The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-01-21
WANTS 4 FIGHT
TO A FINISH
Senator Johnson Opposed to the
League of Nations

New York, Jan. 13.-Senator Hiram
Johnson OF California, declared IN en-
address III Brooklyn tonight that he:
would accept the challenge Of Presi-
dent Wilson tot axe ratification Of the
peace treaty to the people Of the
country.
don't ca.re whether Republican
leaders accept this gage OF battle or
not he said ''Fo- one. accept tho
iss;e. and so far as can, upon 1t
shall so 20 the people Of the United
Sttaes with this subject which deals
so intimately with the treasure and
board Of the average American is q
subject upon which he has the right to
ultimate decision. Politicians upon
one side or the other may seek to
avoid this issue, but l say to YOU with
all soleHlnity. if the politicians on
both sides unite With absolute un&ni-
mi:y IL hiding this subject and en-
deuvoring to prevent its discussion the
American people themselves will wrcst
it from the politicians and themselves
decide it
after his advocacy Of the treaty
With reservation Senator Johnson is
sued a warning against The suppress
sion of free speech and the right Of
assemblage.
There IS real danger he asserted.
that in our just anger against those
who advocate or justify crimes Of vio-
,ence we may be led by reactionary
politicians or newspapers, who are
wearing the livery OF patriotism or by
aui' own zeal into extravaganza Of SUP
preston which will imperii the sover-
eighty Of the republic, the fundamcn-
tai principles Of free speech and free
assemblage."
There are those today" he con-
tinued. who lashing themselves into
fury against men holding opinion con-
trary 20 theirs. who would suppress
iree legitimate expression: and on the
other hand. there are those who
preach scdition and would destroy all
human initiative and corfscate the
fruits CT all human endeavor Your
ask and mine. is to prevent the con-
summation OF either wicked design,
and safely to proceed on our way be-
tween reaction on the one hand and
Ultra radicalisrn on the other.
The preacher Of violence and the
public advocate of the bomb and tho
orch must be drastically dealt
with under the law and By the laws
procedure punished for it's violation
Eut the rights Of any citizen within
he law to express his views and be-
iofc I,n- i<yr,f ne
property Itself and must be as zeal
,usly guarded. The reaction which
you'd prevent legitimate free speech
-hich would rrake government the
mentor Of mems honest opinion,
SPELLS in itself revolution
"ln a free country.'' the senator
continued. men AID women may agi
changes rs they see fit, but they ~ US,
:ontinc their agitation to lawful means
and stay within the constitution.
When, however. men within the con-
stitution agjtate for social or political
change, elect representatives to q
:3.-islaj'5l. q :r.l..i i,-aG.; ;,l5.ious:: +;
ihey ma. be as far apart as II" n2ic>
rom the political ideas expressed |
must demand that the constitution |
oe observed ard respected and the
thus elected by the !
minority acting within the law and !
he constitution must be protected. Ii |
you can exclude socialists II New
York tomorrow You ma:' exclude III
Mississippi and Democrats in Penn
sylvania.
we can only continue as a repuo-
ic by free public opinion. Censor
ship and governmental propas2nda
i.St c,Irt:ii! and limit freedom and
hen destroy it, We have been pick
ng oui. pockets to poison car r'inds
IN the last few wears We have been
.ilchnS frenl taxpayers ni:!ii4ls oi
money fnr "overn.".H;;i; pEoi';;:;i'i-
IL. 10, 10 disseminate. inforl!l;i;!on H:'t
O hide drfas: art, ,::.iici2uci">; and t"
praise what waS nn: ;:Nay% parse !;
yot.l:1v. II :iny- ::rntt, ,,f"n : :."v- ;
>rnlnental group has the right with
.uh:ic funds To feed misinfornl2ti"n to
people. tho Stacking Of freedom IS
fot far distant.
And in this connection the riga; ;
# expression of opinion nlc;sEs III"
xnression cf opinions that are wrong
IS wen rs, th5Ge with which We may
thoroughly agree. Ideas imprisoned
,ocoino higi1 explosives while idea. !
are as harmless; Is
powder lnconlined. :
SEQ has proven it will cure Ma
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