LAND OF THE FREE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 July 1925, Page 9

LAND OF THE FREE.

A CURIOUS MIXTURE, CARNIVAL AND FANATICISM. i DARWIN THEORY ON TRIAL. BY CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. (Received July 11, 12.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 10.. A message from Dayton, Tennessee, states that a curious n#xture of spirits of carnival and fanaticism lias: seized the town in consequence of a flood of visitors. Circus and refreshment concessions have been rented by the Town Council, who used the proceeds to refurnish the courthouse, to repair the town clock, to paint benches, to sweep the streets, and to hire extra policemen to assist the town’s solitary marshal to direct the heavy traffic. Gay bunting covers stores and residences during the daytime, while coals glow at nights-un-der the beef-roasting concession on the courthouse lawn. Hundreds of newspaper men and numerous.photographers are present and give every happening publicity all over the country. An army of evangelists from all parts of tlie United States are holding prayer met-ings in halls and and in the open air, day and night, in support of the prosecution. The following is typical of their outbursts: “I tell you they are nothing but a b:g bunch of anarchists, atheists and scoundrels, who are trying to take our children to Hell with them.” Numerous roadway posters exhort passers-bv to read the Bible and be saved. Competition for attention is keen, and there are many signs of local realtors reading, “Locate, build and prosper in Dayton.” Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. f All this fuss is being made over tlie pending trial of John Scopes, a young teacher of biology, who will be charged that he taught the Darwinian theorv of evolution in violation or. a recent Tennessee statute forbidding instruction on matters contrary to the struction on matters contrary to the letter of the Bible on the subject of creation. Scopes alleges that the State enactment violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution, forbidding the abridgment of the- privileges and immunities, or the deprivation of the liberty of or property of a citizen of the United States by individual States. A number °f eminent scientists are expected to testify to the truth of the theory. The. prosecution is headed by William Jennings Bryan, in conjunction with prominent churchmen, who are Avorking for legislation against the theory in all States.]