Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-08-24

American citizens, as a mass. are
noted for their love Of law and
order. They arc also noted for
their reluctance 10 enforce the law
against oifcnses that arc not a d.
rect and violent infraction OF the
spirit Of the law. Based upon a
knowledge Of this trai; OF Amcri-
can character. there have grown
Of late years a number Of societies
and organizations whose avowed
purpose Is 10 commit every possible
offcnsc against society that is not
openly and VIGOROUSLY unlawful.
Such lawyers as Clarence barrow
have trained such men as Bill
Haywood how 10 slllifully and
crafiily commit alniest any crime
within the possibilities OF a human
being and slsll keep within the law.
The murder 81 Ex-Governor
Stcuncnbcrg and the escape from
punishment Of the men who plan
ned and executed the murder,
through the slightest legal tcchnic-
asity which kept them within the
Law. IS an example with Idaho The |
activities OF the |. w w, and the
Paciiists, and the Conscientious OBJ |
leciors and the German American |
newspapers and many other orgaui-
zations and institutions and forces
which are now so indusffiouSlv ex- /
crting themselves TO their utmost
20 cripple our government by every
possible MEANS IN It's conduct OF the
war are all claiming freedom Of ac-
ton OF the same plea that they arc
within the law Proclaiming for
free speech. they teach treason and
sediiion. Pfoclaiming for free press
they use the liberty 10 stab the gov
eminent in the back while they
claim protection from this same
government from harm brought up
on themselves by their abuse OF free
speech and free press Free speech
and free press are constitutional
provisions 10 guarantee the right Of
the majority rule Also 10 guaran-
tee the right OF the minority to free
and nnrcstrained discussion until
the vote IS fairly taken and fairly
counted. To use the freedom OF
speech and press against the deeIar-
alton OF war was not only the right ,
but the duty Of every American
citizen who felt so inclined. But
after the majority has declared for !
war. through its legally qualified :
representatives. the question has !
Passed beyond the stage Of discus i
SION and free speech which cndan- !,
gers the execution OF the expressed !
wall OF the majority passed away y
with the recording Of that will. ANY >
American citizen has a right and !
luty 10 exercise free speech against =
he sclcctiye draft until il became a =
aw. To continue 70 exercise under y
ne gelse OF free speech. opposition
.fter Il has become a law becomes
crime. IA endangcrs the lives OF
oldieTs who are drafted under the
rotisions OF that law No good "
iiixen viii commit such a crime. "a
nd furthermore no good citizen y
.ill permit such a crime 10 be COM y
lifted IN his presence aud allow il q
! pass unpunished ~
You may not approve OF the ~
eihods o. measures OF motives OF &c
e administration. as YOU view #. 20
So there viii come a time when or
VIII be proper for you 20 exercise oi
& right Of free speech. Until then "
Is I tic short OF treason to attempt ss'
hamper or handicap the admin OF
ration IN whose hands rests the ,a ,'
'es Of our soldiers. as we'll as the F"
penditurc Of multiplied billions Of sec
liars Of oar national wealth. The
dgment and motives OF the adj
nistration will al the proper time
me up for your approval and then NH
cry patriotic American will have res
duty % perform where the right Ser
free speech and a free press may trci
exercised % their fullest extent pea
iill then be patient, And support
. administration. AN