Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-28

wv, Aor REALIZE tnat we must HOe o"'J
stand for civil liberty but religious
freedom. 1 have no sympathy what-
ever with the socialists. their attitude.
I simply take my teaching from my
boShood days. up to entering college In
Nashville. Tenn. Pen,ccostal College,
ana from my mother and father.
(Court) Did they teach you that a
Christian should not engage in warfare
to protect their country?
(Waldron) No. I can't say they did.
(C.:rD No one ever taught you
that did they?
(waldron) 1t has come up in discus
sions. yes. around the fireside in the
home
lcourt) You don't believe it is right
foi . Christian to be in warfare now,
do you?
fwaldron) In certain circumstances.
such as we are in now. ! would say
yes 10 that.
(Court) How loEg is 1t since you
have held to that belief?
(Waldron) For eight years since
have been preaching the Gospel. Cos
pei minister. I am Quaker, person.
ally myself
(C~urt) How does that go with
what you told Mr.. Hascom that you
would not do anything to aid the Red
Cross because they repaired soldiers
and put them back into the trenches.
and what you told Miss Evarts that you
woula not buy a Liberty bond because
that aided the government in the war.
and you didn't deny those things on the
stand?
(Waldron) Yes, Your Honor, think
those were all denied. have no doubt
they gave their statements as being
true. didn't mean to convey those re-
marks in any way.
(CoUrO Your actions in those respects
are consistent with the doctrines set forth
in the pamphlet?
Waldron) AS a whole possibly 1t would
be. yes.
tCourD Or with any part of it?
Waldron) I only read the pamphlet
over very casually once.
(CourO That is all anyone would need
that would require a careful reading, to
say nothing about requiring study and
thought to analyze and gather the mean
ing Of the statements.
Waldron) have voted every year
! since I have been in Windsor. and that
pamphlet is against voting.
(Court) What?
Waldron) I have gone to the polls and
cast my vote every year since have been
in Windsor. That pamphlet is even
against voting and 1t is against police
| men, and there are different things in
there that I believe In, absolutely neces-
sary. The pamphlet is not correct rem
dering of the sentiments or thoughts that
I have.
THE SENTENCE.
The Judge. in pronouncing the sentence
on Waldron. had the following to say:
AN attempt is an endeavor to do some-
thing. but falling short Of accomplish
ment. The defendant is guilty of an
attempt to create insubordination. dis
loyalty and refusal of duty in our military
forces. If he had succeeded, 1t would
have constituted greater danger than
the armed forces of our enemies. Not
only the fathers and mothers, their sons
and daughters, but all good citizens are
! sacrificing everything that is dear to them
and which makes life worth living, to
sustain the nation in its peril. The de-
PENDANT. however honest he may be in
his religion or pacifsm, has actively en-
gagged In opposing the nation in this great
conflict. A person who attempts such
things should be severely punished, as
an example and warning to others. There
are altogether too many persons in this
country who need such a warning. They
Should change their course to one which
will sustain the nation rather than defeat
1t. They do not heed ordinary warnings.
nor do they regard the law Of the land
or policies adopted by Congress. I am
satisfied that the defendants friends used
their best efforts to dissuade him from
opposing the nation. The controversy
in his church did not have the slightest
effect In bringing about his prosecution
or conviction. A minister Of the Gospel
has much influence. and his high calling
| aggravates rather than mitigates his
ofense. He may have been sincere in
his beliefs. but that makes him all the
more effective and dangerous.
Therefore. being atisfied that the YER
dict Of the Jury speaks correctly. and
having regard for the different views that
| can be taken as to what the punishment
should be. the court has concluded that
the punishment should be severe. as the
only right and prudent thing to do to
such person as the defendant, notwith-
standing what his religious or pacihstic
beliefs may be. The law Of the land is
supreme rather than the belief Of any
| individual
THE sentence Is that the defendant
serve term Of Is years In the federal
penitentiary at Atlanta, Ca. and that he
! stand committed until the sentence Is
compiled with"