The Washington times., 1917-09-01
Tolerance and Freedom of Speech
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
The PEOPLE Of WashnGon How Restrain Violence Whea
he Paeiasts

any group of American citizens have anything to say
about the Government Of the United States or its policies let
them it. other people disagree let them say it. too they
have to hire hall make counter demonstration to do So
That's what freedom Of speech That's what the Con-
sttution aims to safeguard.
The Peoples Council of America" organiza-
cans disagree absolutely proposes hold meeting in Wash
ngon They have been barred from Minnesota by the gov
N d. rudely elected from Hudson Wis They want
to to Washington where the Federal authority to protect
they impose responsibility not merely on the authorities but
on the people of Washington.
Tolerance and seresrain the virtues Of democracy
The people OF this city have an opportunity 70 sne
absurdy of the theory that America being Prussianized
whether you agree or disagree The men and women VINO
compose it. who believe economic freedom after the war; OF
the repeal of the CONSUMPTION law early ending Of the
itself conscientious in their beliefs Cries Of German
money have but has proved connection
apparent between organization and any German
funds influence this had been true the conspiraors
long would have been put in Jail where they would have
belonged instead Of being permitted to large public
meetings But merely proGerman not to prove It
Most of indeed believe that the Government can be
expected to work for freedom the because
the American people will demand in due tme most OF Us
think the repeal Of the CONSUMPTION law would be fatal and
that premature peace would only another
the begerents could recuperate sufficiently to resume hos
ts But of ought to be bgoted as to shut the
door those who disagree with unless of
not interested in discussion in which case we need not
worry about the meetings at all.
For really doesn't matter what views the pacists
expressing They have right to hire hall and air their
views people 90 not them need not
doing They employ better per-
haps in visiting the training camps of troops nearby where
the ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation win
preciate the stimulus visit The point that free speech
should free speech especially in the National Capital
There should be cheap herosm such broke Bamore
meeting months ago. And above ALL soldiers sailors
should not sully the uniform by mob tactics
What would the people Of Berlin say if they read that
public meeting had been suppressed broken violence
the Capital of the United States? What would the Russians
think? ,-Je=.
Clearly duty Westinghouse is to let the Peoples
Council say what pease provided the speakers keep within
the law And the question Of whether they keep within the
law for the officials of the District de-
termne and not the mob In being fought for democracy
let permit worthy a to be tainted with
hypocrisy And of all should the residents of Washing
ton take to heart the fact that they want day
rather freely their opinions about the Federal Gov
in matters of ar and delicate concern
them the District of Columbia Free speech precious
right that sacred to be left whms of peuant
mob the intolerance Of few notwithstanding individuals
Washington will know how to its visitors coureousy