In times such as these, itâs important to acknowledge our emotions. But it also is essential that we draw on our fundamental principles and our knowledge of the past to help guide our response.

We remember that the entry of the U.S. into World War I quickly was followed by the jailing of peace activists and conscientious objectors on charges of sedition. The end of that war brought the Palmer Raids that targeted labor organizers and political activists who supported "radical" proposals such as unemployment insurance and an old age retirement program. Among those rounded up were hundreds of foreign nationals who were deported without even a semblance of due process. They were held secretly based on no evidence beyond their acknowledged political views, refused access to attorneys or to judicial review before being deported÷some to countries they had never seen.

We have not forgotten that the tragedy of Pearl Harbor was soon followed by curfews and the forced relocation of 120,000 Japanese-Americans from Oregon, Washington and California. Nor have we forgotten that when those orders were challenged in court the U.S. Department of Justice knowingly withheld evidence from the U.S. Supreme Court that concluded there was no threat to national security. We are still ashamed of that failure of our justice system to prevent or redress the dispossession and incarceration of so many innocent citizens.

We have not forgotten the subversion of our Constitution by the Nixon Administration during the Vietnam War: the mass arrest of thousands of anti-war protesters who were held at RFK Stadium because the jails werenât big enough, the secret bombing of Cambodia and Laos, the White House "enemies" list, the illegal wiretaps and break-ins carried out by the White House "Plumbers," and the attempted suppression of the Pentagon Papers.

The question before us today is not whether we will survive or be victorious over the terrorist network that struck our country last month. The question is whether÷in these times÷we will have the courage to hold fast to the principles of freedom on which our nation is based even as we meet the challenges ahead.

Hanging in the balance are the basic guarantees of equal protection under the law, due process, freedom of expression and the right to privacy.

The mission of the ACLU is to help our nationâs leaders stay true to the vision that unites us all. We will do our best to make sure that the rhetoric about protecting freedom is consistent with the reality of legislation and other actions. That will not be easy, and it may not be popular.

With your help it can be done. In the 14 days since the September tragedies, ACLU activists have sent 27,000 emails to our leaders in DC in support of civil liberties. If you have access to the internet, we strongly encourage you to follow the latest developments at the National ACLU website: www.aclu.org and sign up to receive the Congressional Action Alerts. If you donât have a computer, feel free to check with either the Portland or Eugene office for the latest developments.

As always, thanks for your steadfast support of civil liberties and civil rights.