The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-07-10
s-~ Thursday, July 10, 1919.
PREACHING TREASON

While this is a nation Of free speech.
abuses Of free speech are so fragrant
ehat we often wonder why authority IS
70 Ink in some cases. In the June num-
Der Of The Nation. a semi-Socialistic
Periodical published in New York. we
and the following comment upon the
peace treaty:
II Is not the peace which has been
una6e this week in Paris: 1t is merely
ataxe which We have reached IN the pro-
rress Of those terrible forces which
have been unleashed by the war. NO
mace 50 wicked, so hypocritical. so con-
kfary to every Allied pretence, can en-
aure-of that there can be no doubt
whatever, least Of all in Paris. That the
EArnnans would succumb to force ma
3eure this journal has had no doubt what
( aver. In Berlin in March last II was as
.plaiu as a pikestafT that any treaty would
HAVE TO be signed that despite all pro-
fastations, despite the correctness or
fheir assertions that they have been
Sfrieked and betrayed by Mr.. Wilson's
bronise Of the fourteen points, the Ger
mans twerc themselves so bankrupt IN
faorsl power and righteousness, so eX-
,Aansted physically and nerrously. and
10 destitute OF unselfiSh moral leader
ehip or Of leadership Of any kind. that
the acceptance Of any peace was newt
abie, II would have taken rare moral
Steadfastncss. a Spartan courage, read
mess 10 sec millions OF their Yellow
ettizens die Of hunger before their eyes
because Of the brutal ana inhuman
Blockade of the Allies in order TO say no
TO Versailles. TtPe GerRans should have
said no. They owed II TO themselves
and to the world TO do 50. 1t would nave
taken them long step toward the resto-
SAfton of their own Self-respect and man
hood-but il was beyond tnelr hoFaI
Soyer" 500
& There are citizens OF West Virginia
now serving terms in federal prisons FOR
:, aneeches less reasonable than the above.
Jreliberately to create the thought that
fhis country has been a party to gross
Injustice against another country IS 70
aoy the seeds OF internal strife. or dis
sension and, possibly. Of civil war should
secession again arise when the united
sStrenxth Of this nation should be called
,upop FOR effective action. Statements
Ike the above come from only two
yaources either a sickly scntimentality
Wbica would seek to protect a criminal
wrongdoer from punishment for his
crimes or active sympathy with Ger
,rnany In her iniquitous attack upon civ
-fftsa,ion. We occasionally see convicted
rnurcerera. guilty Of bestial crimes
shovered with tender epistles and costly
lifts by sentimental women. The SEN
timent that moves them Is, doubtless,
akin to the feeling OF those who seek
Z TO paIliate Germany's offenses and
tighten the punishment which she has
Justly brought upon herself.
fortunately. however. this world is not
run by maudlin scntimentalists. Men
who have to do with the real things Of
BfeI who know crime as crime. and who
knay-that crime can be suppressed only
y by harsh measures. direct most OF the
worlds affairs. It is. however. serious
question whether or not, even in our eN'
trennc license Of speech. the publication
of~a series OF attacks upon the good
Z faith and sincerity OF the American peo'
pie In q great historical action ought &c
be permitted.