The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-08-07

! may, at times. be necessary for gov
eminent to inquire into the facts Of
q tie-up. but facts and not conclusions
should be submitted The determin-
ing form Of unprecedented thought will
do the rest. During this process,
government agencies must give a
vigilant eye to the protection of life
and property, and maintain firmness
but absolute impartiality This is al
ways the real test, but if official con
duct combines courage and fairness,
our governmental institutions coIne
out of these affairs untarnished by
distrust. 1t is the mere recital of ey-
perience. Unrest has been reinforced
in no small degree by the great mass
of unassimilated aliens. Attracted by
our unprecedented demand for labor,
they have come to our shores by the
thousands. As they have become ac-
| quainted with the customs and oppor-
tunities of American life, thousands
of them have become citizens and are
owners of their own homes. However,,
the work of assimilation too long was
merely automatic. One million six
hundred thousand foreign born in
this country cannot read or write cur
language. Our interest in them in the
main has been simply as laborers,
assembled in the great trade centerS,
to meet the demand of the hour
Without home or community ties,
many have been more or less nomadic,
creating the problem of excessive
turnover, which has perplexed man
ufacturing plants. But this has not
been the worst phase of the situation.
Unfamiliar with law, having no IN
derstanding of the principles of our
government, they have fallen an easy
prey to unpatriotic and designing
persons. Public opinion has had no
influence upon them, because they
have been isolated from the currents
! of opinion, all due to their not being
able to read or write our language. It
| is the duty of the federal government
to stimulate the work of Americana
zation on the part of church, school,
community agencies, state govern
ments and industry itself. In the
past, many industries that have suf-
fered from chronic restlessness have
been the chief contributors to their
own troubles. The foreigner with F,u-
ropean standards of living was well
coined, but too often no attempt was
made to educate him to domestic
ideals, for the simple reason that it
adversely affected the ledger. 1t has
been my observation that the man
who learns our language, yields to 3
controlling public opinion and re-
spects our laws; besides, In proper
ton as his devotion to American life
| develops, his interest in the impuls-
| i've processes of revolution diminishes.
We must be patient in the work of as
similation and studiously avoid OPP
pressive measures in the face of mere
evidence of misunderstanding. We
have a composite nation. The Al
mighty doubtless intended it to be
such. We will not, however, develop
! patriotism unless we demonstrate
| the difference between despotism and
| democracy. The necessity for the
| drastic laws of war days is not pres
ent now, and we should return at the
earliest opportunity, to the statutory
provisions passed in time of peace
| for the general welfare. There is no
condition now that warrants any in
fringement on the right of free
speech and assembly nor on the lib
erty of the press. The greatest meas
ure of individual freedom consistent
with the safety of our institutions
should be given. Excessive regulation
causes manifestations that compel
restraint. The police power, there
fore, is called to action because the
legislative authority acted unwisely.
A forbearing policy is not the pro-
per one for the deliberate enemy of
our institutions. He is of the kind
| that knows conditions abroad and
here. The difference between autoc-
racy and democracy is well marked in
his mind He is opposed to govern
ment in any form, and he hates ours
| because it appeals to those whom he
would convert to his creed. Any policy
| of terrorism is fuel to his flame of
anarchy. Those whom he seeks to
arouse, in time, realize the difference
between him and their mental atti-
tude, so that when the law lays hand
upon his wilful menace TO govern
ment, the purpose of it becomes plans
to them. Official contempt for the
law is a harmful exhibition to our
people. 1t is difficult to follow the
| reasoning of any one who would seek
to make an issue of the question of
| law-enforcement The executive obi
j CATION, both national and state. on
assuming the oath of office is to 'per-
serve, protect and defend the eonsti-
tuition of the United States" The
constitution, or its essence, is the
license and limitation given to and
placed upon the law-making body
The legislative branch of government
is subjected to the rule of the ma
jority. The public official who fails to
enforce the law, is an enemy both to
the constitution and to the American
| rrinainla of majority rule Ii would