The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1922-10-17
A STATEMENT
FROM ". c. BELMAN
Hammond, Indiana.
October 18th, 1922.


Editor Times.
Dear Sir:-I hesitate to use the
columns of your paper to answer
any criticism that may be made
concerning any position / may take
on public questions. But it seems
to me that the following letter calls
for statement from me, because
the writer seems to be honestly
pathetic in his attitude toward a
real problem in our community and
seems to have high ideals TO guide
him in that attitude. Had he given
me his name. l should have an
swered him privately but the fact
that similar statements as to my
relation to the question have come
to me personally from several
sources. that am in sympathy with
and encourage the organization re-
ferred to- seems to call from me a
public denial.
Mr.. Belman:
Il heard lots times that you
are the biggest American in
Hammond. Bigger than our
mayor Then why did you let
about US foreigners like that.
That man says because l came
from the old country 1 got a
knife in one hand and bomb
in another kand. Now that's
lie. / love America. I went
to night school and l am citi-
zen. work hard and pay
taxes. like America better
than Polan1. My babies will be
real Americans. He said be-
cause 1 so to Catholic church
that he don't like US. My neigh
Dor is a real American. He al
ways says hello to me. Now he
don't do that My wife says
maybe he got a ku Klux Khan
That hurts much. That man
said they put their hand on the
Bible We all like the Bible.
God loves all peoples from all
the churches If they honest. One
man said YOU got the money
from them.
4 Foreign American.
Speaking as a plain American
citizen. l admit that I am in hearty
accord with the plan OF religious
training in the public schools ana
contribute generously towards that
program in financial way. am
not. however, on any committee
which outlines it's course of STUDY
nor raises funds for its support
therefore. had nothing to do with
the taking of the money given oy
the Ku Klux Khan organization
Personally. 1 have no hesitation
In accepting money when it is TO
be used for a purpose that is just
and honorable. /, however, Woulo
never compromise my position oy
the taking Of such money. 1t Is dis
+inrtlv understood, that the WORK
of the religious training is TO make
the children in Hammond God-loV-
ing American children That means,
In nv mind, that the fatherhood OF
God and the Brotherhood of man, as
taught by the Bible does not in any ,
uav draw lines of hate between
catholic and Protestant. between
Iavv and Gentle, between black man
and white man. between foreleh
horn and American born; but rather
teaches our children that true man
hood is measured by the love tnat
a man has in his heart for God ana
his fellowman. l stand on lhs
broad ground that the fathers took
when they founded this country
that all mon were created equal.
And without regard to creed, color
or birth. they are entitled TO all 'he
tights and privileges of this repuo-
lie which we all profess TO love Inc
right to worship God according 10
the dictates OF his own conscience
The highest attainment an Amerl- !
can can achieve is TO love ms tci-
low man and endeavoT to urge oln-
ers TO do likewise. lie who stirs
IN strife between lis fellow mar
has vet to learn the lessons OF ms
proper relation to God. his brother
and his community.
1 wonder if such strife is worthy
Of right minded Hammond citizens.