The courier-index., 1918-05-17
JUDGE BITTERLY
 DENOUNCES DIVINE
VIM. J. DRIVER SEVERELY scoR- Es MINISTER WHO IS AcQuIT- TED ON CHARGE OF BEING DIS LOYAL.


 Paragould. Ark, May 13.-In cir cult court here this morning the Rev. A. Gardner, of the Stanford set tlement. this county. was arraigned before Judge w J. Driver on a charge of disturbing the peace. Many complaints have been made to the county officers regarding the atti- tude of Gardner. who. 1t is alleged, has attempted to prevent enlistment in the army and support of the gov ernment financially and otherwise by a process of moral responsibility talks" in which he has pointed out the crime of murder as the unf0r- givable sin. and iikened the legiti- mate act of government in deciar- ing war to the deprayed brute who for lust or gain stabs another in the dark. He is alleged to have taken the position that the act of killing even in war is unpardonable murder.
 In the trial here this morning wit nesses were apparently weak kneed and uncertain. They had heard the sermons of Gardener and knew Gardener was opposed to war, but they could not swear that they had been disturbed.
 Judge Driver, upon the conclusion of the testimony. which did not re- suit in convicting Gardener. made the following remarks:
 'T am surprised and humiliated and deeply pained," said Judge Driv- CT, ''to find that the sacred altars of religion are being used for the prop agation of such contemptible and vigorous form of reasoning In Miss issippi county and in all other coun- ties of northeastern Arkansas l have found that these men of God have been ready constantly to re- spond to every call made upon them and their time and means when such calls are for patriotic or moral purposes. They have asked me re- peatedly and with great emphasis to use more time than had been allotted me in speeches for the Red Cross, the Y. M c. A. and kindred organizations. the influence of which blend into the common cause, war. Therefore. when hear that in Greene county, in a detached DOT tion of this community. that a man who should be a leader and whose work should be an inspiration to others, when I find that this de- graded misguided, villainous viper: nd rarrnhafo whn now stands before me, has been using the pulpit. as means of melt ing opposition to the direct man. dates of the government under which his relatives live and enjoy the liberties and blessligs of democ- racy: when I am told that com munity will permit the spreading of this gangrenous doctrine; when am convinced that Al Gardner has been pointing the finger of criticism at the White House and has failed to lend his wholehearted support to the Red Cross and the angels of mercy who are today pressing cold cloths against the feverish lips of wounded American soldiers on tho battlefieids of France; when I find that this mans influence has been directed in channels that give aid and comfort to the enemy. and If repeated in Berlin would cause . smile of satisfaction to play upon the lips of von Hindenburg and the demoniacal Hohenzollerns; when . thing like this is brought to my at tention and I realize that the holy principles for which we are fighting are being shredded and ground into i the dust by this hair brained de- ! fendant and his kind: when l realize that these things are true. l feel an almost irresistible desire to call down the wrath of the gods on his 1 head or to inquire why supposed ly decent and law abiding commun- 1 ity has permitted his poisonous foot prints to desecrate even the sands of the highways. This man Is dis charged because of the apparent ef- forts of his neighbors and friends to shield him in his traitorous and reasonable attitude.
 q wish 1t were within my power to impose sentence to fit the crime. But since this power Is not within my hands, want him taken from my sight as quickly as possible Have him to leave the court room Get him away with the least possi- ble delay. MT Sheriff, I command you to clear this court room of his presence and do it at once"
 MoroR TRIP TO LITTLE ROCK