“LITERARY POISON”
RIGHTS OF SOCIETY ''Many writers seem to think," writes Mr James Douglas in 'Sunday Express, "that the Republic of Letters is nn Alsatia in which every author is a law unto himself. They Ouote Milton's ' Arc-opagitiea,' as if Milton's noble plea for liberty wero pUa for unrestricted licence and licentiousness. " Some literati seem to think that literature should be endowed with selfdetermination. They contend that society has no right to protect itself against literary poison. I hey claim to b« tlie sole arbiters of decency and morality. We do not allow Byles the butcher to decide whether his beef is fit for human consumption. Why should we allow Byles the writer and his brethren to decide whether his books are fit for human reading? "We control the sale of poisonous drugs. We claim the right to control the sale of poisonous books. There are • many books to-day selling like hot cake's which would not survive a Bow Street ordeal. I'ue.c are obscene in every, seuge of the a.oid.'i
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Evening Star, Issue 20137, 30 March 1929, Page 21
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170“LITERARY POISON” Evening Star, Issue 20137, 30 March 1929, Page 21
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