New-York tribune., 1918-05-25
Words Out of Place


More important, we think, than the
conviction of Rose Pastor Stokes was an
oblique aspect of the trial which, owing
to the delicate nature of its implications,
is not easily dealt with as it deserves to-
be. But as it cannot be ignored, and as
the pretence of ignoring it from sense
of false propriety may be misunderstood
by people of alien and rebellious moods,
we purpose to challenge it frankly.
In the news report of the trial tele-
graphed from Kansas City Wednesday
night the following paragraph appeared:
"Mrs. Stokes testified that Woodrow
Wilson's book The New Freedom had
been instrumental in shaping her views
on capitalism, and extracts from the book
were read to the jury. 1t was explained
that the book was written before the
war"
The explanation should go further.
The book was produced before the war
began in Europe. Strictly speaking, it
was never written. The President in
the preface says: ~ have not written
a book since the campaign [meaning the
campaign of 1921. did not write this
book at all. 1T is the result of the edi-
torial literary skill of Mr.. William Bay
ard Hale, who has put together here in
their right sequence the more suggestive
portions of my campaign speeches."
Therefore, the book was compiled, not
written; and it was compiled from Mr.
Wilson's public speeches.
But all explanation is beside the main
point. The point is that book called
"The New Freedom" by President Will
son, contains passages which may be
quoted by extremists like Rose Pastor
Stokes in support of such opinions on
war and capitalism as now are forbidden
by the government to be publicly ex-
pressed.
This fact taken by itself is startling,
not because we did not know it before,
but because we had almost forgotten it,
Radicals, no doubt, will cite it further
in their own defence, privately and
publicly. They will make much of the
apparent inconsistency that revolution
ary" social views somewhat correspond
ing to those of the President are taboo
in war time. Indeed, the point may be
pressed to a most unexpected issue
Since the conviction of Rose Pastor
Stokes The Tribune has been asked to
say whether it would be proper for
publication secretly opposed to the war
and violently ant-capitalistic to print
as its own certain radical passages from
THE New Freedom" especially one in
which "bloodless" revolution is dis
cussed; and whether publication that
did SO would be taken up under the
espionage act.
We accept the question squarely. 1t
would be improper for such a publica,.
ton now to print those passages either
as Its own or as the Presidents, with
intent to foment emotional distractions
or to embarrass the Administration. We
may go even further and say that some
OF the passages apart from the qualify
ing context ought not to be printed at
TINS time at all by any publication for
any reason; and we say this without the
slightest reflection upon the views set
forth IN "The New Freedom or upon
the author of them. They are such
views as we are all accustomed to hear
ana TO evaluate in peace time, when the
Ia" OF change and the law of inertia are
IN bitter opposition. 1t is with much
pain and misunderstanding that we learn
how to destroy what is bad and preserve
what Is good Of that order into which
we are born unawares. Strong words
are spoken and forgotten.
Under normal conditions we are con.
unually at war with discovered imner-
fections. But in war time all that l;ra
OF strife must stop in order that the
household itself may be preserved for
iurtner Improvement The vital matter
Is 70 present united front to the en-
cmy. ut is ridiculous" said JUDGE Van
valkenburgh, who tried Rose Pastor
Stokes, ito think that the President
could stop in the face of the enemy ia
clean house. We don't stop in the face
OF a coming thunderstorm to hano o,+
our bedding. '''
The President almost more than anv
one else is able to make the distinction
ne would not now go about the country
making the speeches he made in the
campaign Of 1912. Why? Because in
ternal dissensions hinder war. In 1912
ne was appesling to intelligent discop-
tent with social order in which there
are many evils to be reduced. The radi-
Gals who quote selected and striking
passages from "The New Freedom" an