Morris tribune., 1917-08-17
FREE SPEECH

There is a great deal of misunderstanding on the
subject free speech both by those who would over
step it's and also by those who would unduy
strict it.
In the first place it is we'll to remember that no
citizen possesses any right absolutely So long he is
living in organized society," there are many rights
which otherwise possess which the government
steps in and curtas the common good. 1t is the
same with the right of free speech. A man may hold
any opinion he wishes, and he express it. The opn
may foolish and absurd but he may still hold
it right there is the difference between depotism
and democracy. In despotsm man may says any
thing wishes provided it has the approval of the
authorities that he can't anything at
all of Importance The only requirement this country
must obey the law long it is the law
He may work the repeal of any law, but in
doing he must not do anything with intent to procure
it's violation.
while enjoy the right of free speech and can
say all the things wish, it is much better to
what talking about and not talk foolish
AS general proposition, the laws of this country
reflect of the majority, and the majority
generally right and those who obstruct and
the majority generally do harm to themselves than
to anyone else, would agree with the majority if
properly informed For that the wise citizen
should be concerned with obtaining and spread
ing reliable information than he is with uttering dis
loyal sentiments prohibiting else from max
ing a fool of himself.
recent editorial in the Youths Companion dis
cusses the question of free speech as follows
The constitution of the United States guarantees
people unabridged freedom of speech; but like
all phrases that have been long and often rheorcally
used the term have different meanings for
different persons. How then is it to be interpreted
1t does not that any citizen may say any
any thing that into his head He may not
blasphemy foul abuse SANDER there laws
forbddng all those things. Furthermore-and this is
aspect the matter that is most important
he not by act or word commit treason by adher-
ing to the enemies of the United States giving them aid
and comfort
Whether a who openly attacks the
government of the people of the United States in time
ransgressed the point Of treason the prvi
Iege of speech that calls for decision in
court there is twilight between the permissible
the forbidden in which it is not to distinguish
the lawful from the unlawful.
It is obvious of course, that citizen has per
right declare his conviction that the United States
should have entered this to argue that the
seectve draft law is unwse even oppressive to
criticize the conduct the words of the president
other officials the government But he urges his
hearers to hamper government and to give such
aid they to Germany if he advises young men
who subject to the selectve draft set the law
Defiance if he counses the assassination of the president
of anyone authority, he pretend that
by guaranteeing speech bill of rights gives him
immunity.
No doubt the war goes some will be ar
rested by superserviceabe officials for exercising free
dom Of speech that really lawful other who ought
brought sedtious reasonable speech
will escape. hope that few of The Companion readers
hold opinions that might if expressed, get them into
trouble; but it is good thing for all to tc
remember that the freedom Of speech to which every
citizen entitled concerned with the discussion of alb
stract principles with the personal competence
public servants it does not extend to attacks OF
the safety of the republic public Indictment to law
breaking.