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Show j o H THE SOAP-BOX PREACHERS . ; H OF SEDITION. ' ' B We think Governor Whitman might with great pro- B priety give his attention to the extraordinary situation H In this city in respect to the restraint, or the failure to H impose restraint, upon persons guilty of seditious public H utterances, commonly spoken of as "soap-box orators," B who in their addresses to street crowds have repeatedly H opposed the enforcement of law, attacked the government B and assailed the allies of the United States. B For the enforcement of the law against these sedition- H aries, the community must depend upon the police, the H magistrates, the district Attorney, and the grand jury. H There is evidence of opinion or purpose among these ser- H vants of the people and defenders of public order, inso- H much that the impression prevails that the preachers of H sedition are not going to be brought to book. They and B' their sympathizers are an important political force in the V city, they have many votes, which might serve to explain H any want of zeal or dereliction of duty, if such failure and H dereliction have in fact occurred. H However that may be, the certain consequence of the H present deadlock due to want of co-operation among the H enforcers of the law will be greater boldness and impu- H dence on the part of the "soap-box orators" and more H extreme utterances, which will be likely to lead to disorder H and violence. As we begin to feel the realities of war, the K public will become less tolerant of influences that seek to B hamper the government by stirring up opposition to its B, policies. The heel of authority must crush the hea'ds of H the serpents of sedition before they have become too num- H crous. The governor should take heed of the fact that H instead of enforcing law those chargeable with its en- B ibrcement seem to be engaged in a debate about the re- H sponsibility for the strange inaction. If in any quarter B there have been neglect of duty and nonfeasance, the gov- H' crnor should promptly apply the remedy. New York BBa Times. BBBB o |