Post-WWII - 1945, Germany: Nuremberg War Crime Trial, Robert Jackson Summation. 27Jul46
Slate: Munich no. 323. Gaveling & empty desks. Robert Jackson at lectern Mr. President & members of the Tribunal: An advocate can be confronted w/ few more formidable tasks than to select his closing arguments where there is great disparity between his appropriate time & his available material. In 8 months, a short time as state trials 'go, we have introduced evidence which embraces as vast & varied a panorama of events as has ever been compressed within the framework of a litigation. It is impossible in summation to do more than outline w/ bold strokes the vitals of this trial's mad & melancholy record which will live as the historical text of the twentieth century's shame & depravity. It is common to think of our own time as standing at the apex of civilization, from which the deficiencies of preceding ages may patronizingly be viewed in the light of what is assumed to be ‘progress’. The reality is that in the long perspective of history the present century will not hold an admirable position unless its second half is to redeem its first. These two-score years in the twentieth century will be recorded in the book of years as one of the most bloody in all annals.” (edit)
04:44:56 “This was the philosophy of the National Socialists. When for years they have deceived the world & masked falsehood w/ plausibilities, can anyone be surprised that they continue their habits of a lifetime in this dock? Credibility is one of the main issues of this Tribunal. Only those who have failed to learn the bitter lessons of the last decade can doubt that men who have always played on the unsuspecting credulity of generous opponents would not hesitate to do the same now. It is against such a background that these defendants now ask this Tribunal to say that they are not guilty of planning, executing or conspiring to commit this long list of crimes & wrongs. They stand before the record of this Trial as bloodstained Gloucester stood by the body of his slain king. He begged of the widow, as they beg of you: ‘Say I slew them not’. And the Queen replied: ‘Then say they were not slain. But dead they are.’ If you were to say of these men that they are not guilty it would be as true to say that there has been no war, there are no slain, there has been no crime.” (edit)
04:46:31 Jackson gathers papers & walks away.
Post-WW2; Holocaust Charges; Extermination; Evidence; Horrors of War; Crimes Against Humanity; 1940s;
NOTE: Partial or entire of 04:36:49 - 04:46:47 (2 cards) sold at per reel rate. Good sound quality.
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Post-WWII - 1945, Germany: Nuremberg War Crime Trial, Robert Jackson Summation. 27Jul46 Slate: Munich no. 323. Gaveling & empty desks. Robert Jackson at lectern Mr. President & members of the Tribunal: An advocate can be confronted w/ few more formidable tasks than to select his closing arguments where there is great disparity between his appropriate time & his available material. In 8 months, a short time as state trials 'go, we have introduced evidence which embraces as vast & varied a panorama of events as has ever been compressed within the framework of a litigation. It is impossible in summation to do more than outline w/ bold strokes the vitals of this trial's mad & melancholy record which will live as the historical text of the twentieth century's shame & depravity. It is common to think of our own time as standing at the apex of civilization, from which the deficiencies of preceding ages may patronizingly be viewed in the light of what is assumed to be ‘progress’. The reality is that in the long perspective of history the present century will not hold an admirable position unless its second half is to redeem its first. These two-score years in the twentieth century will be recorded in the book of years as one of the most bloody in all annals.” (edit) 04:44:56 “This was the philosophy of the National Socialists. When for years they have deceived the world & masked falsehood w/ plausibilities, can anyone be surprised that they continue their habits of a lifetime in this dock? Credibility is one of the main issues of this Tribunal. Only those who have failed to learn the bitter lessons of the last decade can doubt that men who have always played on the unsuspecting credulity of generous opponents would not hesitate to do the same now. It is against such a background that these defendants now ask this Tribunal to say that they are not guilty of planning, executing or conspiring to commit this long list of crimes & wrongs. They stand before the record of this Trial as bloodstained Gloucester stood by the body of his slain king. He begged of the widow, as they beg of you: ‘Say I slew them not’. And the Queen replied: ‘Then say they were not slain. But dead they are.’ If you were to say of these men that they are not guilty it would be as true to say that there has been no war, there are no slain, there has been no crime.” (edit) 04:46:31 Jackson gathers papers & walks away. Post-WW2; Holocaust Charges; Extermination; Evidence; Horrors of War; Crimes Against Humanity; 1940s; NOTE: Partial or entire of 04:36:49 - 04:46:47 (2 cards) sold at per reel rate. Good sound quality.