New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-27
Women Weep
Whie Larkin
Defends Self
Irish Radical, on Trial
Charged With Anarchy,
Consumes Three Hours
lin Addressing the Jury
Quotes President Wilson
Attacks Judges, Courts and
All Government Agencies;
Justice Charges To-day

James Larkin, Irish radical, denied
vigorously at his trial yesterday in
summing up to the jury that he had
ever urged the overthrow Of the
United States government by direct
action" or unlawful means. Assistant
District Attorney Alexander I. Rorke,
however, declared that Larkin did adj
vocate the governments upheaval, con-
stantly referring to him as ."the angel
of anarchy"
In a summation that took three
hours Larkin thrndered his denuncia-
ton of the present social order,
quoted Lincoln, Washington and Presi-
dent Wilson in substantiation of his
arguments; attacked the District At
torney as "a paid servant of an in
visible force which controls this
court; lectured on the meaning of the
phrases "proletariat" and Economic
determination" and concluded by saying
that no matter what the jury decided,
his opinions would remain, unchanged.
Women Weep
When he finished telling about his
life long dream to make possible the
"brothe rhood of man" and that he did
not care whether he went to Jail be-
cause he tried to make his dream come
true, he sat down heavily in his seat
with no further words to the Jury, and
several women were heard sobbing.
Mr.. Rorke reiterated again and again
to the jurors that they must not be
moved by sympathy for Larkin, wiom
he described as "consummate actor"
and willy agitator." He told the jury
that the only issue involved was
whether Larkin did urge the overthrow
of the government by unlawful means.
Larkin opened by asking that the
jury be discharged because it was pre-
JUDGED, but the motion was denied by
Justice Barlow S. Weeks.
"This defendant is not being tried
for an overt act," declared Larkin (Lar-
kin is his own lawyer, "but for senti-
ment; because he preached the doctrine
of humanity against inhumanity; the
doctrine of brotherly love against ma
tional brute hatred"
He then engaged in discussion of
free speech and free assembly, contend
ing that they do not exist in this cour.-
try. He cited the custer of the Social
ist Assemblymen and the prohibition of
public meetings by the Federal and
municipal authorities. When he began
quoting sections of the Constitution
the criminal anarchy statute under
which he is being tried is unconstitu-
tional, Justice Weeks interrupted, say
ing that he would rule that the statute
is constitutional and that Larkin was
not competent to interpret it.
mo man in this country knows the
law" said Larkin, "but l am dealing
with the facts of life"
Quotes the President
For half an hour Larkin and Justice
Weeks differed over Larkin's tendency
to explain his point of VIEW" the
court ruling that Larkin could not
make as statements Of fact matters
that had not been admitted in evil
dence. He cited President Wilson's
book the New Freedom" to substanti-
is controlled by "bg business" and
said that such condition is impos-
sible in Soviet Russia.
II have never advocated the over
throw of the government by force and
violence" said Larkin, "but I have
advocated a new understanding among
men. 1 have been against war, have
always stood for truth and Justice"
"The argument that has been made.
Mr.. Rorke, "shows that this defendant,
is the leader Of the most sinister force
in America to-day He is the power
that pulls the strings"
at is bad enough" he continued,
"for American citizens, men who were
born here and men who have become
citizens, to criticize our government,
let alone this alien who has been
travelling up and down the country
preaching anarchy" y. e.
Spends Night in Tombs
"If you believe beyond o reasonable