Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-08-17
A FREE PRESS.

No democracy covering area larger than an
average state would be possibility except
for the newspapers and magazines. Otherwise that
INSTRUMENTATION necessary to give common ideals
common purposes and mutual understanding would
be out of the question.
For democracies of the republican type, such as
our, to come into full fruage as the protectors OF
people of all classes and conditions. the press must
be free from special influences
The great bane of America is special govern
mental privilege to a select class Laws are made
which favorable to the accomplishment of power
and wealth by special groups.
All sorts of analyses are made to show the pecu-
liar psychology of those who have shown hostility
to government. In the of some people of
depraved heart and peculiar mental processes, these
efforts at analysis may show us some interesting
facts and give us valuable data upon how to deal
with them. They un-American, but would of
themselves be too few in number to be dangerous.
The rank and file of people in America among
whom is the unrest much talked Of today. are
Of this class. They believe in institutions.
They desire to be good citizens
But there is the feeling which amounts to posi-
tive conviction that some people get the best Of
them, not through the natural advantages of native
ability, but through the special protection afforded
them by the law.
Any effort TO find the cause of this unrest among
the people. where its effect is manifested. will be
improbable except in some Of undigested
and un-Amercanized foreign population. The cause
is to be found in the njusces which stimulate the
unrest
These inequalities and special advantages OBJ
tanned in the laws rarely occur by accident. They
put there by design the part of those who
expect TO profit thereby.
This is only possible because of the absence of
the sunlight of publicity upon what they are doing
BY hook crook they must obtain control of the
news sources of the community. Therefore, by
subsidies by direct ownership, they make it prof.
table for the newspapers to be silent when silence
will be golden, to openly garble the facts where
publicity becomes necessary desirable.
large part Of the troubles in New Mexico today
due to this cause. For years the avenues of
publicity have been controlled. Silence concerning
the actual steals perpetraed or special advantages
obtained has generally been obtained Where per-
version of facts became necessary that course was
resorted to- Ownership OF the avenues of publicity
has made IT possible to keep the people quiet or
misead them. The latter is being done just now
with the smoke-screen of rdicule and abuse being
heaped upon US by the Herald merely because we
will not be silent. Mr. Suly and his crew their
strangle-hod relaxing under the publicity OF the
journal.
Do the people sense the real issue being fought
with desperation? 1t is not Larrazoo antiLarra-
zolo. 1t Is this: Can a free paper inspire enough
support and confidence among the people to main
upon silence In self preservation?
1t is not necessary that people agree with the
viewpoint of the editor. If he be wrong, the people
will easily correct his judgment with theirs, provided
they have the facts. But without free press the
public cannot have the facts That this avenue of
getting the true facts be kept open is matter of
first concern with honest people.
We believe that things have shaped them
selves in New Mexico that support of Governor Lar
razolo in his fight for denomination is vital to the
success of our program If, with all the facts be-
fore him the reader fails to agree with US, that dis
agreement Is not vital. But that the facts be had
is VITAL
This movement must, OF course. take definite.
practical political form. Those agreeing with our
basic fight for freedom OF the press and program
of reform must get together upon something definite.
High ideals have to be enforced by the gross
of carrying ward caucuses. All should prepare to
take a hand.