The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1918-11-23
Peace Hath Her VIct0neS, No
Less Ren0W,ned Than WaY''
By MARVIN BROWN

the purpose OF sanping out dsloyalty to this gov
ernment, the people were still patient-and they
are yet patent-but they expect to be able, in the
very near future to not only revert back to the old
order but to an order more liberal and more in line
with the ideals for which they have fought than they
have ever before enjoyed, in consequence whereof
we can again acclaim that "peace hath her victories,
no less renowned than war;"
Fortunately most of this restrictive legislation,
acceptable in times of war but reprehensible in
times of peace, expires automatically with the dec
laration Of peace.
If, perchance, there is some that may not, and
g oar Lawmakers SO far lose sight Of their obliga-
tions as to fail to repeal it, or if they should make
the mistake of attempting to make it permanent,
Il course they wH be ouertGken by the wrath Of the
uoting public at the proper time and buried for
ever in the graveyard Of political oblivion.
The iniquitouS Zone Law which was passed as
revenue producer and war necessity is absolutely
indefensible in times of peace If allowed to stand
it is destined to finally destroy all publications with
national crculations, for many have already gone
out Of business as result Of it, and as it is grad
uated, getting more burdensome from year to year.
it is destined to finally ruin the majority and prov
jncialize the remainder. To allow such a law to
stand on the federal statutes is not only indefensble
on the ground that it is death blow to the great
est educational agency in the world, the press, but
1T rs PERNTCTOUS, IN, THAT 1T STRIKES
FATALLY At THE PRINCIPLES OF THE
FREEDOM or SPEECH AND OF THE PRESS.
No politician, in the future, can defend his cause
1sfore the American people for the second time if
he shall have had the opportunity to move for the
repeal of this un-American measure and failed to
make that move
What can be said Of the Zone Law can like.
wise be said of the espionage act Of the print paper
restrictions of the War Industries Board; the rul
ing against the establishment Of additional news,
papers; the control of the "news wire" by the gov,
ornment, giving it control Of the best organized
function Of the entire telegraph service and making
it possible for the administration in power to be
the news censor Of the nation and the many other
repressiye measures of minor import, all Of which,
put together, look like nothing more nor less than
comprehensive plan 10 reduce the American press
10 tho Nero level Of Uassal submissive to the whims
Of tho parties in power and utterly incapable Of
performing its natural functions and its duty to
3Rhe public
Nineteen months ago the president Of the
United States stood in the halls Of congress and
announced that America had entered the great war
iH tho interests Of humanity and for the purpose
of making the world safe for democracy,
On Monday, November 18th, ho stood in the
halls Of tho sanc congress and announced that our
purposes had boon accomplished and that the war
was over.
And what glorious achievement It is, II our
leaders wore in earnest and Il We ere to got what
we fought for!
II wc do not got IL, as promised Is 1t a far.
fetched prediction to say that wo viii take it'
All glory and honor to the men and movements
who have played tho game fair and whose records
will bear Investigation when the censorship lid Ia
lifted, BUT WOE TO THOSE WHO HAVE BE.
TRAYFD THEIR TRUSTS If ANY THERE
BE AMONG USI
q The next objeetives are the peace treaty and the
reconstruction. God speed their coming, and may
the fruit Of 1t all be worldwide democracy, rich
in It's blessings and such as that Of which dreamert
have dreamt all down the ages.
LONG LIVE AMERICA!