To the editor: At first I found the editor’s note in The Messenger on October 20 that restricts political letters to the editor for two weeks to “only positive” contributions disquieting because of its restrictions of your readers’ right to free speech. I got over that quickly, though, when I was reminded of a quote from a piece written by P.J. O’Rourke, the political satirist. “The Democrats,” O’Rourke once wrote, “are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work and then they get elected and prove it.” As I see things, O’Rourke’s thought about Democrats and Republicans also could be applied to your lead story “Historic Preservation,” (Oct. 20.) As the story points out, former West Milford Township council member Paul Bailey, a Republican, “has aligned himself squarely with those against the plan” to designate an area of West Milford for historic preservation. For me, if Bailey - who time and again during his two years on the council proved that he is an empty vessel - opposes anything, that’s reason enough to support it. Meanwhile, I will leave the crabgrass issue and the like to West Milford’s Democrats. Martin O’Shea West Milford