The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-05-16


clergy, though the court could COM
mute the sentence from death to SER
vice for three years in the navy of the
United States
1t was sufficient that a man might
make trouble. He could be impris-
oned without any evidence that he
had committed overt acts other than
by word of mouth.
John Kelly, Philip Herrewig and
others this day brought in and deliv-
cred to the Board the following per-
sons to wit, Emmerigh Plass, Michael
Plass, John Dorm and John George
Emmerigh as persons disaffected to
the caunse of America and whose 60
ing at large might be dangerous to
1.-THE state, together with the arms of
Emmerigh Plsss, Michael Plass and
John Dorm"
Thousands Of suspects were called
up by the boards for detecting and de-
feating conspiracies, according to the
records compiled by Paltists, state
historian of New York. Many of these
were examined and discharged be-
cause the evidence did not show dis
loyalty. In case of any doubt the
accused was made to give bond and
often to report to the commissioners
at set intervals, as boys now do to
the juvenile courts.
A great many others were confined
for time and then released. We
read under date Of May II. IT'S:
Joseph Concklin of Newtown was
liberated on entering into recogni-
Izance for good behavior and monthly
appearance
Joseph Concklin on recognizance
in G1O0.
! William Barton has bail in 800. .
In view of the question that has
arisen during the present war about
reprisals in the matter of treatment
of prisoners, it is interesting to re-
call that in Revolutionary days the
rigor Of the treatment to adherents OF
king George was based upon that
which was given to Wing prisoners
by the enemy
Persons who refused to give infor.
nation about suspected traitors were
themselves arrested and flung into
prison This applied to women as
well as men
The pro-German propaganda has
Isince the war began talked grea,
deal about freedom of speech. HI
charges that we are abandoning the
standards set by our Revolutionary
forefathers when we curtail mans
right to voice publicly whatever h.
wants to say. Since the United States
has always stood for free speech ant
q free press, many good citizens hav,
been puzzled how to answer these as
sertions.
The facts are quite otherwise
While the colonies were fighting To-
independence, Tories were not per
mitted to prach whatever doctrine
they liked, to consort with enemies O
the people, or in general to show {
spirit of disaffection.
Disturbing and harmful parties wer,
fined, deported, interned, imprisoned
and, in the case Of spies, hanged Oul
Revolutionary forefathers were yer,
business-like in their methods O
treating the disloyal. They went af
ter them as terrier does after a rat
Never in this country has there beer
freedom of speech in the sense that {
man could say what he wanted t.
without being responsible for hi
words. No freedom of that kind evel
has existed anywhere in the world.
man could talk in Revolutionary days
but if he said improper things he hat
ito suffer the consequences. So It II
in time Of peace. All our laws OF
SANDER and libel are based on thi'
principle. When an individual feel
he is injured wrongly he can sue
The redress of the state, in case
determines that the talker is public
enemy, lies through criminal action
The right of freedom of speech i
hedged about with restrictions.
But in war times the liberty Of tn
individual has always been still fur
Their abridged This is true becaus
he is one Of the group which make
lup the nation. To give aid and com
, fort to the enemy Injuries every ma
in the state. Therefore society take
away from the individual the power I
abuse freedom Of speech and action
I 1t suggests that he moderate the e1
preston Of his views. II he is a per
sistent offender it imprisons him, An
! IL his offense runs to treason it ma
stand him with his back to a wall bt
fore firing squad. These power