The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-10-13

ture wars except in case of actual in
vasion unless supported by referen-
dunn. The president has asked the
German people to speak for them
selves on this great world issue. Why
should not the American people voice
their convictions through their chosen
representatives in congress?"
Free Speech Violated.
Emphasizing, denial of free speech,
Senator La Toilette added:
There has never been a time for
more than century and a half when
the right OF free speech and free press
and the right of the people peacably
to assemble for public discussion has
been so violated among English
speaking people as they are violated
today throughout the United States.
I'm time of war, even more than in
time of peace, whether citizens hap-
pen to agree with the ruling opinion
or not, these previous fundamental
personal rights-free speech, free
press. and right of assemblage, so ex-
plicitly and emphatically guaranteed
by the constitution should be main-
tanned inviolable."
War Used As Excuse?
"But more than this, if every pre-
paration for war can be made the ex-
cuse for destroying free speech and
free press and the right Of the people
to assemble together for peaceful dis
cussion. then we may we'll despair Of
ever again finding our services for
a long period in a state Of peace"
Constitutional
president to fix the war purposes, he
questioned by implication
1T may be said that the duty Of
the president to enforce the laws of
the country carries with it by impli-
cation control over the military forces
for that purpose and that the deci-
sion as to when the laws are violated
and the manner in which they should
! be redressed rests with the president
The question of enforcing the laws
of the United States, however, does
not arise in the pl resent discussion.
The laws of the United States have no
effect outside the territory of the
United States"
, Right to Fight Bad Laws.
1T is the citizens duty to obey the
! law until it is repealed or declared
unconstitutional. But, he has the in
alienable right to fight what he
deems an obnoxious law or a wrong
full policy in the courts and at the
| ballot box
| 1T is the suppressed emotion of
the masses that breeds revolution. If
the American people are to carry on
this great war, if public opinion is to
| he on1iDhfaro6 Qod mt
must be free discussion.
May Bear Wars Brunt.
! "Gradually, reluctantly, congress
and the country are beginning to per-
ceive that we are in this terrific
world conflict, not only to right the
Wrongs, not only to aid the allies,
not only to share its awful, death toll
| and it's fearful tax burdens, but per-
haps to bear the brunt of the war.
And so I say if we are to forestall
the danger OF being drawn into years
| Of war, perhaps finally to attain i'm
perialism and exploitation, the people
must unite in a campaign along con-
stitutional lines. along free discussion
Of the policy Of the war and its con-
clusion on just basis"
"Shall we ask the people to shut
their eyes and take the entire swar
program on faith?" he asked. THE
way to paralyze the German arm, Is
to declare our objects in this war and
show that we are not seeking to die
tate form of government to Ger
many or to render England's domina-
ton Of the seas moro secure. When
the objects of this war are clearly
stated and the people approve. they
will give popular support it will never
otherwise receive"