perfect
~ willing to be subject to the same
penalties as any other class Of citizens.
But we resent an interference with
these fundamental rights BY court de-
crees. And we shall stand against &c
until the people Of our country arc
convinced that we are right and en-
masse come to our support. The fu-
ture Is full Of hope upon this subject
No matter how far the courts may 60,
the sentiment Is ever growing against
such unjust interference, and II the
wageworkers Of our country will
stand solid by their unions and By the
principles for which they stand tho
unorganized viii cast their lot with m.
and the day Of triumpb-the absolute
triumph-of the right Of free speech
and free press will be near at hand
John B. Lennon, Treasurer American
Federation of Labor.