South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-06
DECEMBER 6. 1919.
THE NEWBERRY CONSPIRATORS AS
MORAL. SEDITIONISTS

The Newberry conspirators they desg-
mated by the federal grand jury at Grand Rapids
have opened headquarters at the Farmland hotel
labeled it the Indicted Mems club" each
member wearing button inscribed. Il helped keen
Henry Ford of the United States senate!' Yes
but by what a process? We quote again from Judge
Sessions address the grand jury, upon the in
dctments being returned:
I'm returning this indictment you have said.
rather you have determined and decreed
that large number OF men, the largest
Der ever Included in single indictment in this
state shall be placed upon trial for offense,
which strikes deeply at the foundation of
form OF government and as surely and certain
~ do the doctrines OF the men who follow
and salute the red flag"
We suggest then that the Indicted Mems club
re-christen themselves the 'Bolshevili club" the
Anarchist club" the "Un-American club or
something that sort Yes, they helped keep
Henry Ford OF the senate! They are wonderfully
good Americans they are; strong for Americansm
anticipate; marvelously devoted to govern
nent by consent of the governed but what kind
Of "Americansm" and what kind of consent"
In justification of Judge Sessions deineauon Of
the stated crimes Of the indicted men, classifying
them along with the reds" the following from the
recently tabled sediton BILL unenacted by congress
cvidencing the republican reason for failure to
enact. is enlightening:
Whoever with intent to levy war against
the United States to the change over
throw, destruction. undermining
forms of law organized government. or to
oppose prevent hinder delay the execution
OF any law, the free performance by the
United States government any its officers.
agents, employees Of its his duty. commits.
attempts or threatens 10 commit act of
force against any person any property. or
any act of terrorism, hate, revenge, injury
against the person or property of any officer,
agent emplOye of the United States shall Je
deemed guilty Of seditiOn, etc
You get the application! The word fraud" sub
stituted for "force" IS all necessary in the
construction Of sedition bill; that or the ad-
diton OF fraud to "force"-an you have tho
Nevberry consprators branded traitors" quite
wen as ''corrupdonsts."
Underwriting the government" weren't they If
The facts set forth by the grand jury are true And
wasn't it after a manner conducive OF the over
throw. destruction. or undermining of all forms Of
law" tending TO oppose prevent. hinder or delay
execution" Of the election of the state and Of
the United States. in a senatorial contest?
Aren't election officials officers. agents or en-
poyss OF the United states government. when the
election of federal official is at stake?
OF course. the sedition bill had not become a law:
not law when the alleged frauds took place
and could not apply had il since been enacted.
with the offense Of fraud" included 1t all goes 10
illustrate however. the cheapness of our much
mooted Americanisn when men of such supposed
respectability while prating the ballot as the
vhly proper avenue LOT correcting cur governmental
uastaSes-or improving political social or indus
trial cOnditOns,-so boldly indulge in the corrup-
ton OF that ballot and then dedantly don a badge
Dragging Of what they accomplished by it
The absence of statute does lessen the moral
culpability. That the sense in which Judge
Sessions spoke. The Newberry conspirators will be
tried under the federal statutes relating to the
purity OF elections. rather than under sedition
law: that Is the main difference though the tend
the change overthrow. destruction. or undeimin-
ing Of the government"
Rome FELL not by an invasion of bolshevism but
BY internal corruption, and particularly the corrup
ton OF men in high places-which is a grave dan
TO America today: quite grave bolshevisui.
T. W. W.-ism, any OF the rest. because of the
frutfulness OF the soil that prepares bolshe-
visf and I W.-ff and nfher nrarchisfic crnns