—from Atty. William G. Thompson’s argument before Judge Thayer, pleading for a new trial.
ANATOLE FRANCE’S APPEAL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
October 31, 1921
People of United States of America,
Listen to the appeal of an old man of the old world who is not a foreigner, for he is the fellow citizen of all mankind.
In one of your states two men, Sacco and Vanzetti, have been convicted for a crime of opinion.
It is horrible to think that human beings should pay with their lives for the exercise of that most sacred right which, no matter what party we belong to, we must all defend.
Don’t let this most iniquitous sentence be carried out.
The death of Sacco and Vanzetti will make martyrs of them and cover you with shame.
You are a great people. You ought to be a just people. There are crowds of intelligent men among you, men who think. I prefer to appeal to them. I say to them beware of making martyrs. That is the unforgivable crime that nothing can wipe out and that weighs on generation after generation.