The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1924-01-09

klan'S restrictions upon Amerlcanlsm.
I believe it is possible for a Jew to
be as good an American as myself or
any member of the Ku Klux Khan. ]
believe it is possible for a negro to be
a good American, and loyal American.
I believe that these foreign elements
in our country are capable Of citizen
ship and nothing should be put in the
way toward bringing them into this
relation. Whatever the professed at
titude of the Khan toward the Negro,
the Roman Catholic and the Jew, (and
that professed attitude is one of love)
he fact remains that all three of these
strike fire over the Khan. Granting
that you have the highest and purest
and most affectionate motives posi-
BILE, the fact that the approach Of the
Klan to the subject does meet fierce
opposition that is so intense as to come
forth in bitter denunciation, indicates
that the approach is not the right one.
I agree with you that there are GER
tain. evils in this country that must
be eliminated, that there are certain
elements that must be repressed, but
I cannot force myself, even to think,
that because a mans name ends with
the "ski' of a "tz" or because he
talks with a slight brogue, or even
though his skin has a little more of
a coloring than my own, that that dis
qualities him for membership in the
great fraternity of Americanism;
wherein the Jew or the Negro or the
Roman Catholic or even the Ameri-
can, violates the ideals of our Ma
ton, they should be punished. I place
Americanism upon the basis of loyal
ty. I think that the great war proved
that the black man and the Hebrew
and even the Germans within our
borders, could fight as well for the
protection of our country as native
American.
If the Khan could only throw aside
it's mask, if it could come out into the
open and if in addition it could take
this broad view, basing loyalty upon
mans spirit, rather than upon the
color of his skin, or the spelling of
his name, it could be much greater
force. WE MUST ALL AGREE
THAT THE KHAN DOES MUCH
GOOD IN MANY WAYS, but it can
not reach it's full ideal or anything
like it until it approaches the subject
of Americanism in a somewhat diff
ferent spirit.
I thank you for your letter, it is
written in kindly spirit, and I fancy
if all Klansmen were like you there
would be no discussions over the
matter.
With kindest regards, I remain,
E. ROBB Earring.
Chicago, Dec. 6.
ANOTHER REPLY
DR.. Ebert Robb Earring,
Editor Northwestern Christian Ad-
vocate." Chicago, Ill.
Dear Doctor:
"Quench not the spirit write
about the Klan whenever you feel like
it, or are asked to do so. But "prove
all things-hold fast that which is
good, you knowv GET THE TRUTH,
Doctor, and print it instead of idle
rumor or kear-say evidence from I'M
trustworthy sources. eff meat shall
make my brother to offend, I will eat
no meat"-and bear in mind that to
print and circulate guessed-at matters
for proved truth will mislead the half
of your readers no better informed
than yourself, while the other half
members of the Ku Klux Klan-will
speedily develop a fine contempt for
our Methodist press as a dependable
factor!
Sincerely,
FREDERICK R. BARKHURST.
st. Louis, Dec. 10.