Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-07-25
A VIGOROUS PROTEST.

\
is attracting nationwide attention and
calling forth deserved denunciation
from men of all creeds who are OPP
posed to stirring up race prejudices in
the United States. In the Judgment OF
the Freeman Journal Mr.. Ford is per-
hitting his editorial writer's to indulge
in what amounts to treason to the
ideals and principles of our free instl-
tntions, founded upon the broad strnc-
ture of religious and political freedom
and equality regardless of race, creed,
previous nationality or place OF birth.
Theodore Roosevelt, the greatest AM
erican since Lincoln, delineated Am
erican ideals in n very few words
when he referred to ''the historic Am
erican position of treating each man on
his merits as man, without the least
reference to his creed, his race. or his
birthplace" That is genuine American
ism and it must be practiced if this
country is going to endure ard escape
the frightfulness created in Europe by
religious and political intolerance.
Henry FOrds paper is doing all it pos
sibly can to uproOt this principle and
create undying prejudice against a
race of people that have been long
suffering and endured untold persecu-
lions for centuries.
Some time ago number of the lead
| ing citizens of this country, headed by
such men and publicists as Woodrow
Wilson. William Howard Taft. Lyman
Abbott, Newton d. Baker, Albert j.
| Beyeridge, w. J. Bryan. Bainbridge
Colby, Clarence S. Darrow. Harry A.
Garfield, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., J..
NJ. Garrison, Hamilton Holt, David
Starr Jordan. Robert Lansing. Ben b.
Lindsey, Edwin Markham, f. I.
Meredith, Joseph Fort Norton. and
scores of others, representing all reli-
gions and no religions, issued protest
over their signatures Of the damnable
propaganda that Henry .Ford's news
| paper is carrying on against the Jews.
| Following is a copy Of the protest
these gentlemen signed and caused to
be circulated among the people:
The undersigned. citizens of Gentle
birth and Christian faith, view with
profound regret and disapprOval the
appearance in this country of what Is
appa rently an organized campaign OF
anti -Semitism, conducted in close con-
formity to, and cooperation with.
similar campaigns in Europe. We re-
greet exceedingly the publication of a
number Of bboks, pamphlets and news
paper articles designed to foster dis
trust and suspicion of our fellOw-citi-
zens of Jewish ancestry and faith
distrust and suspicion of their loyalty
and their patriotism.
These publications.. to which wide
circulation is being given. are thus in
| Producing into our national political
life new and dangerous spirit, one
that is wholly Mt variance with our ira
ditiOns and ideals and subvcrsive OF
our system of government. American
citizenship and American democracy
are thus challenged and menaced. We
| protest against this organized cam.
paign of prejudice and hatred, not only
because of its manifest injustice to
those against whom it is directed, but
also and especially, because we are
| convinced that it is wholly incOmpat-
lille with loyal and Intelligent Ameri-
can citizenship. The logical outcome
OF the success Of such n campaign
must necessarily be the division of Onr
citizens along racial and religious
lines. and. ultimately, the introduction
OF religious tests and qualifications to
determine citizenship.
| The loyalty and patriotism Of our
fellow citizens Of the Jewish faith is
| equal to that Of any part Of our peO-
pie, and requires no defense ut Our
| hands. From the foundation Of this
Republic down TO the recent World
| War. men and women of Jewish an
cestry and faith have taken an honor
able part in building up this great ma
ton and maintaining its prestige and
! honor among the nations Of the world
There is not the slightest justification,
therefore, for campaign Of anti
Semitism in this country.
Anti-Semitism is almost invariably
associated with lawlessnesS and with
brutality and injustice 1t is also In
variably found closely INTERVIEWED
with other sinister forces. particularly
those which are corrupt, rcactiOnary
and oppressive.
We believe it should not he left to
| men and women Of Jewish faith to
fight this evil, but that it is in very
=