The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-15

/ 7 Is pity We think that the Indianapolis
police have made themselves censors Of
free speech. During recent weeks The Times
has received numerous complaints that Chief
Mouisseys men. arrogantly and without legal
process. have broken up small gatherings Of
citizens who collected for the purpose Of dis
cussing social problems.
This is not properly a police function. The
conduct OF these officers is particularly re-
grettable in view Of the splendid record the
force has been making in the suppression Of
real crime. only four murders have remained
unsolved this year. which is excellent in a
city OF this size.
Apparently the chief himself is responsible
for his mems attitude toward one Of the most
fundamental privileges Of Ameucanism. His
personal views are those Of a violent reaction
airy He hates Communism" although we
doubt that he has ever read Karl Marks
Manifesto or has the slightest idea of what
Communism really is. And hatred usually
implies fear.
We. too. are nalterably opposed TO the
Communistic theory Of government. but we
know why We are. We do not fear it because
We believe that it can never be sold to America
The fact that there are only few thousand
members Of the Communist Party in the whole
United States is proof Of this
The founders of this republic were no
towards. Liberty was to them the important
thing They feared no political change. They
did not set order above liberty. They believed
that the truth could be found only By the
most free and open discussion.
"A little rebellion now and then is
good thing" said Thomas jefferson. third
F. President and author OF the Declaration OF
independence. II hope we are never WIN
out such a rebellion for twenty years. Inc
tree Of liberty must be refreshed from time
to time with the blood of patriots ana
tvrants II is its natural manure
Imagine what Chief NIorrisseys men would
have done 10 jefferson If he made that remark
at street meeting.
Or suppose Woodrow Wilson, who carried
the country successfully through the great
war. were to repeat his famous comment IN
indianapolis:
The masters Of the government Of the
United States are the combined capitalists
and manufacturers Of the United States
There IS lLtle QONnb AAAoN tAAC 4ONNNA F
would Jug him for vagrancy.
Il is time that Mayor Sullivan curbed the
un-American conduct OF the police. The
limited states supreme court again and again
has shown jealous regard for the privilege
of free speech. 1t has said that this basic
right can be denied only when the words
spoken cause "a clear and present danger"
There can be no clear and present danger"
in the sporadic spoutings Of handful OF So
called radicals
Chief Morrissey should carefully weigh the
words of Mr.. Justice Brandeis. of the United
states supreme court. on this matter.
The fundamental right of free men TO
e+ri,s for better conditions through legls-
latfor and new institutions Will not be pre-
served if efforts TO secure It py argu-
mont 10 fellow citizens may be construed
ne criminal Indictment to disooey exist
ing law-merely because the argument
presented seems to those exercising Juol-
rial mower to be unfair in its portrayal OF
existing evils mistaken it its assumptions
1lnsound in reasoning. or lntemperate II
language.
Free speech is the only protection the
American ideal has against weu-meaning. but
mistaken. majorities and bigoted, fanatical
minoritcs.
Even the stars. moving in their eternal ana
exact orbits through the universe, MAINTAIN
their precise order only because Of the IN
tr,mmelled conflict Of mighty forces.