The New York herald., 1920-01-22
Party's Leaders Accept States
Challenge in Trial of Sus-
pended Lawmakers.
CALLED ALIEN TOOLS
Martin w. Littleton Makes
Scathing Attack on Principles
and Aims of Accused.
SEES PERIL TO REPUBLIC
He Charges Vast Conspiracy to Erect
Mobocracy on Ruins of the
Constitution.
CALLED ALIEN TOOLS
'EES PERIL TO REPUBLIC
Especial DESPATCH TO rur ur,.,,,

ALBANY, N. Y, Wednesday, The five
socialist Assemblymen who are on tria,
before the Legislature on charges of dis
loyalty today demanded that New York
state define clearly and definitely whether
1t is lawful in this commonwealth for
radicals to teach their doctrine of social
and industrial revolution.
The issue was Joined fairly and souare-
ly. The State threw olst the Challenge
and the Socialists accepted it. The small.
er issues were swept aside when the legal
battle was completed tonight and the wav
cleared for the presentation of the State.
evidence against the five Assemblymen.
The taking of testimony will begin 70.
morrow morning.
New York is to be the first State in the
Union to test the legal status of the new
brand Of socialism which is sweeping over
europe. The Socialists, through their ma
tional leaders, acting as counsel. continued
their fight through the day to bring the
Dig issue to the front, and in the closing
hour of the remarkable contest thev suc-
ceeded. The seats OF the five Socialists
are merely the pretext for the contest.
The State defines the socialism which
is on trial as treason masquerading under
a name; the Socialists define il as a new
ideal of democracy and deny the right Of
the State TO silence free speech or suppress
the new ideal.
Summing up the issue in the closing
words of what perhaps was one of the
most scathng arraignments of Socialism
ever made in legislative hall in this
country, Martin w. Littleton, counsel for
the State and for years one OF the lead
ing opponents OF that doctrine, said
Charge Plot Against Republic.
What is the charge here? That these
five men, belonging to the invisible
empire of the, Internationale are here
acting as agents of Lenine and Trotzky:
not to establish Soviet republic on the
rotten ruins Of an infamous autocracy,
but TO establish a Soviet republic on
which they hope to ride to power. on the
ruins of a constitutional democracy they
are pledged to uphold.
This white philosophy of reform has
behind II the red purpose of revolution.
Before the waves of public opinion started
by this trial have subsidcd this country
will understand that this so-called politi-
cal party masquerading under a political
name is the agent and conspirator Of the
dark forces of that invisible government
whose object is the destruction of consti-
tutional government in America. This
when the people come TO understand that
everything embracing our ideals of lib
erty are here involved. That question
must be understood: before this trial is
finished it will arouse the entire coun-
try. This is no tempest in n teapot.
ut will be question then whether
these men," pointing TO the Socialist group.
disguised as a political party. can strike
hands with every agency of force and
revolution and still make the simple and
honest American people believe they are
not the sworn enemies of this country.
submit that this trial lies upon the
judgment of this Assembly TIE discharge
~ duty to your country greater than
any other duty TO which you have ever
been sworn
Socialist Leaders Reply.
Here are the answers given bv two Of
the leading Socialists in this country
Morris Hillquit, OF New York, said -
That statement of Mr.. Littleton's deter
mines our differences definitely and vi
tally What we want you TO say. and 10
say In your own way. is whether or not
you claim to hold the right to dictate our
political utterances and >onscenccs Re-
member gentlemen. at all times The
Star Spangled Banner is beautiful and
Inspiring hymn. but it is not legal argu-
ment in a case OF such grave and tre-
mendous Importance as the one presented
TO you"
And following Mr.. Hillquit. Seymour
Stedman. Of national prominence as
Socialist, added his definition Of the issue.
He said -
we have reached at last the issue in
volved here. These five men are not on
trial. We cannot misunderstood tre
States attitude what we are being tried
for is this Our disloyalty consists of
the fact that we believe in constit,,
tional change into an industrial dcmoc-
racy and what you fear is practical
proposition. What you Gear is that II Is
coming and you think that by speech
and legislation II can be irnpeded
What is on trial here is the coming
order OF society. Your charge against
these five mon is that :hey have differ
ent theory ana n different philosophy than
YOUR own. You are trying them because
t7ey believe that the industries of this
country should be operated ny the men
who are worfing in those industries You
vaguely define the Interrationale as dis
loyalty. l call upon you 20 define what In
this treason 1t is not that they opposed
the war II the countless millions could
look Up from their graves they would ap-
rrove the action of every man who was
against tho war"
Boldly Approve soviet.
At no point Of the proceedings did the
Socialists explain or offer apology for
their views. They stood by Their national
programme. They boldly announced they
approved of the Russian Soviet ana all the
other Bolshvik governments They ac-
knowledge they demand al Industrial
democracy like that established by
Trotzky and Lenine They have not
cvaded any point raised against them.
admitting it all, their challenge is What
are you going TO do about it?"
Every technical and constitutional point
involved was argued at great length.
Overruled OF every issue. the day ended
with 5. John Block, OF New York. starting