The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1917-07-17
The Spirit of Intolerance.
From the Augusta Chronicle.

But we are concerned about situation
that has arisen, or seems about to arise, in
Georgia, as result of the storm that has
suddenly broken about the head of Georgia's
junior senator-even though these storm
centers be localized at and near. the larger
cities of the state-as it may be just as well
to understand, at the very outset
we are concerned about the spirit of in
tolerance which seems to have arisen on
every hand, ready to strike down and cruel
~ everyone who dares to offer an opinion
that is not exactly in line with-what?
The Bible? No; for on that there is a va
riety of opinion
The Declaration of independence? No:
for there, again, men differ as to the pre-
else meaning and exact force of some of it's
observations.
The constitution of the United States?
NO; for there even some of the greatest stu
dents of constitutional law differ at times.
The democratic platform? No; for on this
we reserve the right to differ from the very
moment 1T is adopted until a new one is
drawn.
Then, what is it that is so transcendant-
ly sacred? What is it that does not permit
OF argument? What is it that all men must
accept as revealed truth; to question which
is to be guilty of sacrilege, to commit trea
son and to place yourself beyond the pale?
It's almost unthinkable that such thing
it has come about that the opinion, the will
the word of one man have been set as the
standard by which all other Americans are
to be measured; the measure, indeed, of
their citizenship and loyalty.
Stand by the president" has become
popular phrase; so popular, indeed, that it
has cowed into submission men whose hearts
and minds have prompted them to differ
with him, at times, yet who lacked the NOR
al courage to assert this prerogative under
pressure; while it has all but set the mob
upon the heels of the man who had the
courage to hold to his own convictions in
spite of popular clamor.
Yet, if to 'stand by the PRESIDENT is to
be the accepted standard of craftsmanship
ana cItlzenshlp, then why not suspend the
constitution for the period of the war. abol-
ish the right to vote and do away with the
other two coordinate branches of govern
ment? Is 1t thought that the president
even though he be a Woodrow Wilson-can
make no mistakes? If So his own repeated
reVersaIs OF opinion and position offer the
best answer to so absurd a proposition.
Just here is the pOint-freedom of opin-
ion and freedom of speech. These are in
danger of being inundated on the altar of
a mistaken patriotism
Religious freedom, the right of free
thought and speech, freedom of the press.
the right to peacefully assemble and the
right of petition these are the very bed
rocks of our constitution-the foundation
on which was erected the greatest govern
ment In all the world Freedom the very
basis Of our Declaration of Independence.
And, yet, one hundred and forty-one wears |
after the signing of that great document, al
most to the very day, men dare rise up-I
even TO parade our streets and prostitute |
the columns of free press with their cries
OF lntolerance-and decry and condemn as
traitors" other men, freeborn Americans
like themselves, who happen to hold conyic- |
lions concerning certain phases of our war
with Germany that are not in exact accord
with the present head of our government;
or who even may be out of harmony. as for
that matter, with the present views of the
majority. AS If tyranny were any less tyr
amy whether you be compelled to silence I
by one man or many.