Brilliant defense attorney (1857–1938) noted for his role in the Scopes ‘Monkey’ Trial and the Leopold-Loeb thrill-killing case. TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, no date. Letter to the editor of the Nation, marked at the top in an unknown hand, “Copy.” In full: “The meeting held last night at the Civic Club to protest the abuse of the Federal Obscenity Law as evidenced in the recent conviction of Mary Ware Dennett is but another instance of the position that the Civic Club holds in the life of liberal America. It may be recalled that it was the only club of national importance that dared take a stand on pacifism during the war that espoused the cause of Sacco-Vanzetti from the outset; that has continued to protest against the continued and outrageous incarceration of Mooney and Billings; and the other war prisoners. It is a unique organization, the only national club in American that lives up to its liberal principles by admitting without question, qualified members irrespective of race, sex or opinion. It aims to be and almost succeeds in being a perfect free forum. While many of the most distinguished liberals of this country are numbered among its members, it is to be regretted that many persons, who are in sympathy with its aims and objects, are not yet on its roster. All those interested, may obtain full information by addressing the Executive Secretary, Marguerite Tucker, 18 East 10 Street.” Signed at the conclusion by Darrow, and also signed “Sincerely yours, Arthur Garfield Hays,” above Darrow’s signature. In very good condition, with some partial separations along intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, uniform toning, scattered creasing and soiling, and missing both top corner tips.
The conviction of Dennett, a birth control activist and pacifist who lobbied that birth control information and materials should be exempt from federal censorship laws—and was indicted in 1928 for distributing her pamphlet, The Sex Side of Life—led to Darrow dispatching this letter to the Nation. Defending those he believed to have been wronged by justice was nothing new for the famed attorney, as Darrow and future Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter co-authored a 1927 article in the conservative Atlantic Monthly, later expanded into the book, The Case of Sacco and Vanzetti, arguing that the judge in that case was biased and that the trial had been deeply flawed and unfair. As noted, he also opposed the “continued and outrageous incarceration” of Thomas Mooney and Warren Billings following a 1916 bombing in San Francisco. Because of local passions and prejudices which enveloped their trials, those cases became celebrated throughout the country, with groups organized to foster their release. A well-presented argument from one of the 20th century’s greatest attorneys. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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