The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-23
PLEA FOR EXPRESSION
OF PUBLIC OPINION

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir' II will
be unfortunate II President Wilson's
earnest and sincere appeal for modera.
ton Of expression be construed TO requirs
a cessation OF all discussion relative TO
the issues now at stake In the European
embodiment.
war ON such a gigantic scale az
this, with the accompanying slaughter OF
thousands whof have not the least quar-.
rel with one another. is an evil and
monstrous thing. Whatever persons, inst.
tutions or conditions may prove TO he re-
sponsible for II deserve to be held up to
the adherence of mankind. that hereafter
their example or influence may b.
Stunned and avoided.
express no opinion here as 10 the
responsibilities. But should IL appear
that the present issues are or should a
situation develop where the issues become
a question between the old order and The
new. our side OF this question is settled
for us; our place is on the side OF free
institutions" In such case those OF US
who perceive the realities should mot be
unreasonable in the expression OF our re-.
gard" nor ought We lin the hour Of
utmost peril withhold such encourage
ment as might be properly and lawfully
given and when the crisis is past over
whelm the rescued sufferer with kindness
1t Is mot necessary that We should fur
nish armies or navles to the cause whioh
We believe to be the just one" To quote
further from the eloquent declarations Of
Daniel Webster ninety years ago:
THE public opinion of the civilized
world is already able to oppose the most
formidable obstruction 10 the progress Of
injustice and oppression and as II grows
more intelligent and more intense II will
be more and more formidable II may be
slenced by military power. but II cannot
be conquered. Until this be propit!ated
or satisfied 1t is vain for power TO talk
either of triumphs or repose. II follows
the oonqueror back to the very scene Of
his ovations 1t turns to bit.
terness the cup of his rejoicing and
wounds him with the sting which belong.
TO the consciousness OF having outraged
the opinion OF mankind,
Such an intelligent public opinion. the
terror of oppressors and tyrants can
only evolve from a frank facing Of the
issues and a full and free discussion To
keep such discussion within the bounds
OF moderation and to conduct Il with
charity to all and malice toward none
Is the ideal for which we should strive
But to seek to go further and TO with
hold from whichever contenders we feel
to have the Just cause those sympathetic
expressions that cheer and hearten those
who are bearing the brunt OF conflict
while We wait to see which side may have
the heaviest battalions. goes beyond
counsel OF perfection and reaches moral
cowardice.
And AZ in the course of the discussions
| requisite to develop public opinion some
unfortunately may exceed the bounds OF
| moderation and give expression 10 opin-
Ions distasteful or perhaps even abhor-
| rent to the majority let them be unmo-
| Tested in order that they may serve, in
| the words OF Jefferson. las monuments
20 the safety with which error OF opinion
| may be tolerated II reason be left free TO
combat It" A. C. PLEYpELL.
! NEW YORK, August 81.