New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-05

visions that will go out to the people
because through his mental processes
are to be filtered the intellectual and
moral pabulum to feed the people Of
the republic in day Of peril and in
an hour of storm ?"
II disagree entirely" Interrupted
| Senator Reed, with every word writ
ten in these editorials by Mr.. Creel.
believe that they indicate an intellect
and character utterly contemplate.
nevertheless assert that in free
republic men have the right, in the
exercise of the freedom of speech, to
write even as scurrlous, as abusive
and as untrue articles as those just
read. If such articles would come
under this bill, then the bill is too
broad. You can we'll leave the trial
OF the gentleman in question to the
nigh court of public opinion and trust
the intelligent American people pro-
perly to estimate the character Of the
man."
~ should like to ask" said Senator Fall
OF New Mexico, where the verdict of
public opinion has landed Mr.. Creel 2"
Until very recently, it gave him his
proper place" said Senator Reed. 81
think the President, perhaps, before he
appointed Mr.. Creel had not had these
editorials brought to his attention."
Senator Borah said the editorials
might be admissible in time of peace,
attacking our form of government as
they did, and added that the people in
time of war can be trusted to take the
matter in their own hands il such
articles appear now.
claimed, fought such a man be given
high place in this government? We are
in war at this time to make the
world safe for democracy. What kind
of democracy? The democracy that
we enjoyed at the beginning of this
contest or the kind of democracy that
George Creel describes? Because | de-
nounce that as a foul Islander upon
the United States at the time it was
uttered by Creel whatever the purpose
which may have animated him"
Senator Watson then proceeded to
read more of Creel's radical editorials
One of them attacked the President of
the United States (then Mr.. Taft),
the Supreme Court and the leaders Of
the Catholic hierarchy in America.
Watson Urges Removal
"This charges a conspiracy against
lie very democracy that we are sup
posed to be modifying our soldiers to
d 7fend over yonder. Ought this SWIVEL
ing sneerer, the author of such articles
as | have read, be permitted to hold
absolute power over the news at a
time such as this? Ought ~ot the
Senators of the United States to ask
for his removal because of these sedi-
tious utterances? Is he worthy longer
to hold that position Of trust and re-
sponsibiity and power In this dcmo-
cratic government while we are fight
ing to make the world safe for the
kind Of democracy which we believe is
constitutional and cnduring?"
Senator Borah asked what, in the
legal parlance, is the meaning OF the
word calculated" which appears as the
ment Senator Walsh replied that:
at signifies generally such language
as to the ordinary mind would bring
the Constitution into contempt
II Think" said Senator Borah, chat
1t would be wise to use the word IN
tended
II am given to understand" inter
rupted Senator Thomas, chat GER
tain member Of this Congress feels it
to be his duty, and has said so, to sup
port any and all measures desired by
the Administration for the prosecution
of the war, whether they are in his
view unconstitutional or not (Shep-
I pard) Would the Senator regard
statements of that sort as calculated
to bring the Constitution into disre-
pute? 2"
81 would not think" replied Senator
Walsh, that that would be a crime
under this proposed act"
"This bill will not touch single spy
or single German agent" said Sen
ator Lodge. "They do not go around
uttering, publishing or writing. The
dangerous men keep quiet"
81 call everybody a spy who aids the
enemy-thats what l call spy" said
Senator Ovcrman.
"That is definition as broad as it
is new" said Senator Lodge.
ut sounds like campaign speech,
said Senator Penrose.