New Britain herald., 1924-08-22
democratic Presidential Candidate Delivers Opening Speech of Campaign = Criticizes Oil Adventures.
PROSECUTION THREAT
 NOT EXECUTED

Sea Girt. N. J.. Aug. 22.-calling the Ku Kiux Klan by name. John w. Davis, democratic presidential nominee. declared in an address here today that this organization or any other which raises the standard of racial or religious prejudices. must be condemned by all those who be- lieve as I do in American ideals.
 Having thus made his own position clear, Mir. Davis expressed the hope that President Coolidge, as the re- publican presidential candidate. would sec At, "by some explicit declaration" to join with him in entirely removing the Kan issue from the field of poli- teal debate.
 Mir. Davis said these matters must not be permitted to divert the atten- ton of the public from the vital questions now before them and added that the Klan issue had no proper part in this or any other campaign.
 The democratic nominees declara- ton with respect to the Klan, pre- pared after his arrival here, was made at the conclusion of his set ad- dress. the second of his campaign.
 There Is one other word l wish to say. It concerns matter that has no proper part in this or any other campaign and which must not be per- mitted to divert attention from those issues the people must settle in Mo- vember by their vote. I mention it now in the hope that I may dispose of 1t once and for all so far as I am concerned
 Since my arrival in Sea Girt have been asked by more than one person now present in this audience what views l entertain concerning the organization known as the Ku klux klan. l am constrained to think that those who ask this question did not hear or have not done me the honor to read speech of accept ance which T delivered at Clarksburg on the 11th of this month.
 Tn that speech l took occasion to declare that nothing would so utterly destroy our happiness and security at home and our dignity and influence abroad as the separation of the citi-
 
 ant groups along racial or religious lines. l affirmed my personal belief In the great guarantees of religious freedom and religious toleration which have made this country what 1t is, and I assert 1t to be the sol- emn duty of every believer in Amer lcan institutions to oppose any chal- lenge, organized or unorganized, of this ascred doctrine, under whatever name or in whatever character it might appear.
 Meant It Plainly.
 Tt was my purpose to state these truths in language plain enough to leave no room for doubt or misun. derstanding of my personal views, and in terms sufficiently broad to in- clude any and all forms of bigotry prejudice and intolerance. On that declaration I stand. If any organiza- ton. no matter what 1t chooses to be called, whether ku klux klan or by any other name, raises the stand- ard of racial and religious prejudice or attempts to make racial origins or beliefs the test of fitness for public office, 1t does violence to the spirit of American institutions and must be condemned by all those who believe as I do in American ideals can ideals.
 T repeat that these matters must 1ot be permitted to divert the atten- ion of the public from the vital uues- ions now before them. I venture, therefore, to express the hope that he nominee of the republican party will see fit by some explicit decIara- lon to join in entirely removing this opic from the field of political de- ,ate.
 Prepared Address.
 MT. Davis prepared address follow ng the above statement was:
 This is my second appearance at Sea Girt. You will not be surprised I find my memory turning at this ime to the circumstances of my 'arlier visit. It happened on a hot July day, 12 years ago. I was ono f party of 200 or more who ramped in the dust from the station o the governors house at Sea Girr. t our head marched that grand old Roman. Champ Clark, then the peaker of the house of representa- ives, Among the party l recall erseyman who was then my col eague in congress and who was soon 0 take a seat in the senate--the owed and loyable Billy Hughes. We rere calling on a governor of New ersey who had just received the emocratic nomination for the presi- ency. Most of that company, in- luding myself, had never made his ersonal acquaintance. It was our er- and to assure him of our hearty sup ort and to place ourselves at lhis srvice. The impression of the day -ere summed up for me by one Of " colleagues as we tramped hack , the waiting train. Said he, When nat man comes to Washington thers -ilI be leader in the White House. T recall how quickly this leader hip asserted itself when Washington