The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-13

the federal constitution guaranteeing the
OF the press did not thus safeguard those
rights for the sake alone of persons who
were to enjoy them. but even more because
they knew that the republic which they
we're founding could not be worked on any
other basis.
1t has been clear that that crime cannot be
committed by words, unless one acts as
spy or gives advice to the enemy Of mill
tary or naval operations. It cannot be
committed by statements rejecting upon
officers or measures of government
implies the right to say foolish things. The
answer to foolish speech is wise speech.
If the American neople are permitted freely
to hear foolish and wise speech, a majority
will choose the wise.
the freedom of the press: Let truth and
error grapple. Whoever knew truth to be
beaten in fair, fight?'"
The Lincoln and Free Speech arti-
Gle continues as follows:
1.-The following extracts from
Lincoln's speeches during the Mexican
war time about the then president,
are illuminating to those who do not
understand that one of the highest
and most patriotic duties to be per-
formed at this time is to tell the truth
whenever it becomes necessary in or
der to force our government to speed
up the war.
Lincoln justified himself for vot-
ing in favor of a resolution cenSoring
and during the war which was then
going on. January IL, 1S4S, saying
The president falls far short of prov
ing his justification. He would have
gone further with his proof If 1t had
not been for the small matter that
the truth would not permit him. The
presidents message is from beginning
to end the sheerest deception. Let
him answer fully, fairly and candidly
with facts, not arguments; let him re-
member he sits where Washington sat
and so remembering, let him answer
as Washington would answer: let him
attempt no evasion, no equivocation.
In other words. Lincoln says he
did not wish rhetoric or fine phrases,
the adroit and subtle pleadings and
reversal of positions previously held.
Lin colin continues in saying that
! President Polk had bungled his work:
| was perplexed.
Lincoln had to deal with various
| critics of the acknowledgements
type. He explains that President
! Folks supporters 'untiring in their
efforts that all should vote supplies
OF take rart in the war do not OF
necessity approve the presidents con-
duct; out that he uincoln) distin-
gushed between the two and voted
| for supplies and men, but denounced
!
the administration
Lincoln said to give the president
the power demanded for him by some
people would place the president
where kings have always stood.
Roosevelt continues, Ito the presi-
dents several party supporters Lin
coin makes a distinction which also
applies at the present time. 'Distinc-
! - -
/ dent and the cause of the country, you
cannot make; to you the country and
! the president seem to be one; we see
the distinction clear enough.
Roosevelt holds that our loyalty is
due solely to the American republic
and to all our public servants exactly
in the proportion as they faithfully
and efficiently serve the republic. We
should stand by the president so fan
as he serves the republic; we viii
stand by the national government In
all things which are essential to bring
the present war to a successful end
nations cause i shall support every
official from the president down who
does we'll, and shall oppose every suct
official who does ill; 1 shall not pu
the personal comfort of the president
or any public servant above the vel
fare of the country.
1--WE cannot quote Lincoln too otter
now 1 here vouchsafed.
I'VE cannot quote Lincoln TOT
often" said the colonel. IT am glat
you like the Metropolitan article
While we were sitting there {
string of cards came toward him
that is, if a card about every fiv'
minutes could be called a part of {
string. AS we went along, the colone
picked up one card saying Pleas
tell the gentleman to wait a few
moments" and again, Say 1 will b.
with him pretty soon." and ASK hin
to wait in the lobby"
|, 1t is understood that this write
speaks without any authority from
Colonel Roosevelt, either expressed O
implied. The latter has no knowledg
, of this article and most assured.
. made no suggestion that anything o
this sort be written.
II IT wonder. Colonel, if you hav
Z read Meredith Nicholsons 'Middl
West Politics. in the current numbe
: of ScribRer's -
The Colonel had not. He is busie
than 1. Scribner's had just been GU
a few days and 1 had found time t.
go thru the article, because it inter
ested me vitality.
Here I offered. in substance:
'sMr Nicho1con ovi1onfIy ,,n5~-
: stands his subject He PRACTICAL
: classifies as the middle west all tina
1 part Of the country between the ALLIE
ghenies and the Rockies. He say
: the people out there like to hea
speakers-statesmen, politicians an
e others who show clearly a human in
/ terest in their affairs and who under
C stand the home folks
a Nicholson might have applied hi
= same thoughts to the Pacific coas