New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Hardly Think 1t Fully Rep
resents Liberty and
Equality
estify for White
John Haynes Holmes and DIR,
Grant Defend Revolution
airy Preacher

The Rev. John Haynes Holmes, pas
tor Of the Church of the Messiah, and
the Rev. Dr. Percy Stickney Grant, rec
tor Of the Church of the Ascension, tes-
titled yesterday to the good reputation
of Bouck White, pastor OF the Church
Of the Social Revolution, on trial IN
General Sessions for burning an Ameri-
can flag.
DR.. Grant, had Judge Mcintyre al
lowed, would have testified that, in his
opinion, worldwide social conditions at
the time White hit upon the burning
ceremony, were such as to purge White
of any suspicion Of contempt for the
! flag.
Under discrimination by Assist
ant District Attorney Rorke, DR.. Grant
said he had no prejudice against the
American flag
"Do you believe it stands for liberty,
justice and equality" asked Mr.. Rorke.
81 believe it is supposed to- replied
/ DR.. Grant.
"Well, do you believe it does ,"
"Not as much as | wish it might"
answered the witness.
Argues Stubbornly
White, acting as his own counsel,
argued stubbornly with Judge Mcln-
tyre TO get before the jury DR.. Grants
conception of the burning of the flags
of the nations in the melting pot.
"Here is man for many years pastor
of a church on Fifth Avenue, church
where it might naturally be supposed
the capitalists were in control"- he
was saying when interrupted by the
! court.
at wouldn't make any difference if
| he came from First Avenue" said
Judge Mcintyre. You could have gone
up into Hell's Kitchen as they call IT,
and if you had brought . clergyman
with the word of God in his mouth ne
would have as much standing in this
case as a man Of God from Fifth Ave
nue."
Mr.. Holmes testified that on one oc-
casion he preached to the members OF
Whites church when their pastor was
in prison.
! White asked him if he were in the
habit of addressing congregation
whose pastors were in prison, but Mr.
Rorke objected strenuously.
"You may answer" said Judge Nc
Intyre, with the suspicion of a twinkle
in his eye. 81 would like to know Just
how many churches there are in New
York where the pastor is in prison"
Mr.. Holmes agreed with DR.. Grant
that the American flag did not stand
for as much liberty, justice and equal
ity" as he thought it should.
Would Not Enlist
would you enlist if any foreign
power declared war on this country
asked the prosecutor.
81 would not" the witness replied.
Earlier Judge Mcintyre had spoken
sharply 10 White and Bernard Ray
mond. counsel for the other ten code
/ PENDANTS on trial, directing them to stop
I wasting time.
"You have been nine days now intro
ducing 'ologies' and 'isms'. Please get
down TO the issues in thS case" said
the court. ar President Wilson himself
D should see fit to desecrate the Ameri-
can flag within the meaning of the
statute he would be "a guilty as the
I lowliest citizen, no matter what his mo-
/ tives might be-"
"But, your honor" protested White,
Suppose, for instance, a physician
were forced TO use flag to bind up the
wounds of a man bleeding to death,
would the mere destruction Of the dag
constitute a violation of the statute ?"
at would not, unless contempt we're
shown" ruled the court promptly.
/ "Ah, that's just what am maintain
/ ing here" said While. UNLESS can
show to this jury that the motive Of
myself and these defendants was one Of
conservation. and not of dissertation,
/ The trial IL a eillv fargo -