Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-12
MALICE UNDER COVER OF LAW.

Mr.. Theodore Schroeder. a former
resident of this city, has just issued
pamphlet containing three essays on the
freedom of the press. etc. Mr.. Schroe-
der is not profound writer. He is not
always particular even as to the logi-
cal connection bet ween facts and de-
auctions, and sometimes his preiu-
dlces get the better OF his judgment,
but In one OF these essays he proves In
cidentally the important fact that even
the law can be used for unlawful pur-
poses-for purposes Of oppression and
revenge. This is an important truth
Even the law intended for the protec-
ton of society and individuals against
wrongs and injustice, can be used by
those inclined 10 do evil In the service
OF unrlghteousness. Here is an Illus
tration;
Mr.. Schroeder says that in 1892, Dodd,
Mead, g. Co., published little book ent-
tied Almost Fourteen" written by one
MI. Warren,a school teacher. 1t was writ
ten In the interest of public morals The
manuscript had been submitted to COM
o.
and to DR.. Lyman Abbott among 9TH
ers. 1t was endorsed by them all. Tho
book was favorably reviewed by rellg-
ious papers, and a Baptist minister
bought several copies for his Sunday
school library, lt was circulated for
hye years before any objection was
raised against e. Then 1t was pro-
nouuced obscene"
II happened IN this way. Mr.. Albert f.
Hunt, OF Newburyport. Mass, had Sc
cured permission to republlsh the book
In his paper. He had made himself un-
popular as a roformer He had attacked
the police force, exhibited the iniqulty
Of the city administration. exposed the
sins Of the city such as the practise of
taking Indecent photographs, the ag-
gressions of the saloon keepers. aud
exposed the owners Of buildings leased
for immoral purposes The conse-
quence was that he had many inhuen-
tel enemies These found their oppor-
tunity in tho republication of the inno-
cent book referred to, and he was ar
rested, convicted and fned. In this iu-
stance II is plain that the perse-
outors We're none the less villains. be-
cause they found n way by which to
use the law as an instrument Tor the
furtherance OF their plans for re-
venge.
Mr. Schroeder Informs his readers
that even the Bible has been iudiciauy
declared obscene" IN some parts OF 1t,
and, since book that IL obscene IN
part, is so In toto. IN the meaning OF
the law, It IS evident that, under the
present law and judging from prece-
dents already established any fanatic
could with the assistance OF Jury un-
friendly to the Bible suppress the cir
culatlon Of that volume, and IN some
states the laws would authorize the
seizure and destruction OF II.
This Is startling illustration OF what
can be done even in a free, enlightened
country Ike this. by the aid OF law.
In France melancholy effort is made
20 seoularlze a certain church. and to
do this IN perfectly lega hummer.
Nearer at home vicious assaults have
been made upon the rights and preroga-
tive OF American citizens under the
guise OF loyalty to the institutions OF
the country As not all that glitters is
gold. SO all Is not loyalty. that is ex-
hiblted TO public view as such.