Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-17

bennington, VT, Jan. ia prote;
against anti-Semitic. propaganda IL
the United States, bearing the name:i
o. President Wilson, William Fl. Taft,
Cardinal OConnell and 116 others
widely known men and women of
christian faith, was made public
here tonight by John Spargo, Social,
ist author. 1t exhorts particularly
those who are "moulders of public
opinion-the clergy and ministers of
all Christian churches. publicists.
teachers, editors and statesmen-to
strike at this un-American and I'M
Christian agitation"
we regret exceedingly" the pro-
test said, 1.-The publication of a num-
Der of books, pamphlets and newspa-
per articles designed to foster dis
trust and suspicion of our fellow citi-
zens of Jewish ancestry and faith
dstrust and suspicion of their loyal
Is and their patriotism.
"A new and dangerous spirit, it as
serted, is being introduced into the
national POLITICAL life by these publi-
cations. challenging and menacing
american citizenship and American
democracy. Men and women of Jew
ish faith, it declared, should not be
required all alone to fight this evil,
but that it is in a very special sense
he duty of citizens who are not Jews
10y ancestry and>faith
To Mr.. Spargo's request for his APP
proval of the protest, President Will
son wrote:
"T have your letter of December %
and L am heartily in sympathy with
the protest against the anti-Semetic
movement. l beg that you will add
my name to the signatures"
President Elect Harding, in letter
made by Mr.. Spargo, declared MS
disapproval of anti-Semetism but ex-
pressed a desire to avoid creating a
precedent by signing the protest. He
wrote:
II am sure you can understand why
at the present time I am seeking the
avoidance of undue publicity and re-
Iuctant to make public statements re-
lating to any of our pending problems
| am not less sure that you already
know. and that the American people
already believe, that I am giving no
sanction to anything 80 narrow, SO
intolerant or so un-American as the
ant-Semetic movement. L have been
preaching the gospel of understand
ing and good will and no one who be-
lieyes in these things and hopes for
the concord of America can be inter-
csted in any movement against any
portion of our American citizenship"
we protest against this organized
campaign Of prejudice and hatred" the
signers declared, mot only because of
its manifest injustice to those against
whom it is directed, but also and es-
recialiy because we are convinced that
it is wholly incompatible with loyal
and intelligent American citizenship.
Tie loyalty and patriotism of our
fellow citizens of the Jewish faith"
It added. lis equal to that of any part
Of our people AND requires no defense
At our hands"
Secretary of state Colby sent his
approval by cablegram from South
America. Others who signed were
Secretary of War Baker, Secretary OF
Agriculture Meredith, former Secreta-
ries OF state Bryan and Lansing, for
1uer Secretary of War Lindley NJ. Gar
rison former Secretary of the Interior
Franklin X. Lane and former Attor-
pey General George w. Wickersham.
Several college presidents. are on
tie list including Nicholas Murray
i.utler of Columbia University. John
Grer uibben Of Princeton University.
u. y. Garfield of Williams College,
i.rnpst Martin Hopkins of Dartmouth
College. Henry Churchill King of Ober-
lin College, James r. Day, chancellor
ct Syracuse University, and Thomas
!. Shahan. rector of the Catholic Uni
Ncrsity cs America.
Among the churchmen in the list are
Robert T.. Spoer.. pres dent of the Fed
eral Council of the Churches of Christ
IN America: Bishop Charles d. VIII
iiams of Michigan. Bishop Benjamin
Brewster of Maine, Bishop Chauncey
II. Brewster of Connecticut. Arch
bishop Patrick J. Hayes of New York,
Dean W. p. Ladd of the Berkeley d.
rntE school and Bishop ID. j. O'Con-