The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-03-11
WANT STUDENTS RELEASED
Followers OF Pastor russell Sen.
fenced Under Espionage Law.

A nationwide appeal is being made
to Congressman, Senators, newspap-
ers and other centers of influence, in
behalf of the eight leaders of the In
ternationai Bible Students Associa-
lion; namely, j. f. Rutherford, Presi-
dent; w. Il. Van Amburgh, Secretary
Treasurer; C. j. Woodwork and G.
H. Fisher, compilers OF The Finished
Mystery; A. H. Macmillan, +. II. Rob-
ison, II. ]. Martin and G. DeCecca,
who are no@ held in the Atlanta Peni
Tertiary. without BAIL on charge OF
having Violated the Espionage Act in
circulating the above mentioned Bible
commentary in war times. The book
the Finished Mystery-contained
exiraets-drom Igo-. paoitisL. sermons
delivered by Rev John Haynes
Holmes, Pastor OF the Church of the
Messiah On. ", and by Dir. c. +.
Jefferson. Pastor OF Broadway Taber-
fnacfe tn ", and two or three other
paragraphs TO which the Government
censors took exception
The eight Bible students aforemen
tened, followers OF the late Pastor
Russell were indicted and convicted
last June on four counts. two OF
which charged "wilful and intentional
violation" Of the Espionage Act, and
the other two charging "conspir.
aey' 10 violate the same. 1t appears
that no wilful intent was proven al
the trial. the court record indicating
that the Government Counsel admit.
ted that he could point to mo vindic-
tive spirit against the Government
existing in the minds OF any OF the
defendants. In fact, Judge Howe,
while pronouncing the sentence OF
twenty years Imprisonment upon
hose Bible Students, indicated his
belief in the sincerity OF the men, in
these terms: "a person preaching
religion usually has much influence
and il he is sincere he is all the more
effective. This 'aggravates rather
than mitigates the wrong that they
have done. Therefore, as the only
prudent thing to do with such per
sons, the Court has concluded that
the punishment should be severe
From this 1t is observed that the
mems sincerity is the thing which
has caused the severity Of the sen
tence.T Since when has sincerity be
come a crimes Had these religious
men been insincere, would they have
received a lighter sentence? Ever
now many Socialists and others con
victed under the same Espionage Act
are being released from Jail; We
these sincere Bible Students are KEEP
behind prison walls
We have no interest in the religion
Of these Bible Students. It may b,
all wrong. On the other hand, it ma,
be nearer correct than many of ou
orthodox creeds which were forme,
in the dark ages when our forefath
} ers were burning one another at tn
stake. But this is beside the issue
The question is, Shall these splritua
men continue to be punished for hay
Ing sincerely preached the tenents O
their religion, which they sincerely b
heyed to be the truth, now that tn
war is over? What good purpose
being served in keeping them benin
prison walls, away from their fam
lies, away from their friends, an
away from the great religious. wor
to which they have consistently d,
l,voted their lives? We know OF non,
The first amendment to the Constitl
ton OF the United States guarantee
religious liberty, as well az freedol
of speech and of the press. Wha
ever justification we may hay
thought We had in imprisoning sue
persons in times of war would ce
tainly not hold good In times {
! peace The war has ended. We ar
, not going to wreak vengeance eve
upon the foe we have defeated. WI
. should we wish to wrealt vengeanc
/, upon those OF our own household
who did no more than exercise fire,
doom of speech in all sincerity? Civ
the Bible Students a square DEAL
From an Appeal by Followers Of Pa