The state herald., 1917-03-16
IS GOVERNMENT 50 PATERNAIETE AND
MQUISITORlAL THAT FREEDOM EA MOCKERYi
BY W.T.. WILEY. Editor c;neinn.i Enquirer
(By United Pr.ss Association,

Columbus. O.-(Special) - At the
last annual meeting Of the Associated
Ohio Dailies. W. F..Wiley, editor Of the
Cincinnati Enquirer. delivered IN ad-
dress that has become classic In edi.
torial circles.
Mr.. Wiley startled his audience Of
editors when he proved to them that
the Wanted freedom OF the press 10 NO
more. Here are excerpts from Mr..
Wiley's address. which is considered
one Of the most fearless public utter.
ances Of The day:
More swiftly and as surely - the
glacier grinds its resistless way down
mountain slopes. sweeping before Il
all life and growth and development.
SO there 10 sweeping down on the
press Of America the relentless. cold.
merciless un-American avalanche Of
governmental censorship.
1t Is inconceivable to my mind that
Russianization Of the American press
will be permitted to go on unheeded
and unchecked. And yet the end Of
the effort to throttle us is not-in sight.
To the local efforts Of Alabama, West
Virginia and other states to prevent
the sale or circulation of newspapers
containing advertisements Of certain
character is added now the proposal
Of the congress Of the United States
to prevent the carrying by mail any.
where Of newspapers containing such
advertising matter. That proposal
has already been endorsed by the SEN
ate, and II reports may be believed. II
will receive also the approval Of the
house Of representatives.
There is pending. too. In the senate
resolution. declaring that United
States district courts shall have no
power to declare an act Of congress
unconstitutional.
the liquor trafi1c. nor to plead for
those newspapers and other periodic
ais that carry the advertising Of this
business. Personally. have no In
terest In the business direct or In
direct. nor have ever defended It.
Speaking to you tonight as man to
man, I may add. even, that I am per-
sonally opposed to some phases Of II
for many reasons. but l am more
strongly opposed to the insidious ef-
fort, Of which this proposed legisla-
tion Is the opening wedge. to repeal or
to emasculate Article Of the amend
ments to the Constitution Of the
United States. which provides that
there shall be no abridgement Of the
freedom OF the press.
It is an age old fight. my friends.
this insistent effort to prevent the ex-
:ercee of honest criticism Of man and
measures. II has its beginning In
the dim. dark days when tyranny was
rule, when kings could do no wrong
and when he who tremendously
raised his voice In complaint or criti-
cism Of those occupying the Seats Of
the mighty paid for such indiscretion
with his life.
Gentlemen Of the Associated Ohio
Dailies, the battle is on. There Is even
now not alone a governmental censor
ship Of the press. but the first slimy
tentacles Of an inquisition have been
thrust menacing!y and with sinister
purpose toward complete official DOM
instion and control Of editorial utter
ance.
Let US read a letter received by the
editor Of an Ohio newspaper with
which most Of you are familiar:
sir:-There has been submitted TO this
office copy Of an editorial entitled why
Not Regulate Evcrythingy" purporting to
have been published In Jan. 4 1917. Issue
Of your publication. with the suggestion
that II was published for valuable con-
sidcrntion and should. therefore. have
been marked ss an advertisement. in
accordance with the provisions OF the
act OF Aug. ~. 1912. copy Of which Is
inciosed. This office would be pleased to
have . statement from you In regnrd to
the matter.
Respectfully.
A.. n. DOCKERY.
Third Asst. Postmaster General.