THE PRICE OF LIBERTY

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawyers will take on any case involving a Constitutional issue: they have defended the right of a racist governor to have his say, and that of a Negro citizen to sit in the front of the bus, at a lunch counter, or in an integrated classroom. Here, in eight essays, distinguished ACLUers explain the legal and political issues encountered in ""safeguarding the rights of the individual within the structure of law."" Writers include Michael Harrington, Harriet Pilpel, Loren Miller, and Elmer Rice. Though not all lawyers, they have written thorough and intricate essays -- like legal briefs, rather difficult reading. But, in effect, these are position papers on censorship, police power, religion, racial equality, academic freedom, labor, Cold War erosions of liberties, and the preservation of privacy. The essays are meant to equip the would-be civil libertarian with insight into landmark decisions, with facts to marshall in argument and with an agenda. They do.