The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-04-08
OPPOSES LEN|ENCY
FOR EUGENE OEBBs
ATTORNEY GENERAL TELLS
WHY NOTED ANARCHIST
SHOULD STAY IN PRISON

WASHINGTON-Attorney General
Palmer announced in a statement to-
night that he would oppose strongly
any effort to obtain executive Glenn
ency for Eugene V. Debs, the socialist
leader, sentenced to 10 years i'm
prisonment for violation of the es-
pionage act. The attorney general
said he had received several communi-
cation urging him to recommend
clemency for Debs.
Believes Duty is Clear.
Mr. Palmer said he believed his
duty in the Debs' case to be clear
and was convinced that he would be
doing to grievous wrong to the coun-
try and striking a blow at law en-
forcement" should be adopt "any
course which would interfere with
the normal administration of justice
in this case"
The statement issued by the attor-
ney general follows:
Eugene V. Debs has filed no petit
tion with either the president or the
attorney general asking for the ex-
ercise of executive clemency. The
facts in his case are such that until
such petition be made by him 1
should not feel called upon to con-
slider making any recommendations in
his case. Debs was convicted not be-
cause of his political or economic
views, but because he plainly violated
the law of the land.
Against Country in War.
''On June 18, 1918, during the most
critical period of the war, Debs made
a public speech at Canton, Ohio, in
which he urged that wage learners
refrain from giving any aid to the
American nation in the war, assert
ing that the war was brought on and
conducted solely in the interest of
capitalists, told his audience that they
needed to know that they were fit
for something better than slavery and
cannon fodder, held up to admiration
as martyrs to the cause of labor a
number of persons who had been con-
victed for violating the draft act and
urged wage7earners to stand togeth-
er as class to prevent the success
of our country in the war.
I'm his address to the jury Debs
said: 4 have been accused of OBJ
structing the war. | admit it. Cen
tlemen, abhor war. | would oppose
the war if l stood alone
Had Fair Trial By Jury.
"He was given fair trial by jury.
The charge of the trial judge was
eminently fair, and on appeal to the
supreme court of the United States
that court, by unanimous decision,
affirmed the judgment of conviction.
"Both prior and subsequent to the
delivery of the speech mentioned,
Debs had on numerous occasions pub
licly urged wage-earners to adhere
to the so-called ST. Louis program of
the anti-war faction of the socialist
party adopted in April, 1917 This
document asserted that participation
Of the United States in the war
against Germany could not be justi-
lied, branded the declaration of war
3y the American government as a
,rime against the people of the Uni
ed States, declared that in all mod
,rn history there had been no war
more unjustifiable and urged con-
,inuous, active and public opposition
% the war
Has Criticized Courts Since.
Following the action of the su-
,reme court, the defendant has in
lulged in violent public criticism of
he American courts of justice and
defied the power of the
government to administer the law
against him. In public speech made
1t Cleveland March II he said: with
very drop in my veins despise their
aw and I defy them A few days
lgo he declared that if an attempt
S made to imprison him he will have
general strike called in support Of
lis attitude
SIN this situation my duty is clear.
Respect for the law and our institu-
ions is the basis upon which every
pplication for executive clemency
nust rest. Open defiance of the law
nd threat of force to obstruct its or
erly administration call for only
ne answer The law must be re-
pected and obeyed. To make sure of
hat, it must be enforced. | would be
Ding a grievous wrong to the coun-
ry and striking blow at law en-
orcement if | adopted any course
rhich would interfere with the nor
lal administration of justice in this
ase."
Application for respite prelimin-
ry to petition for pardon was re-
eived at the White House last week.
t that time it was said the applica-
on would be referred to the attor-
ey general, but that it had not yet
cen communicated to the president.
he request was signed by Frank P.
7alsh, Allan Benson and Charles Ed
ard Russell.
Two Flu Flags Up.