TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1917-08-09

- SNNAH9 ~ ~ ~@
to ban the Socialist press from
the mails.
We think this is a dangerous
policy and will in the end prove
a very serious mistake. 1t is
always a mistake to attempt to
suppress freedom Of speech and
freedom of printing.
The American theory, the de-
mocratic theory and the true
theory is that every citizen
should be permitted to voice
freely his opinions, whether by
word Of mouth or upon the
printed page, even though those
opinions be wholly extravagant
and unsound. There remains
always the punishment Of the
law if the spoken or printed
words are libtlous, scandalous
or seditious.
Suppression Of a free press,
no matter how injudicious the
free expression of opinion may
be. violates the citizens con-
stitutional rights and is direct
" and squarely opposed to the
American theory Of government.
One does not need to believe
in the Socialist theory and the
Socialist doctrine in order to
resent and to protest against an
indefensible and unconstitution'
al attack upon the Liberties OF
the Socialist press.
Whatever its merits or its de-
merits may be, the Socialist
party is a recognized and
established political party in
this country and in other coun-
tries.
Members Of the Socialist
party have both the moral and
the political right to urge their
doctrines and to publish their
teachings. even though their
teachings be opposed to wal OF
any other policy Of government
The Socialist theory Of eco
Monies and government is and
always has been a radical theory
but its radioalism has not pre-
vented the Democratic party
the Progressive party and even
the Republican party from ap.
propriating and championing
large part OF. the Socialist
party's political platform.
For example, the initiative
the referendum, the recall, gov.
eminent control OF railroads
government ownership and oper.
alton Of the merchant marine
and State and municipal owner.
ship and control of such public
utilities as street railways, tele
phone companies and gas anC
electric plants are all purely
Socialistic measures. In theil
essence they recognize and pu
in practise the Socialist doctrine
Of the direct control OF govern
ment by the people and thu
common ownership of the mean.
and tools Of production.
We feel quite sure that til,
influence OF Socialist teaching.
has been a very good influencI
in this country and Throughout
the world.
The Socialist party, OF course
has members who are fool
ish and mischievous and ar
undesirable citizens, but so ha
every other party.
1t is just as possible for citi
zens to be undesirable who ar
excessively reactionary and i'm
perialistic as it is for citizen
to be undesirable who are ultra
radical and socialists. The So
eialist party should be judge
by the total result OF its actiy
tiles and its teachings.
A propaganda which, upo.
the whole, has exerted an in
fluence so useful and so benc
fetal as that Of the Socialis
party should certainly not
suppressed upon grounds {
public expediency. But even
the Socialist propaganda ha
not demonstrated its public b,
neft SO convincingly, the sur
preston of free printing an
free speech is always in itse
an obnoxious and a dangerou
policy.
If the Socialist press can /
suppressed because its teaching
do not happen to suit the Az
ministration which is in powe