davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09

When governors and mayors refuse TO let
men and women meet and speak, though 1t
was not known in advance that one word
against law and order or the settled policy
of the government would fall from their
lips. the ordinary American thinks that there
is something wrong. He IS not mainly con-
cerned with the legality Of the action. 1t
does not seem to him fair. To mis- mind the
gross folly of it all is apparent.
"Sedition is bad, but even worse is 1t TO
assert sedtion where it Goes not exist, and
to rush Historically into the suppression OF
what may be entirely harmless opinions
Other sympathy, but for significantly
different reason, is that contained in a
protest of delegates of the Chicago Fed
Grafton of Labor against Governor Low
denis action barring the council from Hi
nois. In condemning "the governors OF
Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota for
their action in denying to the Peoples
Council the right of free speech and free
assembly" the federation made it clear
that its action was not an Endorsement
of the council or of its views. But If the
Governor of Illinois assumed the right to
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09

lloyed elsewhere to silence or punish ran
dom lecturers on socialistic or anarchistlc
subjects. 1t does not discourage, but
rather inflames, the victims. 1t is sup
preston by suppression's uglist method.
The Sheriff of Hennepin County lMlnn)
looks i'll, indeed, explaining that had the
meeting been held there would have been
rioting and bloodshed. The Sheriff is the
man intrusted with the prevention OF such
violence. A little more diplomacy
a little tact along with our patriotism, Is
what some of our executives need, and
Governor Burnquist needs a double por-
tion."
"The Springfield Republican and The
Philadelphia Public Ledger" also rail lit
lie at "An Overwrought Governor I'm
the interest of constitutional rights" says
THE Republican" in perhaps the strong
est Of several adverse criticisms of the
SUPPRESSION. at is to be hoped that the
courts will be asked at once to pass upon
the Governors order, which seems to be
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09

deny free speech to that organization,
explains John Fitzpatrick, president OF the
federation, "he might some day take v
upon himself to send his men here and pre-
vent US from meeting" And Victor ID.
Orlander, secretary of the Illinois Fedora
ton of Labor, speaking on the same sub
:ect. is quoted thus by 1.-The Chicago
Tribune:
"Tn my opinion, the actions of that organ
izat!on (the counciD have made 1T ridicu-
lous. By these actions it has caused an
impression that it might do something unlaw-
full. But that does not give any ole the risnt
to abrogate the right Of free speech. II any
speaker at a meeting of tne council makes
Il reasonable utterances he or she may De
taken from the hall and put in jail. Counter
agitation on the part OF patriotic citizens
and not violations Of constitutional rights
is the way to defeat the sort of propaganda
that the Peoples Council stands for
A similar protest is voiced by the Broth
erhood of Metal Workers, convened IN
Brooklyn.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09
JUDGE Speers Decision SURPRISING "The !efersonian"

existence of an organized propaganda to dis
credit and handicap the government in the
prosecution of the war, declared that such
matter is in violation of Section 3 of Title
| and Sections / and Of Title IL OF the
espionage act and is nonmailable.
TN SUCH crises in Lacedsmon the Spartan
J. mother, when her son went forth into
battle, was accustomed to exclaim, Return
on your shield or with it. How dissimilar
and sordid is the cowardice The JeFer-
sonian" would encourage!
What about carload of German soap
made out of our boys?
What about manurng German fields
with our bravest youths, and fattening
German hogs with the choicest selection
from American manhood?
"I raised my boy to be soldier says
the song, but did mother raise him to be
a pig feed?'
Had the Postmaster General longer per
mitted the use of the great postal system
which he controls for the dissemination Of
such poison it would have been TO forego
the opportunity to serve his country afford
ed by his lofty station.
There is. moreover. an additional consid-
Grafton of the weightiest character, which
obiges the denial OF such injunction as
is there sought. An appeal is made to the
American court of equity to oblige the postal
authorities OF our country TO contribute its
mailing facilities for the furtherance anti
success of propaganda against the nation,
as distinct as ii is truculent and dangerous.
Under the familiar rule Of equity, such an
appeal is addressed largely 20 the discretion
of the court. It is 20 be determined by the
conscience of the chancellor. and always with
the proper regard 70 the public welfare. This
imports the country'S welfare. And party
seeking this extraordinary remedy under a
rule equally familiar must come into court
with clean hands. Can one be said TO come
with clean hands when the policy, methods
and EFFORTS he would maintain may cause his
hands to be imbrued in the blood of the de-
noralized and the defeated army of his
countrymen7
II by such propaganda American soldiers
may be convinced that they are the victims
Of lawless and unconstitutional oppression.
vain indeed will be the efforts 10 make their
deeds rival the glowing traditions of their
hero strain. On the contrary, the world will
behold America degradation and shame, the
dsintegrstion under fire Of our lines Of bat
tie. the iuglorious flight Of our defenders
like the recent debacle of the Russian army,
brought about by methods much the same
as the ultimate conquest OF our country, the
destruction OF It's institutions and the perish.
ing of the popular government on earth.
The preliminary iniunction is denied
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09

