New-York tribune., 1920-01-16
Socialists Rights
Asscmbly's Challenge Threatens
Blow al Democracv's Foundation

Asscmbly's Challenge Threatens
Blow at Dcmocracy's Foundation
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The safety Of q democracy de-
pends upon the ability Of it's citizens
to think fast and straight, even in
times of excitement, upon certain
fundamental propositions Of popular
government. One of these is that
every citizen must be allowed free
dom to try to persuade, by peaceful
methods, a majority of his fellow
citizens to think as he does in regard
to questions Of laws and institutions
and to act with him in peacefully
changing such agencies Of government.
am one Of those who believe that
our American system Of government
is, as a whole, the best that has yet
been devised upon this earth, and 1
have not the slightest sympathy with
or faith in the tenets Of Socialism.
Yet even I can think Of some matters
in which believe our government can
be improved, and I hope during the
remainder of my life to be free to
urge upon my fellow citizens the de-
sirability of the changes and reforms
that / think necessary to make life
in America moro just, more fair and
more happy for the average man. If
I believe this, what right have I to
deny to the man who believes in
Socialism or in soviet government
the opportunity Of endeavoring to
persuade majority Of the inhabitants
of America that government and
society framed according to his be-
liefs will be best for America-pro-
vided always he confines himself to
the democratic methods Of peaceful
persuasion to accomplish his ends?
The one sharp rule that must be
always maintained is that his efforts
must be confined to peaceful appeal
to the reason of his fellows, and that
the change must come through such
a peaceful persuasion Of a majority.
The organization of a political party
is understood in this country to be
the ordinary and normal method by
which such persuasion can be cxer
cised and the wishes of a majority
demonstrated and effectuated. A party
is understood to be the way in which
men holding similar beliefs unite in
order to convert and persuade their
fellows and peacefully to- accomplish
changes in our laws.
Therefore, in challenging the right
Of the five Socialists to sit in our
Assembly because Of their member
ship in political party, the men,
bers Of the Assembly who voted to
suspend them were apparently strik-
ing blow at the right peacefully to
organize and persuade their fellow
citizens-a blow at the very founda-
tion of democracy. 1t may be that
when the men are brought to trial
facts will be adduced to show that they
: are guilty Of something more than
this; that they are proposing to use
| force or fraud or some other undemo-
cratic means Of accomplishing their
political ends, or that they have in
selves for service to the state. Such
: facts, however, have not been dis
closed to the public, and from the
statements of the proponents Of the
charges stress seems to be laid solely
l upon their membership in a political
the proposed action Of the Assembly
J it is, in my opinion, lamentable mis-
take. Even if the prosecutors have
, evidence Of real offenses, deserving Of
Expulsion, under all the circumstances
of the case it seems clear that they
\ should not have suspended these men
until the facts had been made public
4 and proved at a public trial.
: No worse time could be chosen thar
r to make mistake on the Fundamental
8 propositions which underlie this case
This country is confronted by the
= menace Of the introduction of "direc'
action" into our government. Many o.
', our laboring men are being urged BY
"a radical leaders to employ industria
5 force to accomplish their politica
y ends. and in this way to overthrow
g majority rule and establish the will
& Of an organized minority. We are
II face to face with the duty Of persuad
s ing these men that they must avoit
n such action and contine themselves t.
= democratic methods of argument ant
persuasion If at such a moment W.
ourselves transgress this line o
- demarcation, and punish persons will
's whom we disagree for resorting to th
J. very methods upon which the life AM
a safety Of our country depend, it will
l. be hard to undo such a false lesson
J. Every cred" agitator in the countr,
ls will point to a suspension Of thes
~ Socialists as evidence of the truth o
,f his assertion that democratic method
>, are ineffective and that the peaceful
- Socialist has no opportunity TO
- success HENRY l.. STIMSON.
IS New York, JAM ID, 1920.
Y, ------------------- -------------------
'e Two Amendments
To the Editor of The Tribune.