Speech Given by Eugene V. Debs in Canton, Ohio
6/16/1918
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Eugene V. Debs, a leading member of the Socialist Party, gave this anti-war speech in Canton, Ohio on June 16, 1918, protesting U.S. involvement in World War I. On June 29, he was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern (Cleveland) Division of the Northern District of Ohio for violating the Espionage Act of 1917.
Debs was convicted by a jury on September 12, 1918, and sentenced to federal prison. He appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court of the United States. On April 12, 1919, the Supreme Court confirmed the court's verdict and Debs was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. In December 1921, President Warren G. Harding commuted Debs' sentence to time served and he was released.
Debs was convicted by a jury on September 12, 1918, and sentenced to federal prison. He appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court of the United States. On April 12, 1919, the Supreme Court confirmed the court's verdict and Debs was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. In December 1921, President Warren G. Harding commuted Debs' sentence to time served and he was released.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 273773489
Full Citation: Speech Given by Eugene V. Debs in Canton, Ohio; 6/16/1918; The United States of America v. Eugene V. Debs; Criminal Case Files, 1912 - 1986; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21; National Archives at Chicago, Chicago, IL. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/debs-speech-canton, March 18, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.