ter General that the publication was not a
newspaper in the meaning of the law confer
ring the second class privilege, directed thaC
the respondent should file specifications or
all such matters. This has been accordingly
donc and thus the question is presented:
10 the facts and the determinations OF the
Postmaster General demand or JUSTIFY
court of the United States in the interfer-
ence here sought with an administrative
branch of government!
IN THE affidavit of the Postmaster General,
| after the specifications required b. the
court of the passages in The Jefersonian
beId nv him to be unavailable, there appears
the following statement:
Deponent further says that, r. his
iudcment. in their entirety, the issues
Of "The Jeffersonisn" evince purpose
and intent on the part of the publisher
10 willingly make or convey false re-
ro,,s or false statements with the intent
70 interfere with the naval or military
forces of the United States, to willingly
obstruct the recruiting or enlistment
services Of the United States to the in
iury Of the service, and that the c,rcu-
Ia.ion Of such matter is causing an
taconism and resistance among the peo-
Mo IN the conduct of the war with re
spect to enlistments, execution OF the
draft and the sale Of bonds TO raise
revenue TO carry on the war
The Postmaster General further states,
under the sanction of his oath, that he is
advised and believes that there is an or
ganized propaganda which has infamed a
large body OF people to such an extent that
il constitutes in effect the advocacy OF trea-
son. insurrection and forcible resistance to
the laws of the United States. Upon such
informston he states that he has been actu-
ally threatened. and that prominent among
tho qualifications thus engaged is "The Jeffer-
sonian."
For the same reason and because 1t con-
tanned matter Of the same unavailable de-
scripton. the Postmaster General after eS-
animation caused the postmaster at Thomson
20 be advised that the issue Of August is
was also unavailable. Thus It will be seen
that the court was advised Of the concurrent
opinion Of the two members Of the Cabinet,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09
n~ oft Choins Me in kintest
" Regarts. Wilhelm.

The fight on Senators accused OF dis
Ioval sentiments owing to obstructionist
tactics in Congress SINNERS apace, with
Senator Gore, Of Oklahoma, temporarily
superseding Senator La Toilette in dis
favor among his constituents. The press
of Oklahoma is practically unanimous in
demanding that he cease his Senatorial
nagging or resign. Get right or get out,
says "The Daily OkIahoman," which fur
Their characterzes him in the following
satirical fashion:
"Senator Won Gore to der citizens of Hugo
dot he resign viii has rebIied, provided der
president and her oder members of Con-
gress der same do. Dot a rash brobositon
i5s., but vot can you from tare-teyii like
Won Gore egGspect!
Let US dot der president and der oder
members of Congress Won Cores brobositlon
half accepted assume. Den vair shall We 1T
be? A government midout. Uncle Sam in
? state of SUSPENDED animation isg. Brosecu-
ton Of der var suttenly stop shall. Our sol
diers in France-raus NIT 'em. In der gam
tonments der same alretty yet. On vacation
der liperty loans, des ship putting, var
tax pills. foot control, eggemption boarts
shall go Not yum tsmn Ding doing.
FREDDY soft for der kaiser Not will him
imberial machesty say? he will blenty say.
He vii wireless TO Washington: 'Mein leber
Won Gore: Du Dist elm plppin. You are my
yin -der-yar senator. Go't cholns me IN
kintest regarts. Wilhelm
Draft riots are also laid at Cores door,
and the Governor Of Oklahoma is even
quoted as being willing to accept his reSig-
Lation.
Senator La Toilette gets off easier than
usual. facing little beside Colonel Roose-
velt's advice to ship him and Mr.. Stone to
Germany.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09
rganized Labor as an
. Exponent Of Americanism

