Evening star., 1921-12-27
MINGLED EMOTIONS
LEFT BEHIND DEBS
Administration in Experiment
Hopes He Will Not Abuse
Liberty.
by DAVID LAWRENCE.

Eugene V pebs has left behind
here trail Of mingled emotions.
The administration which set him
this morrow morn.
For both President Harding and
Attorney General Daughcrty, who
have tried their gospel Of under
standing" III trying to convert Debs
to life of peace instead of asita-
ton, arc not so sure that they have
succeeded Their disposition is to
say no more about the case and hope
that Dcbs will not abuse the liberty
that has been given him by beconl-
ing Il center for more agitation.
railying device for radicalism and
professional exploitation of the work
ing classes.
The Harding administration tried
a unique expe-iment-one that has
been beclouded somewhat in mystery
because of the very delicacy OF the
undertaking. 1t is a fact that Deos
could have had a pardon long ago IL
he would have agreed to Withdraw
The views he expressed against this
country's entrance into the war.
1t is II fact that he never would
have been convicted if he had not
made Il fiery speech in the courtroom
before the jury. going even further
of the war and his threats to do all
in his power to prevent Americas
success by Encouraging enlistment
Be.;egeL for Months.
For months the Harding admins
tration has been beSieged on every
side to release Debs. First, Ii was
the radical group who believed that
Debs was wrongly imprisoned and. of
course had a right to be set free.
~ ,a1 j.rls. a
movement, based mostly on arsu-
rients of sympathy for the advanced
age of the socialist leader Liberals
who themselves didn't agree with
hcbs' extreme philosophy joined in
the petition for his release. Attorney
General DaugheTty tried several
months ago by a personal talk with
Debs in Washington to convince the
socialist leader of the error of his
views. hut he failed The administra-
tion was reGretful that it could not
then have brought Dehs to it's own
Viewpoint and announced his release.
Finally, the sentimentality OF the
christmas season gave the final i'm
petuS to the movement for the release
of Debs. and the administration
yielded.
But in deciding to give Dehs his
liberty the President and the Attor-
uey General knew from experience
with radicals that It would be a mis-
take to impose conditions on De5s-
TO threaten him OF. use coercion IN
trying to enforce Silence. The answer
of the radical is that he will never
yield to coercion. and that every man
has liberty of action and CT thought.
There is u conflict OF statement Is to
whether Debs came to WaSl:ng gton
voluntarily or iuvoluntarily. but the
fact is he was given transportation to
the National Capital. and arrange
ments We're made III advance to give
him an audience at both the White
House and The Department Of Justice.
President Wanted to See Him.
1Ir Harding had never seen Debs.
lie had been told for months of the
wonderful personality Of the social
ist. He really wanted TO meet him
and talk with him. The President
wondered how a man of such remark
able personality could hold such sub
rersive views. the interview was
pleasant one. Mr.. Harding had moth
ing to say afterward The socialist
leader made 10 promises as to his
future attitude. The administra ton
merely expressed its hopes that ne
would not lend himself to exploitation
commercially or otherwise. Ii re-
mains to be Scea whether DehS will
turn to the life OF agitation on which
he has suhsiSted for generation, or
whether he will reciprocate the kind
ness of the administration by keeping
quiet. II involves q dcilcale point.
If Debs had been formally requested
10 remain silent. II he had been told
his release had been granted on the
condition that he stop further aSita
ton. the probabilities are thar all the
emotions of the socialist leader would
have risen up and 4 proud refusal
would have resulted.
But the administration does not
put its hopes on that ground. 1t
has not imposed any conditions. 1t
feels that it has absolutely yielded
10 the movement for the release of
Debs on sentimental grounds-it has
not receded from the viewpoint eX-
pressed by the federal courts in or
GerinS his Imprisonment. indeed the
President and the Attorney General
feel that they have rsked public
criticism, but have done a human
thing. Will Debs, retaining mis- views,
too. do human thing tor the admins
iration which gave him his liberty?
VIII he restrain himself and cease
preaching doctrines which his critics
say would mean the overthrow of
the government by physical force?
The administrations attitude today
was to let the matter rest ard ask
the country to witness whether it
pays to be gracious to a man who
believes in undermining the existing
social and economic order which for
the time being at least is the view
OF the majority.
copyright, 199l.)