Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-06-20
EXPRESSION VS.. REFRESHING.

We are reproducing elsewhere in our columns an
editorial from the Santa Fe New Mexican in reply
to our criticism of it's attitude of repression against
socialistic and other erratic outbursts.
We are unqualifiedly for all that our neignpor
defines as it's platform But are not for the re-
preston of freedom of speech except as a very
last resort The good sense of the great mass or
Americans is the ballast. which keeps the ship OIL
state riding upright in the storm Oh coiliiietiiis
opinions. Repression of freedom OF expression VII
never do it. Only when speech either drectyt au-'
vocates revolution or produces the effect upon un-
balanced brains of being advocacy OF reVolu'ioh
do we believe repressive measures should be adopted
our correspondent did not advocate change to
his economic theory through revolution II IS true
that some of his utteranees were Incorporate anu
excessive but their very ntemperance was the an
swer to them which made them harmless
With his economic theories we are entirely out
of harmony We believe he is dead wrong But
that opnon should not deny him hearing as long
as he proposes that his changes shall be brought
about by the orderly processes of the law The ma
jority in America have right to try anything they
decide to try provided they adopt the established
procedure to bring it about and show due regard 10
the rights of the minority in doing it. That we re-
gard the proposal unwise or ruinous IS pesioe the
question We may argue to combat the spread OF
the idea but must as good Americans, acquiesce IN
trying it, If the majority so determine. ..
It is not an effort to overthrow our institutions
to say that ways are horrible, swhisn' avg
satdog." In fact the only criticism we have Of
such statement is that it is too all-incusive we
have in every community. men to whom such terms
will apply and who seize upon our property system
to rob Others We need to kill the rat by other
methods than burning the house. however. the
change proposed by correspondent VIII not AFTER
human nature Hs4. e5eH t.s
We are up against fast approaching ava
lanche" and the fact that we do not wish trouble
rdl uSf hearing OF 1t, however dis
tasteful the news may be. This avalanche will not
reach us with any vitality destructive force because
we will awake and adopt remedial methods as we
always do in America. For sleeper to have SAID
he did not hear, did not wish to hear the warn
ing, would not have saved him from the Johnstown
flood. His safety lay in hearing and acting IN
eauaties in America must be remedied as means
of national safety. Such rumblings as our cor
respondents article tells the direction from which
trouble is coming. I'D. ,.s...- ...... .s ..e
Our correspondent is right. There have been
"insane prosecutions against free speech" Public
safety requires that these must stop. Free speech
is vital, fundamental right in America
An opinion that the kansas industrial court is
most idotic" may prove to be correct We do not
think So Time will tell. Most certainly man
has right to express that opinion, & 'rG
Arguments assertions against the controlling
so of strikes by law legitimate We hold the con-
trary view, however
That our newspapers and politicians are too often
backed by monopolistic wealth is perhaps true
Certainly has right to say SO If he feels, SC
disposed t9. WI ,tr,Q.
- In other words, we against the idea of chok
ing a man off merely because we may fail to agree
with him. Ideas which we regarded as dangerous
va twenty years ago accepted by us today as mat
81 ter Of course We are often wrong when We think
we are right.
our mental attitude is hostile to socialism and al
that it implies But must defeat it fairly and IL
the open With all lis extravagant statements. i'll
tempered assertions and illogical conclusions. there
is more safety~in expression than in repression.
whenever it advocates defiance of law and 'di
rect action" it is proper time to clamp down tight
3 but not until then. - .eHe5 .~sEf