The New York herald., 1921-12-31

was. and probably will pc so considered
at this time, the leader in our country, II
not In the world, in his line OF thought.
reasoning and advocacy. Therefore, with
the deejre TO give the subject. which ef-
fects many others as well, the fairest
possible confederation, 1 permitted Debs
70 present his case In person.
There Is always one consideration
which must be taken into account in
dealing with pardon cases. and that is
the object sought to be accomplished by
the imprisonment, which Is the protec-
ton OF society and in this instance par
ticulariy. the protection and preserva-
ton OF the Government There is no
other Justification for imprisonment.
Vengeance does not, or at least should
not, enter into case.
Very frequently, so far as the in
dividual is concerned, all the objects
of reformation and promise of good
citizenship thereafter are accomplished
the very hour the prisoner enters the
penitent,ary, and considered by himself
alone he might. with safety. be relieved
from further Imprisonment. To do SO.
however, would not effectuate the OBJ
tect sought to be accomplished by reason
Of the sentence imposed, and that is
tho deterrent effect resulting an a matter
Of example TO others by reason of his
imprisonment. So in tho Debs case and
other similar cases, q reasonable pun
ishnent is necessary as an example 20
others. and when that is accomplished
there is no justification for further i'm
prteonment.
Eject ON Others.
There ia. however, In this particular
case of pebs, a danger not often en-
counteTed, and that Is that his pro-
longed confinement will have an In
furious effect on n large number OF
people who will undoubtedly regard his
imprisonment unjustihable, either as
judged by his acts--that is as consiu-
cred by his utterances--or by existing
conditions II this thought affected only
a. few it would be inmnterial, but un-
doubtedly a large number OF persons
viii entertain this same view. and since
the primary object OF punishment Is
the beneficial effect IL will have upon
gociety from the standpoint OF example.
continued confinement beyond certain
period may, under the conditions set
forth, be far from beneficial in its
tendency in other respects and operate
also as an example of extreme and un-
justihabie hershness. In very real
sense tntg -ls true IN luc present IN
stance. and is condition which must
be taken into account.
"Debs is now about s6 years OF age.
He appears to be physically strong but,
MS n matter of fact is not, and he Is
not q normal man mentally on this par
ticular subject, his obsession clearly pre-
venting Rim from acquiescing I'm the
finei decision OF the courts respecting
the limitations OF freedom OF speech as
guaranteed by the Constitution. He is
a man OF much personal charm and inn
prossive personality. In the work he
has undertaken these qualities make him
n very dangerous man, calculated 10 mis-
lead the unthinlSing and afford an ex-
cuse for those with criminal intent. So
far as he thinks correctly he may be
conscientious, but he does not think cor
rcctIy. and apparently cannot do 90, on
the questions involved In this case and
it must not be overlooked that under
cur form OF government his theories
which are in conflict with the highest
constituted authority. are wrong and
reasonable.
mo right thinking man would set up
government or a system OF govern
ment advocated by Debs as against the
government founded by the wisdom Of
our forefathers and supported by every
right thinking American citizen who has
an understanding Of the benefits and ne
cessity Of government and the security
and opportunity IT affords.