New SAT Reading Practice Test 6

Since the declaration of War the triumphant War
press has pursued those Senators and Representations
who voted against War With malicious falsehood and
recklessly libelous attacks, going to the extreme limit of
Line 5 charging them with treason against their country.
I have in my possession numerous affidavits
establishing the fact that people are being unlawfully
arrested, thrown into jail, held incommunicado for
days, only to be eventually discharged without ever
10 having been taken into court, because they have
committed no crime. Private residences are being
invaded, loyal citizens of undoubted integrity and
probity arrested, cross-examined, and the most sacred
constitutional rights guaranteed to every American
15 citizen are being violated.
It appears to be the purpose of those conducting
this campaign to throw the country into a state of
terror, to coerce public opinion, to stifle criticism, and
suppress discussion of the great issues involved in this
20 WAR.
I think all men recognize that in time of War the
citizen must surrender some rights for the common
good which he is entitled to enjoy in time of peace.
But sir, the right to control their own Government
25 according to constitutional forms is not one of the
rights that the citizens of this country are called upon
to surrender in time of War.
Rather in time of War the citizen must be more
alert to the preservation of his right to control his
30 Government. He must be most Watchful of the
encroachment of the military upon the civil power.
He must beWare of those precedents in support of
arbitrary action by administrative officials, which
excused on the plea of necessity in War time, become
35 the fixed rule when the necessity has passed and
normal conditions have been restored.
More than all, the citizen and his representative in
Congress in time of War must maintain his right of
free speech. More than in times of peace it is necessary that
40 the channels for free public discussion of governmental
policies shall be open and unclogged. I believe,
Mr. President, that I am now touching upon the most
important question in this country today-and that
is the right of the citizens of this country and their
45 representatives in Congress to discuss in an orderly
Way frankly and publicly and without fear, from the
platform and through the press, every important phase
of this War; its causes, the manner in which it should
be conducted, and the terms upon which peace should
50 be made. I am contending, Mr. President, for the great
fundamental right of the sovereign people of this
country to make their voice heard and have that voice
heeded upon the great questions arising out of this War,
including not only how the War shall be prosecuted but
55 the conditions upon which it may be terminated with a
due regard for the rights and the honor of this
Nation and the interests of humanity.
I am contending for this right because the exercise
of it is necessary to the Welfare, to the existence, of this
60 Government to the successful conduct of this War, and
to a peace which shall be enduring and for the best
interest of this country.
Suppose success attends the attempt to stifle all
discussion of the issues of this War, all discussion
65 of the terms upon which it should be concluded,
all discussion of the objects and purposes to be
accomplished by it, and concede the demand of
the war-mad press and War extremists that they
monopolize the right of public utterance upon these
70 questions unchallenged, what think you would be the
consequences to this country not only during the War
but after the War?
It is no answer to say that when the War is over the
citizen may once more resume his rights and feel some
75 security in his liberty and his person. As I have already
tried to point out, now is precisely the time when the
country needs the counsel of all its citizens. In time of
War even more than in time of peace, whether citizens
happen to agree With the ruling administration or
80 not, these precious fundamental personal rights-free
speech, free press, and right of assemblage so explicitly
and emphatically guaranteed by the Constitution
should be maintained inviolable.