The Republican journal., 1922-11-02
"Freedom of Speech Does Not
Justify Anarchism

Frequently is heard the assertion that
9Th is is free country" 1t Is the retort
that springs to the lips Of any individual'
or group of individuals, when he or it is
repr cached or called to account for action
that is Objectionable or detrimental to
others. Some there are, doubtless, who
actually believe that constitutional free
dom, the liberty of the individual, is
equivalent to license t. do anything to
which there is impulse, without regard
for the rights and privileges of Others.
And some know better, but misuse the
plea of freedom to justify acts that can
not be permitted because they rely upon
it to appeal TO the unintelligent and gain
for them the support of those in the popu-
lation who, when assembled in any con-
siderable number, constitute mob.
OF course, every intelligent person
knows, and if he is honest he will freely
admit that he knows, that, just as this
nation is free and independent only within
its legitimate rights, so every individual
has his personal liberty circumscribed by
the rights and privileges of his fellow
citizens, and that the same is true of
groups of the population.
To guarantee security for life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness for all the
Inhabitants of this country is the purpose
of the Constitution and the statutes b ised
thereon. 1t follows logically that acts
which menace the life, restrict the liberty,
or interfere with the pursuit of happiness
of any Inhabitant or group OF inhabitants
of the United States, cannot be permitted
to any other inhabitant or group.
"a mans house is his CASTLE" and un-
der the Constitution he is secure therein
from unreasonable searches and seizures.
There is law to protect him from violent
entry But he may not in his home or on
his premises engagein activities, or main
Ntan conditions, that are an annoyance,
or a detriment to his neighbors.
Citizens are free to walk or drive in the
streets, and go wherever they will, and
because that freedom is tor all, there can
not be to any the license to do anything
that would obstruct or impede the pro-
gress of others.
Speech is free, but only for the express
sion of opinion; not for incitement to
violence. The same is true of the freedom
of the press. And upon the constitutional
right to assemblage there are the restric-
tions that it must be peaceful and nom
obstructive. When crowd assemblies,
however peaceful 1t may be. If it obstructs
traffic, it is made to disperse unless spe-
cial permission has been given for the as
semblage or for the doings that attract it
"a parade, for instance.
And citizens are free to work wherever
they can find employment that salts
them, as long as they meet requirements,
or to quit work that they do not like.
Because they are, it is not and cannot be,
the right or privilege of any person; or
group of persons, or any authority to
compel any to work where they do not
want to work, or to prevent them from
working where they do want to earn their
living and the opportunity is offered.
These examples of the limitations OF
freedom, of personal liberty, m ght be
multiplied many times, but even these
few are presented with an apology to the
many to whom they are so familiar, so
much matters of course, that they may
wonder little, at the first thought, why
we have presented them at all.
The reason, which is likely to come to
mind of all who wondered at first is that
there are always some who believe, out of
ignorance, or have been misled to believe
that liberty is the equivalent of license.
Albany IN, Y) Journal.