"BATTLE BETWEEN FUNDAMENTALISM & EVOLUTION"

BRYAN SAYS SCOPES IS 'DOING MORE HARM' TO TEACHERS THAN 'ANY OTHER CLASS'

Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 9, 1925, the day before the 'Monkey Trial' is scheduled to begin here in Dayton, Associated Press reports the release of a statement from Dr. John R. Neal*, defense council of John T. Scopes, which says that a constitutional amendment "will likely be forthcoming."

The AP report terms the 'Scopes' trial as "a battle between fundamentalism and evolution."

For his part, prosecuting attorney William Jennings Bryan says "the evolutionists...are relying on the courts to force their views upon the schools." 

 It is Bryan's belief that Mr. Scopes "is doing more to harm teachers than to any other class."

JFK+50 NOTE

The teaching of Charles Darwin's theory of the evolution of man was in conflict in the view of religious fundamentalists with the teachings of the origin of man in the Bible.  This group believed in a strict interpretation of "the word of God."  That interpretation did not lend itself to the scientific arguments of evolutionists.

*Dr. John Randolph Neal, Jr. (1876-1959) was born in Rhea Springs, Tennessee & earned his A.B. at the University of Tennessee, 1893, his L.L.B. at Vanderbilt University, 1896 & his PhD at Columbia University, 1899.  

JRN taught law at the University of Denver & University of Tennessee & became known as 'the great objector' for his uncompromising support of progressive causes.

SOURCE

"Bryan Raps Scopes As Teachers' Foe On Eve of Trial," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 9, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Dr. John R. Neal & John T. Scopes

Bain News Service (1925)

Library of Congress

"IN ORDER THAT DAY MAY TRIUMPH OVER NIGHT"

DARROW GIVES OPINION OF EVOLUTION TRIAL ADVERSARY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN

New York City (JFK+50) On May 18, 1925, famed Chicago lawyer Clarence Darrow, who joins in the defense of Tennessee public school teacher, John T. Scopes, who is charged with violation of "the law forbidding the teaching of evolution", gave his opinions on William Jennings Bryan* who will be his adversary for the prosecution.

Mr. Darrow said...

"Nero tried to kill Christianity with persecution and law.  Bryan would block enlightenment with law.  Nero failed as will Bryan.  More persons are studying evolution in Tennessee now than before the law was passed."

Darrow and fellow attorney Dudley Field Malone will pay the expenses for the evolution trial to be held in July in Dayton, Tennessee "in order that day may triumph over night."

JFK+ 50 NOTE

The law in question is the Butler Act (1925) passed by the Tennessee State Legislature & Senate and signed into law by Gov. Austin Peay.  The law prohibited public school teachers of the state of Tennessee to deny the account in the book of Genesis of man's origin or to teach the theory of evolution.  

The Butler Act was sponsored by Rep. John Washington Butler who represented Macon, Trousdale & Sumner counties north of Nashville.

*William Jennings Bryan was a driving force in the Democratic Party having been nominated 3 times for POTUS.  WJB also served as Secretary of  State under Woodrow Wilson.  He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church & a strong opponent of the doctrine of evolution.

SOURCE

"Darrow Likens Bryan to Nero as Futile Opponent of Great Doctrine's Spread," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., May 18, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Statue of William Jennings Bryan

Rhea County Courthouse

Dayton, Tennessee

by self, J Fisher (2007)

"EMPHASIS ON ISSUE OF FREEDOM OF TEACHING & LEARNING"

SCOPES, ACCUSED OF TEACHING EVOLUTION, TO BE DEFENDED BY DARROW AND MALONE

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) On March 17, 1925, The Sunday Star reports that yesterday nationally known trial lawyers Clarence Darrow* and Dudley Field Malone** have offered their services in the defense of John Thomas Scopes*** of Dayton, Tennessee.

Mr. Scopes is charged with violation of the recently enacted Tennessee state law (Butler Act) "forbidding teaching of any theory of evolution."

The offers were accepted by Dr. John R. Neal, leading defense counsel.  Dr. Neal emphasizes that the forthcoming trial, slated for the summer months, will center around the issue of freedom of teaching and learning rather than the validity of the theory of evolution.

The American Civil Liberties Union hired Dr. Neal "to test the constitutionality" of the Butler Act.

JFK+50 NOTE

The Scopes "Monkey" Trial was held July 10-25 1925 in Dayton (Rhea County) Tennessee (north of Chattanooga).   It sparked a national debate on the role of science & religion in public schools.  Although Scopes was found guilty & fined $100, the verdict was later overturned.

*Clarence Seward Darrow (1857-1938) was born in Farmdale, Ohio & educated at the University of Michigan Law School.  CSD became famous as a high-profile advocate for trade union causes & some said he was the greatest lawyer of the 20th century.

**Dudley Field Malone (1882-1950) was born in New York City & educated at Fordham University School of Law.  DFM was one of the most prominent liberal attorneys of the 1920s.

***J.R. Neal, Jr. (1876-1959) was born in Rhea Springs, TN & educated at the University of Tennessee (AB), Vanderbilt University (LLB) & Columbia University (PhD).  JRN served in the TN state legislature & became known as the "Great Objector" supporting progressive causes.

SOURCE

"Darrow and Malone Aid Is Accepted For Scopes," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., March 17, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

J.R. Neal Jr & John T. Scopes

Bain News Service (1925)

Library of Congress

"MONKEY BUSINESS IN THE PULPIT"

NOT ONE SOUL IN CHURCH SERVICE WILL 'CONCEDE' ANCESTRY WITH SIMIAN

Norfolk, Virginia (JFK+50) Associated Press reports that at yesterday morning's service at Park Avenue Baptist Church here in Norfolk, Rev. Dr. Floyd T. Holland preached on the topic 'Man or Monkey?'

While this topic is not that unusual in this day and age given the recent debate on the origin of man, the fact that Rev. Holland exhibited a live monkey "tethered a few feet from the pulpit" was a bit surprising.

At the end of his sermon, the Rev. held up the monkey and "challenged" the congregation to "standup and concede common ancestry with the simian."

According to AP, "nobody stood up!"

JFK+50 NOTE

The monkey, from the Norfolk Zoo, was exhibited in the church as a response to a proposed bill in the North Carolina legislature to prohibit the teaching of the theory of evolution in state supported schools.

States enacting anti-evolution laws in the 1920s included Arkansas, North Carolina & Tennessee.  Violation of The Volunteer States's Butler Act (1925) led to the Scopes 'Monkey' Trial in Dayton, TN (July 1925).

The rise of Christian fundamentalism, which holds that the theory of evolution contradicts the Bible's account of creation, led to the anti-evolution movement of the 1920s.  The theory, published in 1859 by Charles Darwin, was accepted by most in the scientific community.

SOURCE

"Evolution Controversy," by  Lester Stephens, New Georgia Encyclopedia, www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/

"Monkey in Church Pastor's Exhibit In Evolution Rap," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 16, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Monkey Eating an Apple

Freerangestock.com/