Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-07-20
ARE WE ALL TRAITORS AT ELECTION TINE!

If there is ANYTHING the American citizens is entitled
to it is his opinion This free country and differs
from some other countries in that while in any old place
man may think as he pleases he cannot express his
thoughts and keep his head his shoulders to express
other thoughts with Free speech and free press which
is its coroay for the press is but the expression OF the
opinions of the nation at least the means OF giving
those thoughts publicity are the two things upon when
that foundation Of liberty rests Our form OF govern
ment is modified democracy, and so lar as rights ana
freedom go, one man is as good as any other
1t follows then that every man, and this of course In
cudes woman has right to think what he peases and
when he peases and to express those thoughts at any
time place provided they clothed in decent language
and he is trespassng in other persons affairs
He cannot, of go into church and occupy the
pulpit unless invited to do can he do anything else
of this kind but he give vent to his opinion at any
place. and he should not be for so doing
Yet there no country where the expression OF opinion
or the holding of beliefs is condemned We 90 not go
the extent of trying to prevent the expression OF OPINION
by others or to stop them from having certain beliefs
Should we do that we would not be able to exercise these
privileges ourselves.
To Illustrate This country is pretty evenly divided
politically between the democrats and republicans Ihere
is smatterng of other political beliefs but the great
jorty of either or the other OF the TWO great
parties d,
In our daily affairs democrat and republican mix and
mngle not knowing, or caring Wnat tne otnef lihs vi
believes politically
In government policies what helps democrats
helps republicans and whatever hurts republicans hurts
badly the democrats Our lnleIeStS
and no doubt the desire of each is for the best possible
government for all. - ,
This will not be denied by any, and yet when political
campaign is on at present. the citizens and the news
attack each other for their beliefs and convey the
impression that the other trying to ruin the country or
as would necessarily follow, ruin themselves.
We have told each other this time and time again ever
since the first election and keep on telling the same old
story and for the time try to believe it, ahough we know
it is lie made of whole cloth and used only for political
gan that to get the control generally ON the part OF
the leaders to get the offices.
In times when the country needs defenders republican,
democrat socialist prohbitonst and of all creeds
Law aside their usual pursuits and take up for the
common good
None of us are traitors none desires the ruin of the
country The great masses in field and forest mne mill
and mart are honest and patriotic except at election time
Is it not about time we quit this than foolish
recrimnaon every election and have good opinion
of one another at election times do between them
1t is possible that while looking upon the other
fellow as fool because of his ideas and opinions that he
is right and wrong The chances at least even
the good citizen is right than when he gives
in this direction The American people all right, and
vent to his honest opinion as to governmental policies
even though it may turn out that he was mistaken
Would it not be good plan to turn over new leaf,
and while expressing beliefs at the polls or previous
to them give the fellows who think differently credit for
being just honest in their beliefs we are in ours
The country will go to the bow matter what
the result of the election and while we talk as though 1t
would we know BETTER and should be ashamed OF our
selves for our narrowmindedness