Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 22
Butwewerenothypocrites.Wedidnotcalluponpress,andpulpit,anduniversitytosanctionusinourwilfulnessofsavagery.Whatwewantedtodowewentanddid,onourlegsupstanding,andwefacedallreproofandcensureonourlegsupstanding,anddidnothidebehindtheskirtsofclassicaleconomistsandbourgeoisphilosophers,norbehindtheskirtsofsubsidizedpreachers,professors,andeditors.
Why,goodnessme,ahundredyearsago,fiftyyearsago,fiveyearsago,intheseUnitedStates,assaultandbatterywasnotacivilcapitalcrime.Butthisyear,theyearofOurLord1913,intheStateofCalifornia,theyhangedJakeOppenheimerforsuchanoffence,andto-morrow,forthecivilcapitalcrimeofpunchingamanonthenose,theyaregoingtotakemeoutandhangme.Query:Doesn’titrequirealongtimefortheapeandthetigertodiewhensuchstatutesarespreadonthestatutebookofCaliforniainthenineteen-hundred-and-thirteenthyearafterChrist?Lord,Lord,theyonlycrucifiedChrist.TheyhavedonefarworsetoJakeOppenheimerandme....
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AsEdMorrelloncerappedtomewithhisknuckles:“Theworstpossibleuseyoucanputamantoistohanghim.”No,Ihavelittlerespectforcapitalpunishment.Notonlyisitadirtygame,degradingtothehang-dogswhopersonallyperpetrateitforawage,butitisdegradingtothecommonwealththattoleratesit,votesforit,andpaysthetaxesforitsmaintenance.
