Dear Editor:
In response to your request to write an article concerning freedom of the press, during this month in observance of National Newspaper week, I am indeed happy to submit the following for your edification:

In telling my story about freedom of the press, I first to back to the American revolution.

Through the years of the Revolution, newspapers stayed alive and helped keep alive the spirit of resistance. Then when independence was won, nine states guaranteed the "freedom of the press" in their constitutions. And the first amendment of the new federal constitution declared that:

"Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press."

Freedom of the press means many things to many people.

It means any American can own a printing press and report and comment on public affairs.

It means we can print our newspapers without a government license or interference.

It means we can disagree with our elected officials, and say so on our front pages, without fear of reprisal.

It means we can present our opinions on all controversial matters and let the people decide for themselves.

It means we can maintain a free nation by adhering to the high principles of the freedom of the press.

The effects of our guaranteed freedom of the press were noted by the French political philosopher, Alexis de Tocqueville, when he visited this country in 1831‑32.

"It is owing to the laws of the Union," he wrote in 'Democracy In America', "that there are no licenses to be granted printers, no securities demanded of editors, as in France and England . . . hence the number of periodical and semi-periodical publications in the United States is almost incredibly large."

Yes, large! and precious! Thanks to the founders of this, the world's greatest free nation.

Floyd T. Fulle
Managing Editor The Des Plaines Suburban Times

Dear Editor:
Who said high school newspapers aren't important?

For one thing, high school newspapering is an important segment of one of the most important, exciting, stimulating, productive, and necessary professions in the world.

Pose this question: Where would we be without free and good newspapers? And, don't kid yourself, friend, the Westerner is a newspaper even though it may serve a different level of society and different needs than the large city dailies. Basically the same challenges face all newspapers.

The answer to the question, of course, is that our country and our world would be less informed and hence not as well off ‑ if you accept the premise that knowledge is a requirement of good judgment.

"Local level" news is usually underrated in importance, perhaps because it often lacks "shock effect". But it is my firm belief that America's "soft spot" is its failure to intelligently and diligently participate in local affairs like government, including school governments, democratic movements and organizations, and vital ideas.

The high school newspaper has a golden opportunity to guide its readers in this direction in its news and editorial columns ‑ if it only will.

And, let's not forget the importance of high school newspapers as a training ground for future journalists. Many of our newspaper greats cut their teeth on a high school publication.

I discovered some time ago that the world is full of people with "possibilities", but only a relatively few exploit their talents to the utmost.

The same is true of high school newspaper staffs. It's within their power, and they have the medium, to stimulate, report facts on which intelligent decisions can be made, and to contribute in many ways to freedom and the good life if they will only realize it and do something about it.

Richard C. Wessell
Editor and Publisher The Des Plaines Journal