Individual rights can't be lost even during a time of war It happened in Montana during World War I. The sad case is a good reminder today of the need to protect our rights.
The governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, made an effort last week to rectify an injustice that occurred about nine decades ago.
Schweitzer posthumously pardoned about 80 people convicted of sedition during World War I, a time when anti-German sentiment in this country was running high. Those convicted of these crimes - including one who was punished for calling WWI a ``rich man's war'' - were mostly working-class people of German descent. They spent an average of 19 months behind bars. The man who made the comment about a ``rich man's war'' served nearly three years in prison.
It's hard to believe something like that could occur anywhere in America and certainly not today. Yet it could happen.
In the days following the 9/11 suicide attacks on America, an anti-Muslim, anti-Arab feeling was clearly felt in this country. Efforts were made to abridge rights because the nation was at war.
The USA Patriot Act, which allows the government greater leeway to spy on those inside this country, was approved by Congress.
To this point, our rights essentially remain intact. We are still free to debate government policies about war or anything else.
A reason for that is this nation has learned valuable lessons from the mistakes of the past. Imprisoning nearly 80 people for opposing a war certainly qualifies.
University of Montana journalism professor Clem Work, who has written a book on the case, said many of those imprisoned were turned in by friends, acquaintances, bigots or in some cases by people jealous of the German immigrants' land holdings.
``Today's a day of redemption and redress, helping the families put closure to the wounds and at the same time make an affirmative statement for free speech,'' Work said.
It is essential that we, as a nation, do not allow our zeal for security - even during a time of war - to engulf our liberty.
``In times when our county is pushed to our limits, those are the times when it is most important to remember individual rights,'' Schweitzer said, adding that Montana has learned the hard way ``that neighbors spying on neighbors is not the cowboy way.''
Nor is it the American way.
Comments:
This is your opportunity to speak out about the story you just read. We encourage all readers to participate in this forum.
Please follow our guidelines and do not post:
Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo, such as accusing somebody of a crime, defaming someone's character, or making statements that can harm somebody's reputation.
Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
Personal attacks, insults, threats, harassment, or posting comments that incite violence.
Comments using another person's real name to disguise your identity.
Commercial product promotions.
Comments unrelated to the story.
Links to other Web sites.
While we do not edit comments, we do reserve the right to remove comments that violate our code of conduct.
If you feel someone has violated our posting guidelines please contact us immediately so we can remove the post. We appreciate your help in regulating our online community.
Your comment will be posted after it has been verified.
