New Britain herald., 1926-12-01
SMITHS RELIGION AND PRESIDENCY

AND PRESIDENCY
 Much is said but little printed regarding the fundamental reason why Governor Smith of New York is regarded as at a disadvantage in obtaining the Democratic nomiha- ticp for president.
 The prejudice against him is not because he is "wet"-that fact would enable him to carry certain important states and would not pre- vent the south from remaining true to the ticket.
 The prejudice lies almost wholly because he is a Catholic.
 The Constitution and the Declara- tion of Independence were predicat- ed upon a broad spirit of tolerance. Yet in this goth century there is an undercurrent maxim widely held throughout the land that, re- gardless of their merits neither a Catholic nor Jew can be nomi- mated or elected President of the United States.
 It is not a Ku Klux Kan emo- ton. It existed long before the Klan was reborn several years ago. Men and women who would indignantly deny they had anything in common with the Kan nevertheless believe in the axiom that never must there be any but Protestant Christian in the White House.
 It is regrettable indeed that such a bigoted emotion should find cur rency, one so contrary to the toler- ant spirit of American institutions. : There is nobody willing to claim that a presidents religion can have the slightest effect upon congress sional action; that it could change the meaning and intent of the Con stitution; that it could turn this country from it's destiny as toler- ant and liberty-loving nation. But a sort of unwritten law has gained currency in the minds of millions of citizens, and we face the astonish- ing fact that a great party is ham strung by not being able to nominate its strongest candidate.
 The time is approaching when a decision will have to be made-one whether the Democratic party is willing to nominate Smith, risk breaking up the solid south, and yet enjoy a. fair chance of winning the election; or whether the party is to dodge the issue and thus comprom- ising itself, go down to certain defeat
 If the Democratic party doesn't solve it's problem in 1928 1t will l have to face it again in 1882.
 If Smith is nominated there is a chance that bigotry will defeat him, | If this is country where religion l determines a mans fitness for the presidency it would be worth while l. to learn this definitely.
 If the nomination of Smith will 1. break up the solid south. let it . break up. The solid south, pitted !. against the solid north, can elect no ! president.
 If the break up of the solid south l. means the end of the Democratic 1 party as a national contender, the . difference between that result and the present status quo will be slight,
 The Democratic party has a duty ! to perform and should not shrink. !. That duty is 10 show the country that it has not departed from the . letter and spirit of the American Constitution: that il still recognizes . the promise that all native Amcrl- . cans are equal before the law. with , out regard for the accident of re- ligion; that it is better to face a problem unflinchingly and thus take . an important step forward in seiu- |. ing it than to let whispering nam- . paigns dominate it's Wayeriug in 
 Smith stands in higher national regard than any Democrat since ! Grover Cleveland He is entitled to . his chance for the presidency by 1. dint of his record. his integrity, his . honesty and his efficiency,
 A man of his sterling attributes . deserves more than the religious petifogging of which no one need be . proud.
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