The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-01-21
.FARR|S TO FOLLOW
DEMOCRATIC DOCTRINE
AS Elucidated by Thomas
Jefferson and Party
Platforms.

Platforms.
Hon. Ion L. Farris, candidate for
Governor, in an open letter to Geo. G.
Matthews, editor of the Fort Lauder
dale Sentinel, has thoroughly defined
Democratic principles, particularly on
questions injected by Rev. Sidney J..
Cats in his campaign thus far
through the State. The letter is an
able legal argument and is free from
billingsgate so common among those
on both sides of this religo- -politico
controversy, and The News publishes
it in full for the vaule it will have
among the masses of the people, es-
ecially those who seem prone to be
governed by prejudice rather than rea-
S n. The letter to Mr.. Matthews fol-
lows:
Dear Sir:
My attention has been called to an
editorial comment by you in recent
issue of your paper, commendatory Of
the candidacy of Rev. S. J. Cats for
Governor, and attacking Messrs. Hud.
son, Knott, Wood and myself, from
which quote as follows:
what other man out for Go
ernor will tell you where he
stands on the leading questions
confronting the American people
at this time? Mr.. Cats is max
ing votes all the time and unless
the papers can give some better
proof of his unftness for the
place than the old cry that he is
a demagogue, that he is a danger
Gus man, they will find that they
are helping him as they abuse
him. Have Knott, Farris, Wood,
and Hudson let the people know
for what they stand? Will they
do so before the campaign is
over? We think not"
In order that you may become bet
ter acquainted with me, want you to
understand that there is no element
of mental, moral or physical coward
ice in my makeup, and there will be
no doubt about this left in your mind
by the time this campaign is over.
Addressing myself to the particular
subject that you evidently had in mind
when you wrote the editorial referred
to, l want to say that stand square
ly upon the Federal and State Con-
stitutions, and upon the principles
and platforms of the great Demo-
cratic Party.
To be more specific, stand for the
total separation Of church and state;
for the protection and preservation of
our free institutions, and especially
our public school system; | stand
against any teaching or influence i'll
the public schools affecting any creed;
l stand against the diversion of pub
lie funds or lands to any sectarian
school or to any religious purpose; ]
stand for freedom of speech and of
the press.
These great principles are embodied
in the Federal and State Constitu-
tions, and as a patriotic American
citizen, l stand unfinchingly by them.
But let me call your attention to the
fact that there are other fundamen-
al principles embraced in the organic
law of the land which you and your
candidate are evidently willing to
under foot:
The Constitution of the State Of
Florida contains strong language gu
equal CIVIL AND PO-
LITICAL RIGHTS TO ALL"
1t is provided by the Declaration Of
rights-a part of the State Constitu-
tion-that "THE FREE EXERCISE
AND ENJOYMENT OF RELIGIOUS
AND WORS S H ?
SHALL FOREVER BE ALLOWED
IN THIS STATE"
mo preference shall be given by
aw to any Church, sect or mode OF
and no money shall ever be
aiken from the public treasury, di-
rectly or indirectly, in aid of any
Church, sect or religious denomina-
ion, or in aid of any sectarian lnsti-
,utiOn."
The Constitution of the United
States provides that
Congress shall make no law re-
,pecting the establishment of religion,
Or prohibiting the free exercise there
,f," and that ,.
mo religious test shall ever be re-
Iuired as a qualification to any office
,r public trust under the United
States"
The Constitution requires every vo-
;er to take an oath to protect and
lefend the Constitution Gf the United
States and of the State of Florida.
In the light of the foregoing Con-
,titutional provisions, l have no hesi-
.ancy in saying that any party, church
1r organization, secret or open, Cath
bic or Protestant, that requires its
members to take an oath that conflicts
With the oath to protect and defend
he Federal and State Constitutions,
S a menace to organized society, ana
IS a traitor to his country.
| am a Democrat, believeing firmly
n the principles and doctrines of de-
nocracy as elucidated and defined by
Thomas jefferson, but above every
hing. | am an American citizen, and
will keep the oath l have taken to
support, protect and defend the Con-
;titution, whether l hold public Of
ice or not. More than this, | will de-
END my party whenever and wherev-
If it may be assailed, it matters not
rom what source the attack may
,ome.
Tho nap,ocratic PARTY is n political