Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech

(First in a series of four freedoms)

On January 6, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered his State of the Union address. Europe was at war with Hitler. Many in the U.S. wanted to remain isolated from European affairs. Roosevelt, preparing the country for possible future involvement stated that “No realistic American can expect” to stay free from a dictator’s influence unless by opposing it. He framed his arguments with the four essential freedoms: Freedom of speech and expression; Freedom to worship; Freedom from want; and Freedom from fear. 

Roosevelt expressed the first freedom as “The freedom of speech and expression — everywhere in the world.” FDR maintained that freedom of speech in one country can be eroded unless all nations share the same freedom. It was the responsibility of democratic nations to guarantee “the supremacy of human rights everywhere.”  

Artist Norman Rockwell illustrated the Four Freedoms. His Freedom of Speech painting shows an average man speaking his piece in a local meeting. Many in the world did not share this right. FDR wanted to guarantee this right in all nations. Allowing dictators to limit speech anywhere would affect the same freedom here.

Less famous than Rockwell’s paintings are the four essays commissioned by the Saturday Evening Post to accompany them. American writer Booth Tarkington wrote the story which accompanied Freedom of Speech.

Tarkington imagines a meeting of two young men in an Alpine Mountain chalet. A slight young painter and a burly journalist share a table. Talk turns to politics and the subject of free speech comes up. 

The journalist notes, “In [countries with free speech rights] the people create their own government…so the people really are the governments. They let anybody stand up and say what he thinks. If they believe he’s said something sensible, they vote to do what he suggests. If they think he is foolish, they vote no.” He concludes that those who wish to seize power will fail in these nations.

The painter agrees, “Speech is an expression of thought and will. Therefore, freedom of speech means freedom of the people.” He says that limiting this right might allow a dictator to take power. He continues “so long as governments actually exist by means of freedom of speech, [dictators] … shall not be able to last a day unless we destroy freedom of speech.” 

His friend asks how this can be done. The painter proposes a “purge” — creating fear so that people will choose to limit speech to ensure their safety. 

The journalist counters, “They would be brainless to make such a choice — utterly brainless.” The painter counters, “…many people can be talked into anything, even if it is terrible for themselves.” 

The young journalist exits and the young painter asks the innkeeper who he was. 

The landlord replies “I don’t know his whole name, but I have heard him called ‘Benito,’ my dear young Herr Hitler.”

Tarkington’s chilling story underlined Roosevelt’s fear that limiting free speech rights in any nation limits the rights of every nation. 

FDR quoted founding father Benjamin Franklin in his speech, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” 

Cherish the four freedoms. Promote ethical actions in our nation and the world. Speak freely and justly.

(FDR’s full speech (voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu), Rockwell’s paintings, and Tarkington’s essay ( www.saturdayeveningpost.com) are available online. I encourage you to find them.)