Evening star., 1927-08-23
Radicalism Fails.

All appeals for further respite fail
ing, all legal remedies exhausted. the
doors to the United States Supreme
Court closed, Sacco and Vanzetti went
10 their death at the hands of the law
in Boston last night. in execution of
sentence for murder. They died pro
testing innocence, one of them voicing
the cry Of anarchy. Thus, so far as
the men themselves are concerned.
ends a case that has for seven years
aroused international attention and
has climaxed in a remarkable series of
agitations and demonstrations in this
country.
1t has been persistently asserted in
behalf Of these men that IL they had
not been radicals, holding to the prin-
ciples Of anarchism, they would never
have been accused Of the crime. On
the other hand. if they had not been
radicals their arrest and trial would
not have aroused the interest Of the
groups affiliated with the proletariat
organizations and infected with the
doctrines Of violent anita gonism to.
ward government.
Sacco and Vanzetti have been made
into martyrs TO a cause by those who
wish TO see the institutions OF society
changed radically. The clamors Of
their partisans have clouded the Ques-
tion OF their guilt and have caused
misunderstanding among many per-
ssns as TO the nature of their trial
Ind the Righteousness Of their convic.
ton and sentence.
A perusal Of the record Of this case
demonstrates that il ever accused per.
sons were given chance to establish
their innocence Sacco and Vanzetti
had that chance. They were granted
the fullest possible opportunity to test
the technical procedure, to take ad-
vantage Of the laws delays. Though
poor men. they had the backing of an
enormous defense fund. Collections
from societies and individuals in large
and small amounts, reaching into six
figures, permitted the employment of
the ablest counsel and the organiza-
tion Of paid defense association seek
ing evidence and hiring experts.
Had these men not been anarchists
they would long ago have been exc
cuted in accordance with the verdict
OF the trial jury, the sentence of death
and the rulings Of appellate courts,
unless, indeed, executive clemency had
been granted to them in condonement
of their crime. But the fury of their
partisans, the challenge thrown out by
them to the law, made such clemency
impossible. The case reached the
point at which it went beyond the is
sue of the lives of these two men. Or
derly procedure of law in America was
at stake. The integrity of the courts
and executives was impeached, with
out warrant or evidence of truth.
One of the gravest misfortunes of
this lamentable affair has been the in
FOlVeInenL OIL many peTSOlS VIII
should have been supporters of gov
ernment, but who have been swept by
their emotions into partisanship for
these unfortunate men. They have by
their Endorsement of petitions and
their participation in demonstrations
given encouragement to the radical
elements that are seeking the over
throw of our institutions Of govern.
ment. 1t has been impossible to diff
ferentiate these two classes thus
joined in manifestation of dissent.
Deliberate and far-fung propaganda
adverse to the United States has been
conducted in foreign lands on the
score of the alleged denial Of justice
here. 1t may have done some harm.
1t may lead to further troubles. There
may be disorders here at home, that
Will surely be quelled by the applica-
tion of such force as may be neces'
sary. But in the long run the judg-
ment Of the American people, already
in the ma jority approving the course
of events, will justify the refusal of
the authorities of the State of Massa.
chusetts to yield to the clamor and
pressure and threats of the mob.