| Show r FREE FRE EXPRESSION NECESSARY r. r t The most notable feature common to toI I most of the college journals on our exchange exchange exchange ex ex- change list is the perfectly free way in which they disc discuss ss all subjects whether of politics religion science or philosophy This is as it should be The principal v function of a college ge journal is to provide i E a a medium for the free expression of the 4 students who support it and that it may maybe mayr r be a perfect medium for such expression there should be no coercion used by those who through their authority or influence have the power to limit this expression expression Young men and women generally are impatient of restraint especially when applied to their thought and belief Restraint Restraint Restraint Re Re- of course if properly applied lis be beneficial but hut that will always be most st efficient which restrains without seeming I 1 to do so Undue I 1 gal galls I and and andl f l w when hen applied to young minds makes makes- them cramped and narrow or causes causes- them to escape by any opening that offers offers offers of of- fers thus producing abnormal growths Especially is the latter result apt to follow follow follow fol fol- low from unwise restraint of thought in in in- colleges where there are always strong strong- undercurrents of thought existing of which the instructors can know little besides besides besides be be- sides what they they- learn through the college paper It has been said that every advance in thought like the course of empire moves from the East toward the West Can this be true with regard to the free expression of thought Very likely for I experience has shown that there can can can-be be belittle belittle little advance in thought unless ther is freedom of expression Most of the college college col col- college lege papers in the East express express- themselves freely upon upon whatever subjects they choose keeping of course within the limits of legitimate j journalism an almost unlimited limited field Is there which anything prevents prevents- us from giving as free expression ri to our opinions as do dol students of Eastern colleges colleges colleges col col- leges N Nothing Nothing-at o i h at at all but the he fear of offending offending offending of of- fending pl prejudice j e. e During a period of there tHere have from from many y years gr graduated ted m the U University ty of of Utah a very few Jew professed pro pr professed pro pro- o- o agnostics perhaps perhaps' even a avery very eri i few wr w- w r I ir infidels fia ls but the total number of f these is is- r not Inot one half one of ot all those who have t taken c courses courses l hei here leie e. e Because of of tri tins Uni University i- i has been charged charged with fost fostering fostering- r ng infidelity and this charge has become a aj j bugaboo ga throughout t 0 tt the e Territory y iPer- iPer J J hags haps Nl r J J this h s charge has a shadow d of I justification not not because infidelity does prevail here any more than in other schools but because the F Faculty have sometimes appeared to be alarmed by the bugaboo also Their attitude at times has been as if they would say to the students Hist if you hear any opinions do pray keep them to yourselves Dont Don't by any means let them get out because you know they might have an agnostic tend tend- ency This as ight have been forseen has led to the belief that there really must be some influence working among students here which it is desirable to keep hidden Those who think little about such things are the ones who get and spread false ideas I This would be impossible if no atI attempt attempt at at- I tempt were made either by the exercise of authority or otherwise to limit expression expression expression sion of thought among students students To be sure it is not advisable that any college journal should represent any clique or orl party in politics or religion but does it ita a 0 follow from this that it should be always I. I silent upon these subjects subject Decidedly not I These are questions of vital importance to all and they intrude themselves into our thoughts and expressions in spite of any J resolve we may have formed to keep them out Free expression is necessary above f fj j all to o guard against the h growth of uno unsound unsound un un- sound opinions and beliefs For this reason reason reason rea rea- son if for no other there should be no i attempt to suppress thought or expression |
