New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-02
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THE CASE OF d. NJ. BENNETT.

To the EdftOr Of The TrIouHe
SIR: A United States prisoner of no COM
mon order was transferred from Ludlow Street Jail to
the Albany Pententiary early this morning Mr. d. NJ
Bennett the 5th OF June last was sentenced In the
United states Circuit Court by Judge Benedict to thir
teen months Imprisonment for mailing q copy OF
Cupids Yokes " to Anthony Comstock on his Com
socks) own order over assumed name. accompanied
by the There never before In the history OF the
Republic has been case like this of Benaetts
like his aud that OF Haywood the author Of the PAM
phet for the two substantially the same. The
ground swell OF protest that began with the conviction
OF Haywood is going on TO immense
proportions. 1t opened just year ago with
an indignation meeting In Faneuil Hall, Boston,
which crowded every part Of the old Cradle OF
Liberty" with determined and respectable an assem-
bly, OF Massachusetts citizens met there to pro-
test against negro aud other forms OF slavery Indeed
1t presided over by the veteran abOlitiOnst and
editor. the Hon. Elizur Wright. That meeting was fol-
lowed by petitions bearing some 5000 names. praying
for Mr. HeywOOss pardon, which was granted after
seven months ont of tho two years for which he
bad been sentenced had expired.
In Benefits case, Immediately on his conviction
conflict began at the Pardon ONCE in Washington and
around President Hayes, hardly less active and bitter
between friends aud opponents OF the pardon than the
just previous struggle the antChnese bill though
the strife in Benefits went on quietly aud
Petitions began to pour at once. and private letters
from both sides. Some days ago more than 10000 let
tiers had been written to President Hayes,
and petitions bearing 10000 names, from
all parts OF the country, had been sent hun.
asking for the pardon of Mr Bennett; and both lot
and petitions still coming In, tne latter at least
must be nearly or quite 100000 by this time. what
does this mean Would 100000 citizens OF the united
States petition for tae pardon OF really obscene Grim
inal Here hundreds Of thousands or respectable ct-
zens readers and speakers Of tne English language and
IND. of tho Of M pNnreSS
the opinion that the little pamphlet Cupds IOkes Is
obscene In such sense as TO bring IL under inc
law of Congress sDecting obscene literature. Their
opinion, against tlat OF the society l0r t1 Snppies
sion OF Wee, would 10 raise doubt whether tue
book really obscene and surely the rule OF law IL 10
give prisoner the benefit OF doubt But President
Hayes FOR the present at least, declines to pardon Mr.
Bennett.
Pendng proceedings for pardon and the discussions
the letters petitions and the merits OF the case ME-
Bennett has detained by the Government here In
Ludlow Street Jail. This implies grave doubts, even on
the part Of the Government Indeed AttOrney-General
Devens mas said, I'm manv words, In published let
In regard to the book itse whlle III seems 10 mo
a publication not desirable to be made, am aware that
there be much difference OF opinion upon tho sub
jcct and do not cOnfOund with aose obscene puonea-
lions the effect ana object OF which Is " excite the
imagination aud nnlme the passions"
In view OF doubts like those why should not this prs-
Oner havo the benefit of hemi Ought any considera-
tons of sectaran needs or theological emergencies,
however urgently pressed, To weigh moment In the
minds Of the pardOnng powers at MashlngtOuf Of the
individual citizen is of value. the dissenting editor
sacrificed on account OF his opinions then there
Is such a thing the spirit OF Liberty. Much is 10 be
forgiven TO that spirit and where freedom OF the press
concerned the American people should demand, and
demand the persons OF these 100000 petitioners,
that tbe adyanage and benefit OF all doubts shall be
given to all editors charged by theOOgans with offences
under laws relating the press. How else We be
eerualy yigilant and pay the price demanded Ior I'D
Nelo. York July 2s, 1879