SIR,—We live and learn, and I thank my informants. Shifting
my ground slightly, may I say that the question may be posed as whether the government of the United States confronts Communists with gaol (a) for their ideas, or (b) for their overt acts? The point is complicated by the government's de- finition of membership in the Communist Party as an overt act. Towards this position the Radcliffe Com- mittee took one step, though only one. Most Americans accept it without surprise or doubt, and our acceptance (I find) amazes some of the English.
There is some failure of communication; and the remedy seems clearly indicated. Mr. Sigal and Miss Anderson should prove that the Marxist-Leninist ideas (observe I do not mention S ) to which a member of the Communist Party pledges his allegiance do not in a capitalist country either neces- sarily, designedly, typically, or normally lead to overt acts prejudicial to public order. I urge them to make the attempt. The shades of Marx and Lenin would listen with interest; it would be in several ways a public service. They could go on and show that Marx built a hut by Walden Pond, and that Lenin's most notable action was to walk to the sea for salt.
Any success they might achieve would impress America, where—if I may repeat the obvious—the states make claim only to those rights not reserved to the individual by the Bill of Rights, and pass on to the federal government from their store only those rights which they distinctly specify in the Constitu- tion. The notion is that the individual is primary, and that he may and indeed should periodically overturn the government. Only, Americans insist, the government should be overturned in an orderly manner, with men standing up to be counted and no brass knuckles. The Communist Party they regard as a Brass Knuckle.
Speaking under correction, I believe that in England the possession of brass knuckles is not re- garded lightly by the police. But surely a man charged with their possession would not be said to be persecuted for his mettle? Similarly, most Americans will remain unmoved by announcements that members of the Communist Party are perse- cuted for their ideas.
9a Holly Lodge Gardens, N6
W. D. PADEN
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