Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-28
ANT|-K LAN PLANK
URGED IN SPEECH
NAMING UNDERWOOD

NEW YORK, June 26.-The de-
mand of Senator Oscar w. Under
wood of Alabama, at the Democratic
national convention to condemn by
name the political activities of the
Ku Klux Khan was voiced to the con-
vention Wednesday by Forney john
ston. of Alabama, as the keynote of
his speech placing Mr.. Underworld
name before the convention for the
presidential nomination.
mo bare reference to the constitu-
ton or tho bill Of rights, actually
mentioned in the khan oath, is ade-
urate in this connection" Mr.. john
ston declared. The bill of rights
is limitation only upon the state and
federal governments and not upon
private conspiracy. That is why the
candidate of my people has insisted
upon plain words
1.-The question before this party is
whether secret organizations shall be
given powers immune from the bill
of rights and superior to those dele
gated to the elected representatives
of the, people.
Resolution of 1856
"Above all does the candidate we
represent condemn the massed &C
ton of secret political orders in
furtherance OF any objective which
is plainly contrary to the spirit of
the constitution.
I'm order to express squarely his
opinion on this grave question, /
have at his request, introduced a res
olution reciting the established posi-.
ton of our part on that precise is
sue referring to the resolution Of
1856 and concluding with this resolv.
ing clause:
Resolved: That we do reaffirm
the principles set forth in the said
resolution of the Democratic plat
form of 1856 and condemn as I'm.
American and un-Democratic politi-
cal action by secret or quasi secret
organizations in furtherance of any
political objective whatsoever and in
particular do we condemn such action
for the purpose of prescribing the
political rights and privileges of citi-
zens of the United States, as is now
proposed. practiced. and publicly &C.
knowledged by the organizations
known as the Ku klux Khan, and as
may now or hereafter be proposed or
practiced by any organization what.
soever''
Senator Underwood, Mr.. Johnston
sad, had no word to say against
those who Joined any order, secret or
othefWlse, organized for lawful pur.
pose or TO advocate openly any prin.
clple within the scope Of legitimate
public discussion.
AT another point Mr.. Johnston said
the outstanding characteristic of the
democratic party was that it stood
LOT the protection Of human rights
ny projecting public officials against
orsan1zed oppression and intinida.
'loh. Senator Underwood had re-.
quested' he said, that his position be
mace plain beyond misunderstood.
ing by the delegates on this grave
! issue, and added:
Warning to Party
"He believes that unless the issue
| is met with candor and dignity in
this compaign, you will not only in.
vite the distintegration of this party
| but will take a backward step SO
wholly inconsistent with the basis
of a modern liberal government as to
be too unthinkable for the Democrat.
&c party to accept or condone.'
The speaker described Senator I'm.
| derwbod as one whose "only employ.
er for more than a quarter of a cent.
ury last past has been the people Of
the United States.''
IF man ever lived in modern
| times apart from embarrassing or en-.
| tangling associations or environment,
1t is the man we now propose Mr..
Johnston declared. The one in
| despensable requisite of your choice
| IS that it fall on a man of such ex.
allied character that neither Wall
| street nor Main street. Boulevard or
Alley, neither partisan journal nor
Wayslde assassin dare impeach his
character without earning immediate
| derlslon; and such man is this
| democrat whom we place in nomina,
| ton"