All letters to this column must be signed by the writer and include the home address. Pen names will be usedat the discrection of the editors. They should be written on one side of the paper only and are subject to condition.
Now that the sentence of execution of the Rosenbergs has been carried out, I should like to add my small comment to this event. Near the end of their stay of execution, a great well of sympathy seemed to emerge from expected quarters, other than those expected from Communists and fellow travelers; a feeling that our judicial measures were too extreme. A feeling that because the Rosenbergs had acted out of political conviction rather Than conventional motive, they should have been treated more leniently. There has always been a strong dissent- ing opinion in this country to capital punishment no matter what the crime. I was surprised to see and hear the dis- sent increase where espionage was the crime even though political conviction was the motive. I was surprised at the hue and cry of ordinary American citizens, and more, at the doubt that so many express concerning what the sentence in the Rosenberg case should have been; the doubt of those who have not made up their mind about capital punishment in general - and capital punishment for espionage or treason in particular. In my opinion, this doubt is extremely important and should be examined. It points up the reality that many Ameri- cans are not yet fully aware of the threat which Communism poses - the dire threat to liberty and freedom- to life itself. I am reluctant to add that it may even indicate a serious lack of under- standing of the very meaning of free- dom, of freedom as a philosophical val- ue in our way of life--the value without
which life is literally not worth living. To really understand the nature of the Communist threat is to forever dispel any doubt whatsoever that we, as a na- tion, must exercise and every possible means, consistent with our Constitu- tion, to face up to Communism and destroy it wherever it presses us. The crime committed is in itself a sufficient reason for the death penalty. In my opinion, there is even a greater reason which positively demanded that the sentence be carried out. In our struggle with the insidious disease of Communism, it is most im- portant that we accept in every way the role of world leadership which is our lot. America is viewed abroad as a tremendous organism whose every act must be accepted as some indication of the organism’s purpose, strength, and will to win. We must without hesitation demonstrate to the world our realiza- tion of the danger - our determination to win. the people of the world must be given some idea to rally around- plus a consistent demonstration of our pur- pose and steadfastness. To give them food and arms is not enough. We must play with the role of Paul Revere to the world; we must give to those who are still free, to those who struggle under oppression, a reason to rally- a reason to live and resist. A glance at a map of 1900 and one of 1953 is clear proof of the trend of this struggle. This trend has not in any way changed in recent months- except to grow gradually worse. We are losing and we are losing fast. Our only chance is in facing the facts and acting upon
them. We must accept the reality that; We are engaged in a total war with a mighty power whose avowed purpose is world domination, whose every act is toward that end. In this war, we are losing. In fact, so far as much of the world is concerned, we are lost. We must reexamine our entire attitude toward world events including our for- eign policy- restate it- base it on real facts as they are- call a spade a spade. We must on no uncertain terms name Russia as our antagonist and forth- rightly state that we will tolerate no fur- ther intrusion. Make it absolutely clear that we intend to fight to ensure our boundaries and our internal sovereignty. Give the world not only arms and sustenance as it requires, but most im- portant of all a purpose and a goal. The entire free world is a pilgrim in the new world of the Twentieth Century. We must declare to the world our new purpose and our new goal. The Rosen- berg execution must not be allowed to become another Soviet propaganda pivot. The world, and the millions in it who wonder how far we are prepared to go to destroy Communism, must know of this execution and understand it as the demonstrated fact of the new temper of these people- our new un- derstanding, our new steadfastness, our new purpose. Herman Shooster 9th and Flower Sts., Chester
Herman defends capitol punishment. Delaware County Daily Times, Sat. Jun 27, 1953
Julius Rosenberg (May 12, 1918 – June 19, 1953) and Ethel Greenglass Rosenberg (September 28, 1915 – June 19, 1953) were American citizens executed for conspiracy to commit espionage, relating to passing information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union.
Ethel Greenglass and Julius Rosenberg
Rosenberg Protest
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