Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, I don’t want to argue about it. The thing is that as an American I feel that all people, regardless of their political opinions or beliefs, whether they are Communist or non-Communists, are entitled to their rights to their political opinions and beliefs and to their civil rights and to their civil liberties as provided by our Constitution. I say that as a progressive American who really honestly and sincerely believes it. Mr. SCHERER. I think we all believe that. Mr. O’CONNELL. I didn’t get you, Congressman. Mr. SCHERER. I said I think we all believe in the statement you made. Mr. O’CONNELL. I was just expressing--that is my position on it. I just think it is dangerous to proscribe---- Mr. TAVENNER. You undertook in this telegram to accuse the judge of willful, unlawful, and unconstitutional attempt to deny the Communist Party leaders any defense. Mr. O’CONNELL. As I said, I don’t remember sending that wire. Mr. SCHERER. Do you deny it? Mr. O’CONNELL. Well, Congressman, I can’t say. I just don’t have any recollection of sending that wire, and I am saying that honestly and truthfully. I did think, and I still do think, that Judge Medina did restrict their defense at the trial. Mr. SCHERER. We have had some of the lawyers who appeared before Judge Medina in that trial appear before this committee, and I am just wondering how Judge Medina withstood the assault that was made upon him, not only by those lawyers but by telegrams such as the counsel has just read, which, of course, I believe you sent. Mr. O’CONNELL. Congressman, I really---- Mr. SCHERER. I think that was an attack on our judicial system that was a disgrace by those who participated in it. Mr. O’CONNELL. As I have said, I really don’t remember sending any such wire, and this is the first time that has ever been called to my attention. Mr. SCHERER. The Communists and their followers talk about persecution. If ever a fine jurist was persecuted for attempting to do his job, as he was required to do by law, Judge Medina was so persecuted and smeared. Mr. O’CONNELL. I have not condoned the conduct of the attorneys who were present at that trial. Mr. SCHERER. I understand that. Mr. O’CONNELL. I think--you have been here most of the time or a considerable part of the time I testified. Mr. SCHERER. I might say your conduct has been exemplary, you have been very respectful and we certainly have no complaint. You have used, I am not criticizing you for it, what is used regularly in matters such as this, namely, the convenient and overworked answers, “I don’t remember” and “not to my recollection, et cetera.”