Document: 389 U.S. 54 88 S.Ct. 184 19 L.Ed.2d 228 Howard Joseph WHITEHILL, Appellant,v.Wilson ELKINS, President, University of Maryland et al. No. 25. Argued Oct. 16, 1967. Decided Nov. 6, Sanford Jay Rosen, Baltimore, Md., for appellant. Loring E. Hawes, appellees. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 This suit declaratory relief that a teacher's oath required appellant was unconstitutional heard by three-judge court and dismissed. D.C., 258 F.Supp. 589. We noted probable jurisdiction. 386 906, 87 852, 17 781. 2 Appellant, who offered teaching position with Maryland, refused to take following oath: 3 'I, _ _, do hereby (Print Name—including middle initial) certify I am not engaged in one way or another attempt overthrow Government United States, State any political subdivision either them, force violence. 4 'I further understand aforegoing statement is made subject penalties perjury prescribed Article 27, Section 439 Annotated Code (1957 edition).' 5 The question whether be read isolation connection Ober Act (Art. 85A, Md.Ann.Code, 1957) which §§ 13 defines 'subversive' as '* * person commits, attempts commit, aids commission, advocates, abets, advises teaches means aid commission act intended overthrow, destroy alter, assist destruction alteration of, constitutional form government revolution, force, violence; member subversive organization foreign organization, more fully defined this article.' (Italics supplied.) latter terms: 'subversive organization' meaning group would, inter alia, 'alter' 'by violence'; 'foreign such directed, dominated, controlled engages activities. 6 prepared Attorney General approved Board Regents has exclusive management university. It conceded had authority provide an oath, § 11 directs every agency appoints, employs, supervises officials employees establish procedures designed ascertain before appointed employed he she 'is person.' And term is, noted, 13. Our conclusion that, since prescribe oaths provided it turn tied 13, we must consider reference isolation. Nor can assume meant encompass less than Act, construed, sought cover. 7 If Federal Constitution our guide, might wish may cast into outer darkness. For prescribes method 'alteration' amending process V; while procedure restricted, there no restraint on kind amendment offered. Moreover, First Amendment, protects controversial well conventional dialogue (Terminiello v. City Chicago, 337 1, 69 894, 93 L.Ed. 1131), applicable States Government; extends petitions redress grievances (Edwards South Carolina, 372 229, 235, 83 680, 683, 9 697) advocacy debate. So if are frame challenged adjudged, have important questions resolve. 8 asked treat they barred only those seek Reference Gerende Supervisors Elections Baltimore City, 341 U.S., 56, 71 565, 95 745, where, considering definition 15 governing candidates office, accepted representation would advise proper authorities adopt narrower version 'subversive.' Court Appeals indicated Shub Simpson, 196 Md. 177, 76 A.2d 332, purpose reach group, words 'revolution, violence' did include peaceful revolution but accomplished Id., at 190—191, A.2d, 337—338. In view That construction yet been fashioned certificate when reached us. case involved candidate public office require election dispense incorporated statutory language. asked. referred narrow given saying: 'We decision hold obtain place ballot need make 'in violence,' knowingly attempt. (196) (192), 338. At bar declared accept affidavit these terms satisfying full requirement. Under circumstances understanding, judgment affirmed.' 56 57, S.Ct., 565. 10 As said Baggett Bullitt, 377 360, 368, n. 7, 84 1316, 1320, 12 377, pass upon approve case. Rather narrowing tendered during oral argument so avoid issue argued. however, urged 18 contains severability clause makes possible us separate wheat from chaff District found merit point. F.Supp., 596. But difficulty goes deeper. like situations, vague broad men common intelligence speculate their peril its meaning. supra; Elfbrandt Russell, 384 11, 86 1238, 16 321; Keyishian Regents, 385 589, 675, 629. faced problem thought avoided Gerende. seen, (1) (2) members organization. requires, under threat perjury, applicant another' Though arguendo were authorized construe excluded 'revolution' all specific membership groups, still beset difficulties. Would out violence within even though ignorant real aims wholly innocent illicit purpose? know; nor could prospective employee know, save risked prosecution perjury. 14 Amendment field. continuing surveillance1 type law places teachers hostile academic freedom. Sweezy New Hampshire, 354 234, 250, 77 1203, 1211, 1311: 'The essentiality freedom community American universities almost self-evident. No should underestimate vital role democracy played guide train youth. To impose strait jacket intellectual leaders colleges imperil future Nation. field education thoroughly comprehended man new discoveries cannot made. Particularly true social sciences, where few, any, principles absolutes. Scholarship flourish atmosphere suspicion distrust. Teachers students always remain free inquire, study evaluate, gain maturity understanding; otherwise civilization will stagnate die.' restraints conscientious obvious. case, attendance international conference trap predominantly composed 16—17, 1240—1241. 'Juries convict teacher subscribe wrongful organization.' 17, 1241. sum, integral part Act; undertake light gloss courts placed it. know says '(a) advocates through scarcely good faith, *.' 190, 337. Yet does little afford basis advocate violent overthrow. This, speculation, certainty. Another bearing Character Committee, etc. Mandras, 233 285, 630. There admission answered 'No' 'Are you now ever (Ober Act)?' He apparently time Communist Party. hearing testified joined party because interested candidacy Henry Wallace cause civil liberties; denied advocated Government. affirmed Law Examiners, finding person. argued passive matter subversive. Yet, befogged.2 lines between permissible impermissible conduct quite indistinct. Precision clarity present. find overbreadth oppressive capricious application regimes change. very threat, context (NAACP Button, 371 415, 432—433, 328, 337—338, 405), deter flowering much successive suits Like other cases mentioned, classic example 'narrowly drawn' legislation (Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 311, 60 900, 1213) sensitive area. Reversed. 20 HARLAN, whom STEWART WHITE join, dissenting. 21 doubtless surprised learn meticulous efforts conform state 'loyalty oath' requirements avail. also entitled feel baffled which, recognizing Gerende, undertakes bypass reasoning defies analysis. 22 Appellant Whitehill employment university temporary lecturer reason his refusal sign meets now, violence.1 References conferences, discussions, support minority candidates, disguise fact simply disclaim actual, present activity amounting effect treasonable conduct. Allusions obscure 'believing in' 'being of' anything whatsoever. itself, then, violates, jeopardizes, beclouds appellant's speech association. much, indeed, Court's appears concede. 23 concludes, with' certain sections because, matter, derives law. pause tell what 'connection' explain how serves invalidate unambiguous On hand, plain, artistically avoids conceding, deny him refuses objection signing. nowhere suggest character itself altered language statute authorizing refer statute2 incorporate reference. statute. short, judged own bottom. 24 thing shine majority loyalty oaths. Believing province wisdom unwisdom Maryland's policy regard, nothing about appellant, affirm below. provision provides 'Reasonable grounds evidnece believe person, article, shall discharge' employee. Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee McGrath, 123, 175, 624, 650, 817 (concurring opinion). Art. 15, reads: 'No eligible elective appointive, profit trust administration business county, municipality State.' tells enacted pursuant provision. 192, attention drawn to, found, certainly dubious, operate 'sever' reads narrowly rests. limited sort 'membership' See opinion, ante, 55—56, 57-58. document submitted signature contain notation customary documents promulgated.

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