Evening star., 1921-12-24
The "Political Prisoners"

-, President Harding's act of clemency
toward Eugene v. Debs and q number
yof other offenders against the war
time laws enacted for national Sc
curity is a gracious act Of mercy, well
timed for Christmas. Debs' release
from prison has been expected for
ssome time. A constant pressure has
been exerted upon the executive and
upon the public to affect national
sentiment by certain groups of SYM
pathizers with the radical leader. An
organization has been formed for the
purpose of securing the release of all
political prisoners on the ground
that the war being over there is no
further occasion for their imprison-
i,ment. This movement was Endorsed by
some other national organizations and
opposed by some. notably the Amer
lean Legion. The Presidents action
is not necessarily in response to this
propaganda for Debs' release. 1t is
known that he has for some time been
considering the extension of clemency.
=, This action will probably not satisfy
those who have been clamorins for
7the release OF Debs and other political
offenders In the first place, it is not
a pardon. but a Communication OF SEN
stence, which does not restore citizen
ship. Debs and the others are released
from prison, but they do not regain
their civic rights. Moreover, the de-
mand for release affected the cases of
1877 persons, so that there remain 123
still in prison. The President refused
to consider the release of those who
swere convicted of sabotage or attempt
ed overthrow of the government by
force.
The argument of those who urged
the release OF these political prison.
3ers" was that their offense was merely
that of free speech. But in many Of
the cases of convictions under the
espionage law the offense was far
graver than the mere uttering Of
opinion antagonistic to the American
war policy. or critical of the manner
of prosecuting the war. Most Of those
who were convicted tried to check the
operation of the selective draft law;
tried, in short, to prevent the raising
of the army. They discouraged en-
1istments and encouraged draft eva
sion. They preached non-resistance
and pacifism. They sought to o1struct
the governments preparations for war.
While having no traffic with the
enemy, they were actually in effect
aiding him by lessening the power of
the United States to fight. There were
varying degrees of this pernicious ac-
tivity. Some men and women merely
preached pacifism and draft-resistance.
Others actually aided in draft evasion.
Some preached non-participation in
works of munitions making. Some. Of
those not now granted clemency. tried
to destroy property to check the NUM-
-tions production.
It is not matter now Of degree
Of guilt so much as of contrition. Is
the wartime offender against the laws
repentant? Is he sincere in his realiza-
ton that he played the part of bad
citizenship when he tried to prevent
apparently the President in his dis
elimination has not based his action
definitely on that ground, but the hope
is that those who have now been
granted clemency will 60 forth free
with the feeling that they erred, and
with the resolution henceforth to obey
the laws and to abstain from any en-
enlargement to others to break them.