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Resolution
Whereas, we, the Swedish speaking people of [???] in massmeeting assembled, have learned that one countryman of ours, JOSEPH HILLSTROM by name, is being unjustly held in jail in Salt Lake City, Utah, under sentence to die on Nov. 19, 1915;
Whereas, we from all accounts of his trial have become convinced that the said Joseph Hillstrom is innocent of the crime of which is accused and is merely a victim of a conspiracy, due to hatred and prejudice on account of his activity in the labor movement; Whereas, Joseph Hillstrom never had a fair trial; Whereas, he has been denied a new trial in spite of the gravest errors in his trial; and Whereas, this innocent man is in immediate danger of being judicially murdered, due to the stubbon prejudice of his judges, and Whereas, these same judges in the Board of Pardon have tried to justify their position by slandering the character of the many they unjustly deliver to death, by falsely imputing to him a criminal record;
Therefore, be it
Resolved, that we, one for all, and all for one, demand that the execution of Joseph Hillstrom be stayed, and that he be immediately liberated or granted a new trial. The sentence has been pronounced by men, and it can be set aside by men as long as Hillstrom is alive. Law was made for the sake of man and not man fo rthe sake of the law. And be it further Resolved, that we condemn as cowardly the action of the Board of Pardons in falsely imputing, through the press, a criminal record to a man whom they deny the chance to defend himself; and be it further Resolved, that should, contrary to our expectations, the sentence be carried out, we shall hold the whole American people responsible for such an outrage; and be it further Resolved, that in such a case American citizenship has no longer any value to us, and that we forsware the loyalty and allegiance to American laws, government and institutions, which has heretofore characterized our people. For where law and government cease to be the instruments of justice and are used for the murder of the innocent, loyalty ceases to be a virtue. And be it further Resolved, that these resolutions be immediately communicated to the press, to the President of the United States, to the Governor of the State of Utah and to the Mayor of our City.
[??] Chairman of Meeting. Nov. 11, 1915. [??] [??]
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Resolution
Whereas, we, the Swedish speaking people of Rockford, Ill. in massmeeting assembled, have learned that one countryman of ours, JOSEPH HILLSTROM by name, is being unjustly held in jail in Salt Lake City, Utah, under sentence to die on Nov. 19, 1915;
Whereas, we from all accounts of his trial have become convinced that the said Joseph Hillstrom is innocent of the crime of which is accused and is merely a victim of a conspiracy, due to hatred and prejudice on account of his activity in the labor movement; Whereas, Joseph Hillstrom never had a fair trial; Whereas, he has been denied a new trial in spite of the gravest errors in his trial; and Whereas, this innocent man is in immediate danger of being judicially murdered, due to the stubbon prejudice of his judges, and Whereas, these same judges in the Board of Pardon have tried to justify their position by slandering the character of the many they unjustly deliver to death, by falsely imputing to him a criminal record;
Therefore, be it
Resolved, that we, one for all, and all for one, demand that the execution of Joseph Hillstrom be stayed, and that he be immediately liberated or granted a new trial. The sentence has been pronounced by men, and it can be set aside by men as long as Hillstrom is alive. Law was made for the sake of man and not man fo rthe sake of the law. And be it further Resolved, that we condemn as cowardly the action of the Board of Pardons in falsely imputing, through the press, a criminal record to a man whom they deny the chance to defend himself; and be it further Resolved, that should, contrary to our expectations, the sentence be carried out, we shall hold the whole American people responsible for such an outrage; and be it further Resolved, that in such a case American citizenship has no longer any value to us, and that we forsware the loyalty and allegiance to American laws, government and institutions, which has heretofore characterized our people. For where law and government cease to be the instruments of justice and are used for the murder of the innocent, loyalty ceases to be a virtue. And be it further Resolved, that these resolutions be immediately communicated to the press, to the President of the United States, to the Governor of the State of Utah and to the Mayor of our City.
Fred [?Melsan?] Chairman of Meeting. 2208 [?Parmela St.?] Nov. 14, 1915. at S.M. + S.7. Hall. 976 Admissions Resolution unanimously adopted
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Petition
Hon. Wm. Spry. Salt Lake City, Utah
Governor of Utah: This appeal is directed to the Board of Pardons in behalf of Joseph Hillstrom, under sentence of death in the Utah Penitentiary. We have read and heard something of the case: 1st We do not believe Josepf Hillstrom guilty of the crime for which he has been convicted 2nd We do not believe that he had a fair trial. 3rd We have learned that the jurors were not selected in the usual way. 4th The defendant was practically without council when he was on trial for his life. 5th No motive was shown for the crime of which he ws convicted. 6th The conviction was found upon the flimsiest kind of circumstantial evidence. Believing these to be the facts, we, the undersigned, demand that the death sentence in the case of Joseph Hillstrom
