Howard Fast wrote:

“The expelled Communist thus became the leper-heretic of today, living on under an interdiction unique since medieval times.”

Yes, but not so unique. Every group enforces its orthodoxy. The Sons of Liberty weren’t above some tarring and feathering.

In polite society today, at least my polite society, being a Republican is something akin o being a leper. And there’s no Father Damien to care for the unclean.

Howard Fast’s ‘April Morning’ is a fine novel about April 19, 1775.