Governor grants sedition pardons

photo by Katrina Baldwin

Gov. Brian Schweitzer (center, with ever-present dog, Jag), poses after the May 3 ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda with students who participated in the Pardon Project. From left: Law students Katie Olson, Peter Lacny, Myshell Uhl, Jason Lazark, Schweitzer, broadcast student Bree Rafferty, law student Stuart Segrest, print grad student Caitlin Copple, professor Clem Work, law student Laura Beth Hurd, David Gabriel (great-grandson of August Lambrecht) and law student Maggie Weamer.

Pardons are first in state granted posthumously

Dozens of people gathered in the Capitol Rotunda on May 3 to witness the historic signing of posthumous pardons for those convicted early in the last century under the state's sedition law. For the families of those convicted, it was vindication. For J-School professor Clem Work, it was the culmination of years of work on his book, "Darkest Before Dawn," which chronicled the passage of the harsh state law and the stories of those tried and convicted. And for law and journalism students who worked on The Pardon Project, it was a chance to see justice in action.

"This should have been done a long time ago," the governor said.

Wrote Gwen Florio in the Great Falls Tribune story:

[T]he event's most eloquent words came from the journal of Herman Bausch, who even after his months in prison managed to find the world a hopeful place.

"No, I do not regret what I have done or rather what I refused to do," he wrote. "I have lost much, but I am more than ever in possession of my soul, my self-respect, and the love and affection of my beautiful wife .... I end with a prayer for the early establishment of world peace, for a greater humanity, a greater love among men."

photo by Katrina Baldwin

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer signs one of 78 pardons for Montanans convicted under the state's sedition act, while professor Clem Work examines the next to be signed.

The pardons were the subject of a front-page New York Times story on the day the governor signed them and spawned other stories around the country that day and the next. Links to those stories are below. For more information, see The Sedition Project Web site.

Stories from May 3:
CNN.com
Chicago Tribune
Associated Press
Billings Gazette editorial

Stories from May 4:
Los Angeles Times
Missoulian
Helena Independent-Record
Great Falls Tribune

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