Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-08-15
It's the American Way

| Conservatives and liberals do not
always agree, as is well known, and
so therefore. when they happen to be
on common ground or united on some
principle of government, it is worthy
| of mention.
Our forefathers embodied in the
constitution the freedom of the press.
The founders of our government were
radical enough for that, and in fact
more radical than many of our mod
ern Americans. The freedom of the
press idea, was so imprinted in the
minds of the writer's of the cOnstitu-
| tion and on the citizens of that day,
and they were so strong for it, that
it has remained paramount ever since.
Conservatives regularly uphold the
constitution, in fact, many of them
speak of it as if it were something
holy, that might have dropped down
from the skies, and should never be
changed. That part is silly. Those
same conservatives uphold the cOnsti-
tuition because it has been their pro-
lection through decisions of cOnseIva-
tive jurists. To be consistent the
conservatives must naturally uphold
freedom of the speech as it is en-
bodied in the constitution, a part of
the fundamental law of the nation.
But, as above stated it is not so
often that conservatives and liberals
get on common ground and when it
does happen it is worthy of mention.
The Minneapolis Journal, strongly
conservative daily newspaper, con-
tanned an editorial on the freedom of
the press the other day which is pub
lished herewith:
1.-The United States government ex-
pressed regret over the publication
of magazine cartoon offending the
pride of the Japanese in their sacred
emperor. There was nothing else to
be done about it. Subject to the Ordi
nary laws of libel, there is 10 restric
press is free to make about foreign
nations or potentates. They are car
TONED with entire freedom.
This to foreign mentalities is
shocking and a miserable display of
weakness in our government. A Ber-
lin newspaper says the cartoon Incl
dent only shows into what Il
painful situation nation can get
itself, when it can not curb its I'M
disciplined press.
Maybe so, maybe so. We may be
queer sort of people over here, but
we have a free press, and we seem to
like it. We should consider it a more
painful situation if government cen
sorship could step in at any moment
to suppress a hostile publication, or
to direct the exclusion of unwelcome
material.
I'VE may be lacking in proper re-
spect for those in authority, but we
claim the right to speak our minds
about them. Our constitution Suaran-
tees the freedom of the press, and
that is subject on which conserva-
tives and radicals agree. They may
squirm under the remarks of a hostile
critic, but they will fight to protect
his right of criticism.
1T has been discovered that the
y
passed by the Senate, allows possible
infringement of the freedom of the
press. Designed to prevent seditious
influence in the army and navy. its
broad terms would make is possible to
interfere with printed expressions of
opinion. Though the bill, if passed,
might never be abused in this way.
the mere existence of this danger has
aroused opposition that will defeat
the measure or change its phrase
ology.
From our own history, from that
of other nations, and even from cur
rent events overseas. Americans have
abundant cause to know that where
there is no free press, there is no free
people"