Something most people don’t realize is the extent of the oppression which existed under the old Czar. And it was only natural that people who sought to accomplish a change, after finding that no amount of effort could bring about a rational or reasonable change, finally came to the conclusion the only thing they could do was to eliminate the Czarist regime. That was an autocracy.
Now the question theoretically arises: Does such a situation obtain in the United States? Or is it possible for the people, by legitimate political organization, to bring about the changes that they consider to be desirable?
There was a great dispute raging in the ranks of the Communist Party over that question.
Mr. Jay Lovestone fell by the ax over it. He taught that America was an exceptional situation and that exceptional tactics had to be used in the United States. Because of that he suffered expulsion.
Mr. Velde. Do you happen to know Jay Lovestone?
Mr. Dennett. I did not know him. I have read some of his works. Not very much; only what the party said he said.
Mr. Velde. Of course, Mr. Dennett, you realize that we have had, I think about 100 convictions under the Smith Act whereby various Communist Party leaders were convicted of advocating communism.
Mr. Dennett. I didn’t know how many.
Mr. Velde. It may be less or more than that.
Do you know, Mr. Tavenner?