Inherit the Wind is a fictionalizedversion of Scopes Monkey Trial. Great movie, better than the reality. This clip -- a monologue by Tracy, I like, the gist of which starts at about 1:38 with, Cant you understand... Theres another trial, fewer people heard of -- Trial of C.B. Reynolds who was charged with blasphemy. That was about 1886, in the state of NJ. He was defended by Robert G. Ingersoll, one the greatest orators of all time, who wrote whats perhaps the most inspiring closing argument in favor of free speech ever. Maybe one day, someone will make a movie about that. Its a rather long closing argument, which says, in part: There is a law higher than men can make. The facts as they exist in this poor world -- the absolute consequences of certain acts -- they are above all. And this higher law is the breath of progress, the very outstretched wings of civilization, under which we enjoy the freedom we have. Keep that in your minds. There never was a legislature great enough -- there never was a constitution sacred enough, to compel a civilized man to stand between a black man and his liberty. There never was a constitution great enough to make me stand between any human being and his right to express his honest thoughts. Such a constitution is an insult to the human soul, and I would care no more for it than I would for the growl of a wild beast. But we are not driven to that necessity here. This constitution is in accord with the highest and noblest aspirations of the heart -- No law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech. -Ingersoll positiveatheism.org/hist/blasph01.htm#ADDRESS youtu.be/S_DQUAuNUvw
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 22:57:22 +0000
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