The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-09-29
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WHO - tti0iNb liiiN 'A'ii'''''N ''''''
II IN a notorious fact iudolbly written into
tho record that the religious qucetion was inject.
cd into the Oklahoma gubcruniorlal campaign
by the democratic politicians OF the state II was
the major issue between II. L. Wilson and j. c.
Walton, and was 40 recognized by tho entire
public a fun week before the primary in August
Immediately following tho primary an attempt
was made also by democratic politicians. TO
infect the ls.uo into the contest between The
republican candidate and the reconstruction
democratic candidate This effort wac blocked
by John Flcld's splendid statement made pub
lie on sunday before tho republican convention
met which read as follows:
dcplore the injection OF racial fratcrnnl
and religious qucatio0e into the primary
cnmpaisn OF tho opposition d,nouuce
all attempts TO continue this agitation into
the fan campaign. | SHAH always oppose
any effort which may he mad" by any Sc
rret, fratoIual or religious urA tpl'ptiou TO
obtain coutroi OF the s'u' 4or,tnment
stand for Il government which Is the union
of all the ple-constutionai, orderly and
just-and for the BIN OF Rights which is
American citizens richest legacy
81 don't suppose this will satisfy everybody.
or anybody" said Fields at the time ne gave
out the statement. but II states exactly what
is down in my insdes concerning all of tho
questions raised these subjects, Certainly
shall not cuss out any organization without
cussng out all of them. l can't bring myself 20
see why I should condemn one bunch without
condcmnlng several others. 7 may change my
mind, and | may get licked II | don't change my
mind. or IL do, but that Is not important. 1t
IL important that endeavor 90 maintain some
shreds OF mental integrity throughout this
test"
This frank statement OF hs views and hls
position by the candidate was adopted az the
party position by tho state convention a few
days later, And the action served TO take tho
religious issue completely out Of the state cam
paign Nor has It been referred TO directly
indirectly by the republican candidate In
single speech personal uttcrance since that
time, excepting MS he has net questions by re-
ferring to his first statement set forth above.
In view OF this record imagine the astonlsh-
ment OF the public when It read In Walton's first
campaign speech at Crescent. and In every
speech he has made since. a determined effort
10 raise and discuss the religious issue
what ls the purpose?
And on what grounds does he Justify him
self for seeking to keep alive the prcjudces OF
religion and race and color?
His opponent stands not only consutu-
tlonal ground, but the highest OF constitutional
ground; he has confined his campaign remarks
90 political and economic interests OF vital
moment. why, then. does the reconstructlon-
democratic candidate go outside both platforms
and bewldcrlugly outside tho platform OF his
opponent TO raise m issue that docs not exist
In Tulsa Wednesday he made speech be-
fore the local democratic organization in which
he charged that Fields had secret emissares
going from house to house charging that he,
walton, is a Catholic. II IL difficult 20 meet
such a charge as this without using the short
and ugly word Jack Walton deliberately lied
when he made such charge ana more than
that he knew at the time he was lying.
The only known individual in this campaign
TO raise the religious question Is Jack Walton.
That he has raised 1t In order to play politics
with IT, and that his purpose rs clearly under
stood BY every thinking man and woman In the
state is too apparent to even question.
II further proof was needed 10 prove that this
apostle of Towncylsm ana the radical elements
II the state is wholly irresponsible and willing
20 practice any sort Of dupllcty, arouse any kind
OF passion and prejudice to win votes and that
ne is entirely uncoucerncd about maintaining
mental integrity that additional evidence !s az
hand in his creation Of this religious straw man
which he is inslstcnty biting In every public
utterance.
II walton doesn't want the religiouS issue IN
the campaign, let him put It back where he
found IT, We assure him no one else will dis
.urb the thing!
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EXIT TOM WATSON OF GEORGIA,