t ' The Commoner Vol. k. No. 36. Lincoln, Nebraska,' September 27, 1901. $1.00 a Year Freedom of Speech. . Some of tho republican papers arc suggest ing limitations upon the freedom of speech as a cure for anarchy. Tho editor of The Com moner has as much reason as any living man to know of the abuse sometimes heaped upon candidates for office. Ho has been the vidtim of as much malice and vituperation as have ever been employed against an American, and yet he is opposed to placing any additional re striction upon the freedom of speech or tho freedom of tho press. First, because the evils of restriction are greater than tho evils of freedom, and, second, because abuse does not hurt the man or tho party made the subject of attack. The death of President McKinloycan not be traced to any thing ever spoken or written against him. The assassin spoke affectionately of his victim and said that he killed him not because of his dis like for tho man but because of his opposition to government of any kind Sonic who are en gaged in schemes which will not bear the light will shield themselves" betiihcP the murder- t us deed of the assassin and denounce freedom q spepcji beoause they 4o- not wa4t the pl?Up !;to bornformed of their- dorags.j-'Otherg'pl ! stirred' ;bj;;itf 'lhtebus .indignation,- rstrike $ , fc free speeoh because some have " abused the I latitude allowed. It is time for liberty- loving citizens to protest against the at- I tempt to suppress free speech. The warfare y must be againBt anarchy, not against freedom of speech. Anarchy is an European product and-thrives most' where there is least freedom I or speech and least freedom of the press. ' Let us not make the mistake of undermining our institutions under the delusion.that.wo are. thus protecting those institutions. Free speech and a free press are essential to free government. No man in public life can I object to the publication of tho truth and no I. man in public life is permanently injured by the publication of a lie. That much is published I that should not be is only too evident, but let I public opinion correct the evil; that will bo I more effective than law and will bring no danger with it. If a paper abuses a political opponent stop your subscription and teach tho editor to conduct his paper on respectable I lines. There is a sense of justice in the hu- (. man heart and he who violates it violates it at his own peril. This sense of justice ultimately I turns abuse to the benefit of the- man abused. Tho present laws against slander and1 libel are sufficient; leave the rest to a healthy public sen timent and then help to create the sentiment. W High Tariff Doomed. In his speech at Buffalo, tho last speech f that he made, President McKinley sounded tho death-knell of a high tariff. He said: "Wo have a vast and Intricate business, built up through years of toll arid struggle, in .which every part of the country bus its stake, which will not permit of either neglect or of undue selfish ness. No narrow, sordid policy will subserve it. Tho greatest skill and wisdom on tho part of the manufacturers and producers will be required to hold and increase it. Our industrial enterprises, which have grown to such great proportions, af fect tho homes and occupations of the people and the welfare of tho country. Our capacity to pro duce has developed so enormously and our prod ucts have so multiplied that iho problem .of more markets requires our urgent and immediate atten tion. Only a broad and enlightened policy will keep what we have. No other policy will get more. In. these times of marvelous business ener gy and gain wo, ought to bo looking to tho future, strengthening tho, weak places in our . industrial and ' commercial systems, that1 we may be ready for any storm or strain. "By sensible trado arrangements which will not Interrupt our homo production we shall ex tond the outlets for our increasing surplus. A system which provides a mutual exchange of commodities Is manifestly essential to the con tinued, healthful growth of our export trade. Wo must ndt repose In fancied security tliat wedari for ever sell every thing and. buy little or nothing, If Siich a thing were, possible it woujd not be, best -forua or foa.thQ8ewithwhom-wdeal.. -W-tym$'$&'W8i6tlb 'c'uiifdnlra'tfchyof theft'' product's as wo can use .without harm to our in dustries, and labor. Reciprocity is the natural outgrowth of our wonderful Industrial develop ment under the domestic policy now firmly estab lished. What we produce beyond our domestic consumption must have a vent abroad. The ex cess must be relieved through a foreign, outlet, and we should sell everywhere w,e can and buy wherover tho buying will enlarge our sales and ' productions, and thereby make a greater demand for home labor. "The period of exclusiveness is past. The ex pansion of our trado pnd commerce is the press ing problem. Commercial wars are unprofitable. A policy of good, will and friendly trade relations will prevent reprisals. Reciprocity treaties are in harmony with the spirit of the times; measures of -retaliation are not." "The period of exclusiveness is past." That mean'B that our country must enter the markets of tho world, and when it does so it will bo ab surd to talk about needing protection from for eigners. When wo sell abroad, the. freight must be added to tho price we must sell at tho foreign price, less tho freight. In other words,, we have tho advantage of double freight when we sell at home. When it is admitted that we can pay the freight and compete with foreigners, no one will have the audacity . to ask for a high tariff to protect domestic manu facturers against foreign competition. Mr. McKinley's statement that we cannot sell everything and buy nothing is an axiom, but it will shock the high tariff advocates who have gone on the theory that we ought to sell to everybody and buy of nobody. But tho Presidents speech suggests one melancholy thought. Tariff reform is about the only thing tho reorganizes favor that is Democratic and it would bo really cruel' if tho republicans should abandon protection and lcavo tho rcbr gamzers no issue at all. Another Problem. By way of London, tho information comes to tho United States that tho Danish Ministry "has decided to accept tho United States' offer of 10,000,000 kroner for tho Danish West In dies." This sum represents, in our money, about $3,500,000. If this offer has been made, it has been made by tho executive, because it is not recalled that congress has given authority for any such proposition to bo made. Is. tliis anpther case where Providence will have drop ped the Danish West Indies into our posses sion ?, It will be interesting to observe the po sition to which tho administration politicians will rolegato these now possessions after wo have paid our $3,500,000 and have obtained tho transfer of title. Will thoy become by a mero purchase apart of tho great American Empiro? Wiil they bo domestic orloreigri territory? Will they boepme an integral part of tio Union with their inhabitants entitled to all tho rights, prLvTlegeWandl jnrnuni ties that . oldrfjwhioned p'eople' tudugjit our cbnstittttidn-guaranlecd to all monmder our flSg,, or will thoy bo mero colonists, subject to tho whims and caprices of American politicians? It is presumed that if' the President concludes to make this pur chase, he assumes to act under tho clause pro viding that tho President by and with the con sent of tho senate may make treaties. We may soon be confronted with the problem as" to what position the Danish West Indies will occupy with relation to the United States. W ' - : ; ' The Turning Point. -. Theodore Roosevelt has reached tho turn ing point in his political career. For several years he has cherished the ambition to be Pres ident; when ho was offered the nomination for Vice President last year he hesitated to accept it for fear that it might interfere with his de- , sire to reach the first place. Ever since his in auguration he has looked forward to 1904 as the time for the realization of his hopes. He expected to secure the nomination of his party, but he knew 'that it would be secured, if se cured at all, at the end of a spirited contest. All at once, as the result of an assassin's shot, he was ushered into tho Presidency. His fond est aspirations have been realized; the highest honor within the gift of the people in any land is now his. With what spirit will ho enter upon the discharge of his duties? The answer to this question is of tremendous importance to him and-to his 'country. He has three years . i