Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-11-05
WHAT'S THE D1FFERENcE7

Two men arrested in Massachusetts, were con-
vlcted OF murder after a trial in which they had op-
lortunity to present whatever defense they had,
and in which all their rights were scrupulously OBJ
Communist organization. The Communists through
out the country have protested against the convic-
ton of their fellow-mernbers, and in connection
with the protest, attempts have been made on the
lives OF American representatives abroad and
threats have been made against the lives of still 9TH
ers. The idea SENS to be that because these men
are Communists, the ordinary laws of society do not
operate with reference to them, that they are privile
eyed to slaughter right and left as they see fit, and
that no government ought to seek to protect itself
or Its citizens against violence at such hands.
Eugene V. Debs made speeches and wrote arti-
cles during the war in which he advised against en-
listment in the American army, discouraged the
draft, and sought to encourage resistance against
the authority of the United States. He was tried
and convicted Of obstructing the government in its
military operations in time of war. In the case of
Debs, there is no question as to the facts. He adj
mltted all that was charged against him neither
did he claim that he was not fairly tried. On the
Contrary, after his trial he declared that the pro-
the whole case there was no warrant for any sug-
gestion that this man had been treated in any way
different from that in which any other man would
have been treated similarly charged. Debs is a So
cialist. Leader of the Socialist organization in the
United States, insofar as that organization can be
said to have a leader; he has been the candidate of
the Socialist party for president of the United States
and in that capacity has received many votes. So
cialist individuals, Socialist organizations, and other
individuals and organizations not directly allied
withlthe Socialist party but standing in sympathetic
relation there to, have protested against the con-
vlction and incarceration Of Debs, not because he
did not do what he is said to have done, not be-
cause the laws of the country necessarily prohibit
such acts. but because of his position in a political
organization and in relation to a social movement.
A. {. Townley made speeches in Jackson coun-
ty, Minnesota. the purpose and effect of which was
to interfere with the military operations of the gov
eminent. He was tried before a jury in the selec-
ton of which he participated in the usual manner.
vas unsatisfactory to him. The trial proceeded in
accordance with the usual custom. The defendant
was given every opportunity to present testimony
in his own defense. Having the constitutional right
to appear on the stand and testify for himself, he
declined to avail himself of that right. and the case
went to the jury without his testimony The Jury
which the public had every right to believe was I'M
prejudiced took the case under consideration, and
rendered a unanimous verdict of guilty. Townley
appealed from court to court, and failed to secure
a new trial or a reversal. After having exhausted
every legal device and having consumed two years
OF time in the process. he has gone to Jail to serve
a 9o-day sentence. The Fargo Courier News says
that Townley is in jail because he is president Of the
Nonpartisan League, and for no other reason.
Protests have been made against the conviction
OF the two Massachusetts, murderers, against the
Incarceration of Debs, a seditionist against the con-
finement of T~ownley, also a seditionist, after these
men have been convicted under the laws of the land
in accordance With the orderly operation of the
courts by jurors chosen in accordance with the reg
~ulations prescribed, and after having had the ad.
vantage Of all the rights and privileges which the
American citizen possesses. The protests in the
three cases have been made publicly by different
groups Of people, but in all of them, what's the diff
ference?