Debs v. United States

Summary

Argued January 27, 28, 1919 and March 10, 1919. A Supreme Court case against Eugene V. Debs surrounding a speech in Canton, Ohio against World War I given by him publicly. Evidence against Debs was a document entitled "Anti-War Proclamation and Program" showing that Debs' original intent was to openly protest against the war. The argument of the Federal Government was that Debs was attempting to arouse mutiny and treason by preventing the drafting of soldiers into the United states Army. This sort of sentiment and speech was outlawed in United States with the Espionage Act of June 15th, 1917. The argument in favor of Debs is that he was entitled to the rights of free speech provided for in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights.

In its ruling on Debs v. United States, the Court examined several statements Debs had made regarding WWI. While Debs had carefully guarded his speeches in attempt to comply with the Espionage Act, the Court found he still had the intention and effect of obstructing the draft and recruitment for the war. Among other things, the Court cited Debs's praise for those imprisoned for obstructing the draft. In his opinion, Justice Holmes stated that little attention was needed since Debs's case was essentially the same as Schenck v. United States, where the Court upheld a similar conviction. The Supreme Court decided against Debs, and maintained the power of the Espionage Act, sentencing Debs to ten years imprisonment, and a loss of citizenship.

Debs went to prison on April 13, 1919. While in prison in Atlanta, he ran for president in the 1920 election. He received 913,664 votes (3.4%), the most ever for a Socialist Party presidential candidate in the U.S. and slightly more than he had won in 1912, when he obtained six percent of the vote.

On December 25, 1921 President Warren G. Harding released Debs from prison, commuting his sentence to time served. Debs never recovered his health from his time in prison. In 1976 Debs's citizenship was restored posthumously.