Evening star., 1927-04-18

90 public questioning as to how he car
give undivided allegiance to hi
country when his church restricts th'
freedom of his choice; and the candi
date has nswered--answered no
OBVIOUSLY and with indirection, bu
straightforwardly, brayely, with th'
clear ring Of candor.
| Helped by Chaplain.
| Gov. Smith had help in preparation
I of his reply He called upon Rev
| Francis P. Duffy, chaplain during the
| World War of the 165th New YORK
4 Regiment, to aid him in the theologlcal
kdiscussion. The governor quotes from
kmany authorities of the Catholc
EChurch, some Of them dead, among
Mhem Cardinal Newman, Dr. Johh =
Bryan, professor OF moral theolosS az
khe Catholic University of America
Eardinal Gibbons, Archbishop downing
Ind Archbishop Ireland.
I AT the outset of his answer TO MT.
uarshall. Gov. Smith said, referring 10
he question whether American
atholics may be loyal to this country
nd it's Constitution:
"I am grateful to you Tor deIlnlhs
. is issue i'm the open and for your
= t1r-tnous expression of the satisfac-
ii n it will bring to my fellow citizens
f. me to give "a disclaimer Oh the
&c tvictions thus imputed.
Without mental reservation L can
: nm do make that disclaimer
ov. Smith insisted he would be a
no, American and a poor Catholic
ALL B If he injected religious discussion
int la political campaign.
- therefore," he continued, Il ask
Won Ito accept this answer from me
NOT as a candidate for public. office,
hut Is an American citizen honored
with high elective office answering a
chall mge to his patriotism ana ms III
teIlec idal integrity.
Never Felt Conflict.
The governor called attention to
%be ia It that he himself is a layman.
He ca led upon his own personal eX-
perien,e in drawing his general con-
clusion and relied upon the advice
and sta dement's of churchmen to meet
the tecl nicaI questions propounded by
AIR. MarshalI. Gov. Smith insisted
that ne Ter in his experience had he
known ebnfiict between his official du-
ties and his religious belief. He in
sisted hel had received only co-opera-
= fion and encouragement in the 'fun
and comllete discharge Of my duty TO
the State(' from the many church
men who1 are his friends he sald
that no ntan, churchman or layman,
had ever attempted, directly or indi-
1,ectly. to exert church influence on
his administration of any office or had
asked him to show special favor to
Catholics CT to exercise discrimina-
fion against non-Catholics.
In his reply. Gov. Smith pointed
out that theIman closest TO him in the
State government, George Graves,
assistant to the governor, is Protes-
liant and thirty-second degree Mason.
Replying TO a question by Mr.. Mar
ahall as to whether Catholic author1-
ties uphold "dogmatic intolerance,
Gov. Smith says that Mr.. Marshall has
quoted only part of their statements.
The governor quoted from the Catholic
Encyclopedia to show that "dogmatic
intolerance does not mean intolerance
of persons Of other faith.
Denies Any Conflict.
The governor maintained, and
duoted Cardinal Newman to that
effect, that papal encyclieals, on
Mhich Mr.. Marshall based part of his
argument, are mot articles of faith. .
Gov. Smith denied the possibility of
a. conflict between the jurisdiction OF
the church and the state, and quoted
from various Catholic prelates TO
show that in any such conflict the
ALdLIUllCt 1thS A1AC A1ASSNcAANs
resolve it by the dictates of his
conscience and not by appeal to any
Catholic tribunal.
Gov. Smith cited the increase in
Appropriations for public schools from
80, 100000 to $S2,000,000 under his
administration.
One of the points made in the Mar
shall letter had reference to the an
bulrnent of the marriage of the Duke
- former wife
by the Roman Catholic Church. Gov.
Smith replied that the decree merely
defined the status of the parties within
4he church and was not intended to
have any effect under civil law.
Mr.. Marshall asked the governor in
effect what would be his attitude If the
Catholic Church, while he was Presl-
dent. should urge intervention by this
country in Mexico because Of the
treatment of Catholics by the Mexican
government.
Answers Mexican Question.
To this Gov. Smith replied:
''I believe in peace on earth, good
will to men, and that no country has
a right to interfere in the internal
affairs Of any other country. l recog-
nize the right Of no church TO ask
armed Intervention by this country in
Inc dHdlfS OIL dIiOlliSA AiG1NlS AOA NAAS
defense Of the rights of the church.
But I do recognize the propriety of
quick action to'request the good offices
of this country to help the oppressed
of any land"
Democratic members of Congress
now in Washington scanned the Smith
letter today and some of them We're
willing to comment on 1t. Senator
Walsh of Montana in telegram to
Gov. Smith congratulated him on his
answer to the Marshall letter. His
telegram said
CONGRATULATIONS on your letter in
. answer TO Marshall. 1t is perfect and
complete You have rendered no less
a. service TO the Nation than to oul
co-religionists.
Senator Walsh is a Catholic.
Another Democratic Senator, Bay
ard of Delaware, said of the Smith
letter:
Gov. Smith in a fearless, manly
and American manner, meets anc
completely demolishes every attempt
that Marshall made in his letter II
misrepresent, misunderstand anC
civilly or politically handicap Smith
Senator Heflin's comment on Gov
Smiths statement was as follows;
THE New York Governors state
ment is evasive and unconvincing. /
is in some of the essential question
raised by Mr.. Marshall in direct con
tradiction to the teachings of many o
the Popes and priests of the Roman
Catholic Church. 1t was intended, o
course, to make a favorable impression
for Gov. Smith on non.Catholic Amer
lean citizens.
AVOIDS DISCUSSION