New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-03
GREETING 4 REYERNED CONVICT

A LARGE MrElING OF d. NJ. BENEFITS FRIENDS
LETTER FROM CHARLES INSTRUMENTATION
COMsTuCK bENOCNCED.
There was standing room only III Chlckcrlng
Hall last evening before otucH. That was the hour
named for the holding OF nm indiSnitOn meeting OF the
friends OF ID. ". Bennett who lat week was released
from the Albany Pcncutiary. bis term Of i'm
pilsOumcnt for sending ob'ccnc matter throusi the
mails having expired. The object OF the meeting
was 10 welcome MIR. Bennett and 10 protest against
tie injury to hr freedom Of the press by his i'm
pisomncut. It had boon announced that Mr.. Bennett
would appear In his prison dress, hut this part OF ho
plan was carried ont because Of the speakers
subsequently explained " II 30 happens that Uncle Srn
hqs many demands Tor prison s'ro ihat suit could
not b, obtained Tor love or money"
Eii2ur WriZhf. BD.ton presided aad the platform
was crowded The chairman gad that the meeting had
cn convened IN tho name OF common sense and COM
mon humanity 10 protest against the pcycrson Of the
law ana to express nympahy tor man who had fallen
into the hands Of theological prosecutors Several ot-
tcrs OF regret account OF absence were read. Among
them was the following;
LoSDoE. y. W., April II, 1880.
DLAR aln: nave this morning received your favor
OF tue 81 At with enclosures, which duly forwarded
10 sir Conway and sirs. Bcsant IA Parliament 10
winch have uu been elected meets on April 20, It'll
simply impossible that r3n accept tue invitation tat
YOU send mo- trust that Mr.. Bonnott imprisonment
may b. the last I'll IL KIND IN America. Tho question
prriicular pamphlet fer selling which Mr.. Ben
nett was convicted. II ~ that all frce-thnkcrs
throughout the world BOUND IL enter their nImest
protest against the endeHyOr to prevent freedom VI us
rla-lon social quc'tiuns by the misapphenton Oh
statutes intended 10 prevent the circulation OF oDec-
tUnane literature, but which ought never TO Do allowed
20 apply 20 the publication OF views which, however
extreme or wrongful, ought not, by any stretch OF
II the Hon. Ehzur Wright shOnld DO yOur president
rs hope hc may-pcaSB say how cordially agree WIN
the stand he has taken IN the matter Yours very SIN
cerely, CHARLES BRADLAUGu
T. b. Wakeman who defended Mr. Bennett on his
trial before Judge Benedict, introduced Mr. Bennett IN
nm address In which he reviewed the proceedings lead
Ing To his confinement In the Penltcntary'
Mr. Bennett was received with great cheering. lie
spoke with some agitation. He said that language was
too feeble to express the feelings Of his heart He felt
repaid by their welcome for what he had endured lie
mad no desire to DO rash, but he said That
II II was necessary that he should again
enter tho prison cell in the cause
OF liberty OF the press and freedom OF speech the would
do So lie claimed that he had been sentenced 10 prson
on prOoXt his real offence beng that he was an lhl-
del and that wrote open letter TO Jesus Onrt IL
was oregOue conclusion that ms was to DC Convicted
and ms offence WAS that did not believe n no ought
TO believe. After description of his prison lie ne SAID
am resolved to DO good citizen. thlnk lave Deen
ono In the past In the future VIII speak IN uoIeh0e OF
liberty. viii express my glewsOt Nnht Llluk IRnt;
I will speak tho truth, aud VIII print H. dc retreo
| amid much applause. . =. ..,
case, charging that they were brought about through