The position of organized labor, headed
by Samuel Gompers, is daily assuming
greater Importance, following the outburst
against the council. Even President Will
son appears with notable letter to Mr..
Gompers, scoring pacifsts in general,
while very evidently aiming at the council.
mo one who is not blind" wrote the Pres
ident, "can fail to see that the battle line
of democracy for America stretches to-day
rom the fields of Flanders TO every house
and workshop where toiling, upward striv-
ing men and women are counting the treas
ures of right and justice and liberty which
are being threatened by our present enc
mics. 1t may we'll be that those
among US who stand ready to forward the
plans of aggression do not understand the
language Of democracy
| Actual assembly of the Gompers Amerl-
can Alliance for Labor and Democracy in
Minneapolis brings the suggestion that out
of the protest against the laundering paci-
fists and the cry for the maintenance of
what labor is to gain from the war will
emerge new party a labor party compar-
able in influence perhaps to that headed in
England by Arthur Henderson. Frank P,
Walsh, over-chairman of the Federal Com
mission on Industrial Relations, thus
voices the aim of the loyal labor conven-
ton in Tribune dispatch:
I'VE are here to plan the enthusiastic sup
port of the most democratic war ever fought
and to hold for democracy the things that
war has brought it,
Evidences of restiveness, however
throughout the country on the score OF
"enemies within" appear on many grounds
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09
"imrose Path of Anti-Americanism Is Rock-StreWn

From Georgia comes news that Tom Wat
sons "Jeffersonian" is definitely barred
as a seditious publication following ali APP
peal against its original suppression.
The text Of Judge Speer's decision in this
case is printed elsewhere on this page.)
In approving the ban THE Dallas Morn
ing News voices the general opinion that
there is not another country in the world
which, during the progress of the war,
would have tolerated the seditionary and
reasonable activities which at least q
score Of German language newspapers
have engaged in since the United States
entered the war
Hold your tongue and obey the COM
mands Of those in authority" adds The
Nashville Tennesseean." Help to ami
hilate the enemy and then We may discuss
our differences among ourselves
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09

Again. in the issue of July 10, is a state
ment aimed at the Chief Magistrate of the
United States That it is false, that it was
intended to interfere with the operation
or success Of our forces, that IL was an
attempt 10 cause INSTRUMENTATION, disloyalty,
mutiny or refusal Of duty by them, the Post
master General might we'll conclude.
Docs he-the President-not know
that the CONSUMPTION act, forcing citl-
zens out of the Union to die in Belgium
and France, is every bit az lawless as the
action Of the Phelps Dodge Copper Com
pany in forcing these 100 miners out Of
Arizona? What are LOO miners to 6s5,-
600 conscrpts whom our Cesar has CON
demned to death on foreign fields OF
bood'?"
Nor is such reference as the following TO
the commander in chief of the Army and
Navy OF the United States, made in time OF
war. deterrent TO characterization, disloyalty,
mutiny or refusal TO duty:
Are we-like the SOW returning to her
walow and the dog to her vomit-to go
back to the medievalism of personal rule
a Popes word ruling the Church, the
kings word ruling the state?
"Whv not call Woodrow Wilson by the
name of the King or the Kaiser or the
Gar If the Constitution is to be treated
as the Kaiser treated the Belgium
treaty?
THE Kaiser did not swear TO support
the Belgium treaty. Woodrow wilson
did swear to support the Constitution.
"And now. within six months after taxi
ing that solemn and public OATH the
Conrressmen and President who did 30
are treating the Constitution exactly as
the Kaiser treated the Belgium treaty.
Nor does Congress escape. On page OF
the issue OF July 10 is printed the vote OF
the House on he question 10 create Ma
tional Army. This, under the title, These
REPRESENTATIVES in Congress, Lower House,
who Confscated the Liberty and Lives OF
Your Sons
A. more direct but not more effective ef"
fort TO obstruct the recruiting or enlistment
service Of the United States appears on page
Of this issue Of July %, 1917;
'"I advise the conscripts TO await the
decision Of the United States Supreme
Court. and not TO be dubbed oy the fact
OF conscription into enlistment. once
YOU volunteer, and sign up, you can be
sent anywhere and the law can't help
you"
Eoualv but not more unavailable. IN con-
,emnlstion of the act Of Congress above
Quoted is the issue OF August Is. In the
sAidavits' before the court the postmaster
General. as we have seen, after charging the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09
GLAUCON-Right, | suppose.

