'. . . His Right To Say It'

Gerald L. K. Smith, who has been labelled America's Number One Fascist, made a very successful appearance in Boston's Old South Meeting House Sunday afternoon. The one-time head of the America First party, currently promoting his Christian Nationalist Crusade, could scarcely have asked for a reception better suited to his purposes. He got front page publicity complete with banner headlines and pictures in Boston newspapers. He was able to place himself on the side of law, order, "Americanism," and free speech--all without uttering a single audible word.

The Boston Youth Council and the various student, veteran, union and youth groups who participated in the rowdy demonstration that prevented Smith from speaking adopted what was probably the worst possible course of action. Had he been permitted to deliver his speech, Smith could have been expected to put his foot in his mouth almost every time he opened it. He is anti-Semitic, anti-Negro, anti-Catholic, anti-so-many-things that his poisonous mouthings disgust and antagonize his audience. His philosophy has a strictly limited appeal. Although the Meeting House was not filled and there was room for any of his disciples who so desired to come in and gaze at his august presence, his audience included only about 35 people, mostly old ladies, who had come to listen rather than to jeer. Except for the demonstration against him, Smith's appearance would have attracted about as much attention as the weekly meeting of the Ladies Sewing Circle.

Not only did the demonstrators save Smith from a grave of his own digging, they put themselves and the organizations they represent in an unfavorable position. Any "liberal" group can expect to be branded Communistic at one time or another, but the zealots who heckled Smith into silence were practically asking for the red label. Their action gave Smith an opportunity to demonstrate dramatically that his Christian Nationalist Crusade is anti-Communist--something many people will count to be a virtue covering a multitude of sins.

The most ironic note of the whole incident was struck by the Youth Council in its declaration that, "We believe in free speech so intensely that we will not permit our democratic liberties to be abused by those who would take away our liberties." The essence of free speech is that as long as they do not incite immediate violence, men shall be allowed to speak their mind no matter how pernicious their doctrine may be. The worth of ideas is to be tested in the marketplace of political discussion, and the decision to be rendered at the polls. The very liberal groups that denied Smith a hearing should be the ones that are most conscious of the necessity for free speech for all--not just for those with whom they happen to agree--if change and progress is to be accomplished without violence. Yet their action is all the more deplorable since they are private organizations and not accountable for their conduct in any election.