TRIAL FOR BLASPHEMY Trial of C.B. Reynolds for Blasphemy, at Morristown, N.J., May 19th and 20th, 1887

Softcover. 1913 Reprint (1st pub. 1888). A compelling defence speech delivered in 1887 at Morristown, New Jersey. Ingersoll, a renowned orator and agnostic, defended C.B. Reynolds, a freethought missionary charged with blasphemy for criticising Christianity. The 72-page text passionately argues for freedom of speech, asserting that Reynolds’ right to express his honest thoughts is constitutionally protected. Ingersoll challenges the archaic blasphemy statute, critiques religious intolerance, and highlights the absurdity of punishing dissent in a free society. Though Reynolds was fined $25, Ingersoll’s defence significantly undermined such laws’ credibility. 84pp. trade size card covers. Lightly sunned, v. sl. wear to edges o/w Vg.