​​Ben Salmon
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      • With President Woodrow Wilson
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      • Killing The Wrong Men
      • Tax the Rich to Pay for the War
      • Conscripting Profits to Pay for the War
    • From the ACLU Archives
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  • About Friends of Franz and Ben
    • Friends Origin
PictureElizabeth, Margaret, Ben and Charles Salmon in Chicago

Ben Salmon
conscientiously objected to World War 1
and all war in opposition to
the majority of US citizens,
the US Government,
and his own Roman Catholic Church.
Ben's conscience earned him lengthy imprisonment, solitary confinement and broken health. One hundred years ago, he wrote extensively on Christ's command: "Thou shalt not kill." His life, work and witness are chronicled on this site.









Join the Army of Peace!
" I am in the army of Peace, and in this army I intend to live and die."
From Ben Salmon's letter to the local Denver draft board, December 26, 1917.

There are several groups presently promoting peace in the name of Ben Salmon and information on how to join their campaigns can be found at:
army of Peace
Stream New Salmon Documentaries!
The Ben Salmon Guild of Denver and the Friends of Franz & Ben are pleased to announce the completion of two short videos to encourage viewers to discuss the moral, legal and religious issues surrounding war.

Life & Message of Ben Salmon is a 12-minute video produced by the Ben Salmon Guild of Denver and videographer Michael Killman. Life & Message of Ben Salmon would be an excellent way to engage parish Faith Formation Classes, Confirmation classes, Human Development groups and all Catholics who question the morality of war. 

There Is No Just War, a 9-minute video, is the story of Ben Salmon's refusal to train to kill. Produced by Friends of Franz & Ben, the video's suggested audience is the general public as well as parochial schools and churches. There is No Just War promotes classroom discussion.

Please leave comments, critiques, reviews and questions on YouTube or email them directly to benjaminjosephsalmon at gmail dot com.
This video is also available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/eA9uZ4sZYCA.

Ben Salmon Wordsmith
The record of Ben's witness of love and forgiveness opposing killing and war is contained in his writings. Click the images to view his work.

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Pamphlets

Click on the image to view 3 circulars found in FBI files on Ben
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Correspondence

Letters to President Wilson are found by clicking on the typewriter.
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Magnum Opus

Ben typed 200+ pages in less than a month to justify his stand against killing to a sanity review board. Clicking the page above leads to Ben's major work.
Help Move Ben Salmon Toward Sainthood
You can now join in the movement to urge the church to recognize Benjamin Joseph Salmon as a Saint. Follow the link to the Sainthood page.

Here are a few of the comments submitted by Additional Signers of the petition:

 Julia Ganson     Religious Society of Friends, Cortland, NY
Ben Salmon seems like a perfect candidate for sainthood, living his Catholic faith (not necessarily the political position of the Catholic Church) and serving as a role model for loving your fellow humans and working toward world peace.
​

MaryLouise Chesley-Cora     Parish of the Resurrection, Hockessin, DE
I strive to live the Beatitudes of the non-violent Jesus, the Christ. I strongly support Ben Salmon’s cause.

Msgr. Charles E. DeRuisseaux     Diocese of Manchester, Manchester, NH
I support the process of pursuing the study of advancing the cause of Ben Salmon. May he be recognized by the Church as a saint for his stance in favor of peace for which he suffered. I believe we need more lay models of holiness so everyone can realize we are ALL called to be saints at our baptism. Sainthood is not just for founders of religious orders who have large communities pushing their Cause.

Patrick Henry     Walla Walla, WA
The Church has officially called for Gospel nonviolence as the path to peace. Ben Salmon got there before most of us and the Church itself. Let's reward this luminary for his example.

BLOGS

News
A blog relating recent events, articles, and videos featuring Ben Salmon.
Latest Post
Franz and Ben inspiring arts contestants in Brockport NY
3/14/2018


Professor Michael Baxter Urges Radical Pacifism Following Ben Salmon
3/10/2018

An Invitation to Re-think 100 years of Catholic Support for War
12/13/2017

Ben's grave is now marked!
11/13/2017

 Ben Salmon in America
10/6/2017

Diary
A blog chronicling the events of Ben's witness in the early 20th century.
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Latest post
Conscience's Consequences
1/24/2018

Picture
Holy Prophet Ben Salmon, Patron of Conscientious Objectors. Courtesy of Father William Hart McNichols. www.frbillmcnichols-sacredimages.com
  • Home
  • About Ben
    • Autobiography
    • Unsung Hero of the Great War
  • News
  • Diary
  • Ben's Writings
    • Ben's Magnum Opus
    • Correspondence >
      • With President Woodrow Wilson
    • Pamphlets >
      • Killing The Wrong Men
      • Tax the Rich to Pay for the War
      • Conscripting Profits to Pay for the War
    • From the ACLU Archives
    • From the National Archives
  • Sainthood
    • Letter >
      • Join the petition
    • Additional Signers
  • army of Peace
  • Resources
    • Photo Gallery
  • Memorial for Ben Salmon
  • About Friends of Franz and Ben
    • Friends Origin