The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-02-18
WHO is RESPONSIBLE?

During the war, when the spirit of
war was at white heat, and patriotism
was running high in nearly every
American, only to be suspicioned a
pro-German was all that was neces-
sary in order to be involved in serious
trouble. AS result, many were false
ly accused and unjuStly punished by
government authorities and mob vio-
lcnce. Among these were l. B. s. A.
students, commonly called Russell
ties" Why were they termed pro-
German? Did they show any sympa-
thy toward the German government?
None whatever. There was not sim
gle case where they were found guilty.
Why suspicion them at all? Their
only mission is to proclaim the COM
ing Kingdom. The reason was due to
the influence of narrow-minded
clergy class, who took advantage of
an opportunity which comes only in
time Of war--just another case where
Salome danced before King Herod to
get the head of John the Baptist.
If there is anything on the face of
the earth that the clergy hate it is
"Russellite," and in number of cases
it is the plain fact that these unjust
eclesiastics made false accusations to
federal authorities, such as the wire
less telegraph story, for no other rea-
son than to exterminate them, if pos
sible. And as it was wartime and
thought not safe to take chances, the
government took prompt action in
prosecution, which could be excusable
at that time. But did the persecu-
ton cease with the end Of war? If
newspaper reports are true, they have
mot. The following is clipping from
The New Era Enterprise, st. Paul,
Mimi, of Feb. 9Th:
"Greensburg, Ind, Jan. 23.-Wil-
liam H. Lewellen, of Indianapolis, a
Russellite preacher, who attempted to
deliver lecture here today, was es-
corted over the county line by men,
bers of the American Legion post
here. The Rev. Mr.. Lewellen was
scheduled to speak in the G. A. r. hall
this afternoon, but members of the
American Legion served notice on
him that they would not permit him.
to speak and use of the hall was de-
MED him by officials in charge of the
hall.
"The Rev. Lewellen then is said to
have sought to hold meeting at
private residence. Several members
of the Legion are said to have gone
to the home, called him out and forced
him into a waiting automobile, which
carried him to the county line, where
he was freed on the promise not to
hold any more meetings in the county.
Literature, identical with propa.
ganda said to have been promulgated
| by members of the International BIZ
BILE Students during the war, which
resulted in several offenders being
sent to prison for violation of the es-
pionage act, is said to have been dis
tributed, announcing the Rev. Level
lens address," (The courts decision
was later revoked and the above men
toned imprisoned Bible students given
their freedom on the ground that they
had an unjust trial.
If have the proper understanding
concerning the American Legion, it
is to encourage 100 per cent Ameri-
canism. If the above is what is called
Americanism then I'm not an Amer
lean and I'm glad I'm not. l had
thought that l was anyhow half
American but can't endorse such a
spirit as that. Is this an American
spirit? No, it is the very opposite.
Neither do believe this to be the
spirit or purpose of the American Lee
gion, but the spirit of some radical
that is wearing this organization for
cloak, or someone who is still labor
ing under those false accusations of
the clergy during the war. If so, then
he is not altogether responsible for
taking such action. But who is re-
sponsible? This is a disgrace to our
American Government. 1t is dis
grace to the American Legion to per-
nit such action on the part of some
radical. 1t is enough to make our
forefathers turn in their graves. If
this be tolerated, how much longer
can we expect Gods protection over
the interests of our nation?
A TIMES READER.