On the Ramparts of Freedom

Arnaud de Borchgrave
August 20, 1985
God and Freedom Banquet celebrating Reverend Moon's release from Danbury Prison

The more I've traveled the world as a journalist over the last 38 years, the more I've come to value the freedom for which this great republic stands. But these freedoms are constantly under attack; witness Rev. Moon's incarceration. And I trust that from now on Rev. Moon's sacrifice at least will assure in America that no others will, in practicing their religion, have their accommodations specified by the government.

Let me address for a moment what this occasion represents for me and what it should represent to the citizens across this great land of ours.

The United States of America was founded as a land of freedom: freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom to live our life in peace and prosperity. And it is this great heritage of freedom that has driven much of the world to seek better tomorrows, to desperately attempt to throw off the tyranny that's so frequently present in the world.

The sum total of all the knowledge accumulated throughout recorded history, going back some 5,000 years, is now doubling every ten years or less. So freedom must be constantly nurtured, protected, and defended, because nothing is static. The totalitarian temptation has existed from time immemorial and is ever-present: witness those who constantly confuse the eternal principles of the American Revolution with a Marxist- Leninist dictatorship. The world's greatest democracy, namely our own, is based on a two-party system. A two-party system could not long survive with a one-party press. And that was the slippery slope our democracy was on until Rev. Moon and his associates perceived the dangers not only for the United States but for the entire world and supplied us with the tools to restore balance to daily journalism. For this the entire free world should be grateful. Congress cannot possibly make intelligent decisions if a biased media practices censorship by omission, which is the most pernicious form of disinformation. Every Western democracy today is a multi-party system with a multi-party press, and that is the way it should be. But that was not the case in the United States until the foundation of The Washington Times three years ago.

And today the paper stands as America's only national daily alternative voice.

That is one of the reasons why I am personally convinced that Rev. Moon was a victim of prejudice, injustice, and persecution. His powerful anticommunist voice was being heard around the world -- much to the discomfort of those who are prone to blame America first. From this perversion of the American system has sprung the affirmation of the values that are essential to a proud, strong America. And from Rev. Moon's personal example, from his sacrifice, has come a beacon that has marked very clearly the dangers to our basic freedoms. The Washington Times is today under very strong attack because it has been exposing all the manifestations of indirect warfare by our enemies who aim to undermine our freedoms. But we shall continue to expose our enemies. Nothing will deflect us.

The sacrifice of hundreds of millions of people the world over demands our unflagging determination that freedom shall never perish from this earth. No amount of pious pleas for arms control agreements and summit meetings can alter or evade or attenuate the harsh geopolitical reality that our self-avowed enemies consider themselves in a permanent state of war against Western democracies. Rev. Moon has been on the ramparts of freedom in this worldwide struggle. And for this he was persecuted and punished. And for this we welcome him home. I would also like to take this opportunity to salute Mrs. Moon and her family for their courage and determination in this ordeal. Thank you.