New Britain herald., 1926-06-09
HJpERSONAL LIBERTY


 disturbance. This venerable pile. situated in the heart Of the down. town section and still the shrine of countless tourists and pilgrims in search of thrills that come with observing the sacred pews that sufficed for the discussions which formed the prelude 10 the Revoln tionary war is no longer used as church. In truth, not for half a century has it functioned as 3 cit adel of religion. But whenever there is need for meeting" Of popular interest. or when liberty is 10 be discussed. it is utilized as the gathering place.
 Half a dozen prominent citizens Of Boston wrote Mayor Nichols a letter in behalf of freedom of speech" in the Old South, saying they wanted Scott Nearing to make an address in connection with the Rimba affair. which recently orig mated in Brockton. The mayor didn't answer the letter for five weeks; and when the petitioners wrote another missiye, he took two more weeks to answer it. Then he came forward with an emphatic NO"
 The Boston Herald, which was an enthusiastic supporter Of the mayor when he ran for office, professes that it cannot understand either his letter or the reason for his refusal 10 permit the meeting. The Boston paper comes out strongly for free dom Of utterance in Boston, where, it points out such freedom had it's birth; and goes on to quote Charles Evans Hughes and Abraham Lin coln, adding anyone would be jail ed if he made the Lincoln remarks quoted nowadays. The attitude of the Boston Herald must be a severe blow to Mayor Nichols, who has been regarding it as his admins traitor organ
 They take such things seriously in Boston. Prominent citizens hay ing nothing in common with Scott Nearing. knowing not 8 whit what he intends to say and probably hay ing no intention of attending such a meeting, are aroused. Mayor Nichols in his belated letter referred 10 starting a row" in the Old South church. Mayor Nichols is the first person 10 broach that idea" wrote an indignant correspondent, and continued: But whenever a row is really needed in Boston, as has often been the case in the past and will often be in the future. the best place to start it is the Old South Meeting House. If a war for freedom of speech in Boston or the country, the freedom which Samuel Adams and Charles Sumner would have de- manded, is needed, let it begin there; and let the men who de- mand it not measure their words with a tape measure. If in any such crisis mems thoughts turn naturally to the Old South, it is not because it is a church, but because it is the reyered sanctuary of freedom" And then poetry: "So long as Boston shall Boston be, and her bay-tides rise and fall, Shall freedom stand in the Old South Church. And plead for the rights Of all"
 We trust all this is a tempest in a teapot. But if Mayor Nichols needs additional advice he can have it. Charles Evans Hughes told the Albany legislature six years ago that the essence of our institutions is that guilt is personal, and can not be mere intention in the ab- sence of overt acts. Let Scott Near ing have his little say, and if he says more than the law allows it will be plenty Of time 10 take ac- ton. The chances are the meeting will be one of those little pink tea affairs forgotten in two days.