Arecent newsletter from Brian Stelter, chief media correspondent for CNN, contained portions of a commentary from March 9, 1954. It was written by famed journalist Edward R. Morrow and referred to Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s war on communism. Morrow’s commentary — especially the end, which is reproduced here — brings to mind more recent events in our country:

“[Sen. McCarthy’s] primary achievement has been in confusing the public mind, as between internal and the external threats of Communism. We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men — not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes that were, for the moment, unpopular.

“This is no time for men who oppose Sen. McCarthy’s methods to keep silent, or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of a republic to abdicate his responsibilities. As a nation we have come into our full inheritance at a tender age. We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom, wherever it continues to exist in the world, but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.

“The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn’t create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it — and rather successfully. Cassius was right. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

“Good night, and good luck.”

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Want to catch up on the most recent government happenings in Topeka and Washington?

Wilson’s After-Harvest Czech Festival has a reputation for attracting politicians to its Saturday morning parade. However, before the march through downtown, there is the annual Legislative Coffee & Kolaches. It starts at 8:30 a.m. at Grandma’s Soda Shop.

Accepting invitations to this year’s get-together are U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, Kansas Sen. Richard Wilborn and Reps. Steven Johnson and Troy Waymaster. Questions from the audience are welcome.