The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-12-03
COMMUNISM AND FREE SPEECH.

criminal ayndlcasm laws IN the interest OF
Zee speech, free prssS and free nssembiagc.
kin support OF It's case the Union iucoses
brief relating the story Of the nrrest OF NUM-
ber'of communists who were apprehcnded while
holding a convention in tho woods near Bridge
nnnn Mch.--the notorious william a. Foster
beng ono Of the delegates hrreeted-and con-
eudcs its presontment OF the in these
worlds
There Is not single issue In this
except those of free speech freedom OF
assembly No overt criminal act of any
sort ia charged No evidence ia offered eN-
cent the doctrine advocated by the COM
munsts We have no concern with
what the communists at Brdgeman met
10 discuss"
Then as II perooivng where such doctrine
leads It, tho Union brief later on makes this
half-hoarted apology;
while thoroughly disagree with the
communist attitude toward FREQ speech,
With their melodramRtic secret tactics and
With their talk about revolutionary vio-
ienue, we shall defend their right to meet
and speak as they choose. We shall con-
cede that they may properly he punished
only ~ their doctrines break out into overt
criminal act
There. briefly. and presented by an organlza-
zion composed of men and women OF learning
patriotism and standing, among thom such
characters as Jane Adams. jeanette Rankin and
behind which the syndicalist- and communists
undertake to prove judlcialiy their rgh, to hide
and conspre for the overthrow OF this govern
msnt
1t le very amazing. Yet the doctrine is suf-
fciently buttressed by precedent and constltu-
tonal construction to giSe II q most formidable
appearance While there La considerable to he
said IN support IT the ovcrt-act doctrine and
exen more 10 be said In Jealous defense OF the
Eights OF free speech free press and free as
shmblase. The World must refuse to loan itn
approval 10 the purpose OF the American Civil
liberties Union and must. with equal sincerity,
insist that this government of ours not only
has the constitutional right to prevent punish
frye speech press and assemblage whom exer-
cised in such manner but It's officers are most
soIemnly charged with the grave obligation to
Do 40. s
What does solemn oath to defend the con-
sttutlon OF the United states" imply9 Can II
be for moment tended that che obligation
10 defend" single mooted provision Of that
document is superior TO the obligation to de-
fend IL as a whole. whom to defend the
single provision simply amounts to aiding and
ebetting a conspiracy to deatrny the tcr:,. ..
political society the document whole
sets up?
There is no conreament made OF the fact
no denial anywhere that communism and syn.
dioaiism purposes the total destruction OF the
United States government as organized and
maintained under the provisions OF the constitu,
tion. Every syndicalist and every communis
not onsy boasts OF this. but undertakes to de
tend 1t as an accomplishment necessary to real
ize the peculiar reforms they advocate
How utterly amazing. then. to find sane mer
ma so al IA IN 81,
of life. so unmtndful OF the consequences o
their acts as to ask popular support for con
sttutionai theory that gives not only porfec
liberty 10 traitors but likewise protects treason
IN its eonspiracies.
The Union declares that mot A siugle issu,
involved" IN the arrest or the commun ,st
Brdgeman save those OF free speech an,
freedom OF assembly, Yet the communists were 1,
convention for the admitted purpose of further
ing conspiracy 20 overthrow our system o
government They there to discuss plans
perhaps make assignments to their members In
cIuding every crime in the criminal code no
excepting arson and murder. such was thoi
only purpose. Yet the contention is made tha
they must not only be left free to such employ
ments but must actually have the protection O
the government in such employments
II the overt act must needs be awaited the
what protection has an organized society? TIL
overt act--that is the actual accomplishment q
the purpose toward which all OF these variou
criminal eonsplraces tend--mlght easily enous
mark the full attainment OF the ultimate oh
jectlye OF the society which Is the total abolish
ment OF the constitution, then or what ava
any OF It's provisions9
The criminal syndicalism and communist law
should not only be preserved but more rgidl
enforced. Such organizations as this America
civil Liberties Union, and such men and wome
as loan their honorable names TO H. constlut
that mnatic fringe OF society late hero
American eastgaasd so numerically.