Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-08-26
DAWES KHAN SPEECH
POLITICAL DYNAN| TE
IN MAINE CAMP |CN

AUGUSTA, Me, Aug. 23.-(By the
Associated Press.)-C h a rles G.
Dawes, Republican candidate for
vice president, opened his speaking
campaign today in Augusta with a
declaration of opposition to the ku
Klux Khan and a, denunciation Of at
tempts by labor leaders to influence
patriotic, lawabidinS union men
into a political combination with So
cialists."
Mr.. Dawes had announced he
would "shoot straight from the shout
der, politicians or no politicians,
and the audience was gathered at
Republican state rally at Island
Park, near here, prepared for some
hot shots. 1t was taken aback some
what, however, when the vice presi-
Dental nominee mentioned the name
Of the Ku KluX Khan in his first
sentence, discussed that question at
some length, and then turned his
fire on politicians cringing before
the whip of few bluffing labor
leaders,"
Appeals to racial, religious or
class prejudice by minority organiza-
tons are opposed to the welfare of
all peaceful and civilized communi-
ties" he shouted with waving arms,
after telling of the rise of the Khan
in Oklahoma and Williamson coun-
ty, III. our constitution stands for
religious tolerance" he continued.
''To inject religious and racial is
sues into politics is contrary to the
welfare of all the people and to the
letter and. spirit of the constitution
OF the United States"
The audience stood astonished for
a moment, for Maine is counted by
khan leaders as one of the states
where the organization is the strong
est; then there was scattering APP
plause, but many of those present
merely looked at one another, plain
ly wondering as to the effect Of the
statement just made on next months
barometric state election. There was
somewhat general applause, though,
when Mr.. Dawes concluded the khan
portion of his address by saying:
81 have told you why I am op-
posed to the khan. Take what [ say
into your hearts and consciences
and think it over calmly. However
it may be with the mind, there IS
Discusses Labor Unions
With the khan discussion ended,
Mr.. Dawes launched into the address
he had prepared before leaving EV-
anston for Maine, and the applause
became more general, but there
were numerous looks of astonish-
ment as he entered upon his discus
sion on trade unionism.
h0 hn1anfifc Of
estly administered are recognized
not only by me, but good citizens
generally, whether in or out of trade
unionism," he asserted. cit has ele-
waited, protected and dignified labor,
and in so doing it has been an ele-
ment in the progress of our nation"
The text of General Dawes address
in so far as it deals with the khan
is as follows:
81 first desire to speak, as Mr..
Davis did yesterday, relative to the
Ku Klux Khan. I agree with him
that it has no proper part in this
or any other campaign. But wheth.
err proper or not, unfortunately IN
this campaign a mobilization of rad
icaIism under La Toilette, the larg-
est section Of which. the socialists,
IIV TIE feI las, IS dlJdCA1uS the COil-
stitution of the Unit3d States. can
not agree, therefore, with his infer
ence that its discussion divefts at
tention from those issues the people
must settle in November by their
! votes, 1t only emphasizes the great
| est issue.
"The question Of Mr. Pattangall,
which appear in the press this morn
irg are the familiar trick questions
OF the ordinary politicians. They
are not the cause Of the statement
[ am about to make.
LET me say at once that I rec
ognize that the Ku F<luX Khan in
many localities and among many
people represents only an instructive
cropping for leadership, moving in the
| interest Of law enforcement, which