GLAUCON-Right, suppose.
OCRATES-Again, those who assert
that the voice Of the God forbids them to
fight, falsely indeed but nevertheless be-
lieving it true Cfor perchance their souls
are little deaf, or in some other way
they msconstrue what the God says to
themJ-are these men doing right or
wrong in obeying what they believe to be
the command Of the God?
GLAUCON-These also arc doing right,
I suppose, although most absurdly mis-
taken.
SOCRATES-Ye you would not, as
diRast, be very severe, ] think, on any
man for doing right; whether actually, as
in the former case, or supposedly, as in
this latter?
AUCON-Perhaps not, Socrates. But
on the rest, ! mean the wilful liars, |
would have no mercy.
SOCRATES-Nor |, Glaucon, il ! could
distinguish them. But will tell you
something. walked yesterday with
Isagoras, the orator, in his garden. where
was q patch Of myrtle seedlings sprout-
ing, all very thick together, like green
carpet. "These grow too thick, lsagoras,'
said J. ny 40 you not thlh the"'
"Nay, but much of what you see is only
weeds said he. Then why not pluck out
those weeds ?" said |. Because" said
he. "the weeds are not yet distinguishable
from the others. and | will not run the
risk of uprootng even one of my pre-
cious myrtlesl" Do you see what Is IN
ms mind, Pythias?
PYTHIAS-I think so, Socrates. You
tell us, in a figure that you would sooner
let the whole body of the accused go free,
liars and ALL than risk being too severe
on even one man who does what he hon
estly believes the God commands him.
SOCRATES Such is the case with me-
Pythas, even if the truthful were but one
and the liars many, instead of almost IN
the inverse ratio, as we have them here
GLAUCON-Bu this is TO let these I'M
sious liars go wholly unpublished.
SOCRATES Say not "unpunished,
Glaucon. For who knows what terrible
retribution the God may have in store for
such wretches? To whom, as TO the
greatest OF all dikasts, let us now leave
them, and to the jeers of the citizens, and
20 their own eternal self-contempt, which
i. I think, the bitterest punishment oil
all.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09

the department chief and the chief law Off
Ger of the department, in justification Of the
action of which the plaintiff complains
A supreme measure OF legislation enacted
By Congress for the successful prosecution
Of the great war in which the country is en-
gagged, termed the espionage act, IN Title !,
Section 3. declares that whoever when the
United States is at war, shall willingly make
or convey false reports or false statements
with the intent 10 interfere with the opera
ton of the military or naval forces OF the
United States, or to promote the success 81
its enemies, and whoever when the United
States is at war, shall willingly cause or
attempt TO cause nsubordination, dlsloyaity,
mutiny or refusal Of duty in the military
or naval forces Of the United States, or shall
wilfuly obstruct the recruiting or enlist
ment services OF the United States, snail De
punished by fine, etc.
In connection with this Section OF llte
II Of the same act must be considered. inns
declared that "every letter, newspaper, ETC.
in violation of any OF the provisions OF tnis
act is hereby declared 10 be non-mailaole'
and shall not be offered in the mails or de-
livered from any postoffce or any carrier.
The light afforded by these sections OF
valid and vital law shone upon pages Of The
Jeffer.onian" when they were under scrutiny
of the members Of the Presidents Cabinet
Congress having declared war Thousands OF
the elite of the American army were on the
soil of France. At any moment the crash OF
their rife fire and the thunders OF their
artillery in vindication and defence OF human
liberty might be heard. American men-of-
war, manned by Americans. were swiftly
cIeavinp the waters forbidden BY the enemy
10 our commerce. questing every billow Tor
his lurking and deadly craft. BY thousands
the gallant youth Of every American state
were rallying TO the flag In vast oversuo-
script!on of the Liberty bonds our people
had proven that in the common cause they
will be as lavish of their own treasure AS
of their blood. With the utmost nobility OF
soul with the self-sacrificial spirit Of woman
in the humane Red Cross and similar or
CARNATIONS. our country's daughters were no
whit behind her sons.
4 T THIS junction of the nations lie the
~ Postmaster General and the Attorney
General have discovered in the PLAINTIFFS
publications, which the government. through
its mail. was distributing 10 its people, such
passages as this, taken from the issue OF
June Is:
"Men conscripted 20 20 20 Europe are
virtually condemned to death, and every
body knows il. President Wilson sd-
mitted as much in his Flag Day address.
why is your boy condemned 10 die IN
Europe"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09
NIr. Gompers Wanted to Show the
wi Council Up

