The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-14
Good Old American Doctrine

Governor Clifford Pinchot of Pennsylvania may
fall somewhat short of Thomas Jefferson in his
understanding of the social contributions of light
wines and beer.
But it is doubtful if even the sage of Monticello
ever set forth a ringing defense of the prin-
cples OF free speech than was contained in warn
ing sent by Pinchot to a city official of Lansdale,
demanding fairness for striking laborers:
Il have before me newspaper reports of arrests
made in Lansdale of persons who were attempting
without disorder to exercise the right of free speech
guaranteed to them by the Constitutions of the state
and nation.
"The Constitution of Pennsylvania says: The free
communication of thoughts and opinions is one of
the Invaluable rights of man. and every citizens may
freely speak, write and print on any subject being
responsible for the abuse of that liberty
"The Constitution of the United States says:
Congress shall make law respecting establish
ment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; abridging the freedom of speech or of
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a
redress of grievances.
"If the Constitutions of the State and the nation
mean what they say then free speech is a funda-
mental right of every American citizen and the
denial of free speech is unlawful
Both you and I are sworn to uphold the Con-
situations and the laws of the United States and this
commonwealth. L desire to call your attention
ponedy to this fact and to the fact that obedience
to the Constitution is the duty of every American
citizen including yourself
Last month the hunger marchers came to Har-
risburg They led by Communist agitators
whose principal purpose was to stir up trouble as
the character Of their kilograms sent in advance
made perfectly clear. Nevertheless instead of arrest
ing them, they allowed to exercise their right
OF free speech in the hall of the house of repre-
Sentatives itself and in the Office of the Governor
mo one was arrested or molested The result was
that the effort of their leaders to make trouble
petely failed
Entirely apart from the constitutional right of
free speech, it has been demonstrated times bevond
number that the policy of denying this right is both
dangerous and ineffective and has the direct result
OF advancing instead of depressing the cause against
which the denial is made
Local police officers charged properly with
the duty of maintaining order within their i1lris.
dctlon The just purpose of ordinances governing
dSorderly conduct and other similar offenses most
certainly is not however to enable local officials to
exercise censorship over the kind of orderly public
meetings which can can not be held
For these reasons urge you to issue a permit
to the Full Fashioned Hosiery workers and to allow
them to exercise their American right of free
in the borough of Lansdale
furthermore ask you to provide adequate no.
lice protection for their meeting, as you would for
any other, and, in word, to accord the hosiery
workers the full rights guaranteed by the Constt1
tons of both state and Union"