Debs on Violating the Sedition Act: Questions

    Debs on Violating the Sedition Act: Questions

      1. Debs establishes himself as a rebel in the first paragraph and an idealistic Christian at the close—how would you characterize the overall tone of this speech?
      2. Why might Debs have focused on the Socialist message rather than arguing the unconstitutional nature of the Espionage and Sedition Acts?
      3. Does Debs rely more on ethos or pathos in crafting this "Statement to the Court"? Why do you think he does this?
      4. Many who were present in the court reported that audience members were crying as Debs spoke. What about Debs' past and present made his "Statement to the Court" so poignant?
      5. In one of his newspaper columns just before his arrest for the Canton speech, Debs wrote, "I have no country to fight for; my country is the earth; I am a citizen of the world." Was it wise for him to be so in-your-face about his allegiance to a larger cause than patriotism?