THE SACCO-VANZETTI TRIAL
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I wish to thank you for your leading article on Sacco and Vanzetti which appeared in the issue of August 13th. It is conspicuous for its sanity and its fairness.
The execution of these two men is unspeakably tragic. For, whether the men were guilty or not, a really large number of citizens arc not convinced that the men were fairly tried. Bankers, educators, humanitarians, and plain citizens worked for commutation of sentence. Our venerable Bishop of Newark, Dr. Lines, joined in the plea to President Coolidge.
It would seem as though the men were tried and convicted for their political and social opinions. The effect on the civilized world is lamentable. There may have been some stubbornness on the part of Massachusetts ; a State naturally resents the imputation of backwardness and Bourbonism. Her law is obviously antiquated as compared with other States, and one remembers that it was Massachusetts which waxed most valiant against the witches.
The men are a symbol and a challenge. A Citizens' National Committee which was formed to work for commutation of sentence is going forward to vindicate their memory and make a repetition of this judicial crime impossible.—I am, Sir, &c., ALBERT FARE. Little Hollows, Ridgedale Avenue, Madison, New Jersey.
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