efenders-though not supporters-of
the council, on the ground that it was
denied both the right of free speech and
free assembly, are not wanting-but for
widely different reasons. Mr.. Gompers
and his friends begged that the council
he allowed to meet at Minneapolis so that
It might be thoroughly shown up. "The
Boston Journal" disapproves because it
Goes not want another martyr crop"
This form of dealing with a convention"
says The Journal. "embOdies exactly the
same brand of suppression as has been en-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09
SHARPER definition of what con

SHARPER dennlVon OF WhaI con-
4 s,;tutes free speech, and a sepa-
~ ration Of the harmless pacifists'
.,s "pro-Germau pacifstS" appear.
i'Cm from press comments, TO be two
llat,,, results Of the Peoples Councils
P's ,,v in finding a place in the Middle
cIn," - meet. And quite as interesting,
We. = not 50 mach remarked upon, is the
'''Ds conflict Of authority between gov
nus. and mayors Of cities which has
a: :,.o from the difficulty,
" : virneto,s, Wisconsin and Illinois
=. coycrtors refused welcome TO the
'l' II after three mayors had, while in
o !. ~ Dakota mayor reversed gov
' ,, IL the activities Of the council dur
- Ms week oyershadowed the usual out
ing Of seditious, reasonable and
'.t' 3isloyal activities represented ny the
- -. an various United States Senators,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09

GLAuCON Socrates, and on that
account they have always been jeered at
BY the mass OF the Athenians
SOCRATES But If they had kept their
conscience to themselves, would they then
have been jeered at?
GLAUCON-Evidently not
SOCRATES These Friends" arc not
generally considered fools or madmen, /
believe, Glaucon?
GLAUCON-On the contrary. they are
accounted among the shrewdest OF the
citizens.
SOCRATES And would any. except
fools or madmen, have voluntarily pub
lished lies about their conscience at
time when there was no advantage to
gain. but only the certainty of getting
themselves jeered at!
GLAUCON not
SOCRATES we may infer, 1t
seems to me. that these Friends assert
what they assert truthfully.
GLAUCON--The "Friends" may do so,
but all the rest, at any rate, are wilful
liars.
SOCRATES Nay, Glaucon, but have
found among my own acquaintance many
indeed who often say false things, be-
lieving them to be true. but not many who
often say false things, knowing them TO
be false. And so | think we may justly
assume of any other body of men in about
the same proportion--of these accused for
instance. Indeed, as dikasts, whose duty
it is to give accused persons the benefit
of any doubt. we are even bound to as
sumo il, are we not!
GLAUCON-As dkasts, Socrates, per-
haps We are.
SOCRATES Then, as it seems TO me,
we have now divided those who assert
that their conscience forbids them TO
fight into three degrees-trst, those who
assert it truthfuliy; next, those who as
sert it falsely, indeed, but believing 1t to
be true; and, lastly, those quite lew,
as | estmate) who assert it falsely know
ing it to be false. Or will you not assent
to this division?
PYTHIAS-I cannot deny that it ap-
pears we'll made.
SOCRATES-Bu you, Glaucon, tell me,
coming back to those who truthfully as
sert that conscience that is 10 say, the
voice of the Cod forbids them to fight
are they doing right or wrong in obeying
the voice of the God?