New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-04-18
GOVERNOR SMITHS
PRESIDENTIAL CREED

PRESIDENTIAL CREED
Protestants now know that the
Catholicism OF Governor Smith OF
New York is an American, constitu-
tional brand; they now know he has
never taken orders from the Nati-
can, that none were ever given; that
he would not take orders in govern
ment II elected President, that none
would be given. The New York
governor, in phrases that ring with
sincerity, in words that burn with
the integrity OF honor. has COM
pletely answered the religious
questions propounded by MIR. Mar
shall in the Atlantic Monthly.
Some time ago we were at pains
% point out that to become Presi-
dent of the United States required
the taking OF solemn oath which
is formally exacted by the chief
Justice OF the Supreme Court; in the
case OF President Coolidge's first
term it was given by the venerable
father OF the President by the light
Of an oil lamp, 1t being an emer-
sency following the death OF Hard
ing. We emphasized with all the
vigor at our disposal that no Presi-
dent could take such an oath with
out conscientiously seeking to full
fill 1t; and that no church would ex-
pect one OF its communicates when
elected to this high Office to break
an oath. This view of a Catholic In
the presidency happily has not been
changed following the declaration Of
Governor Smith. which Is to appear
in the Atlantic Monthly. and which
is printed in The Herald today.
1t was some time ago that the
Methodist board OF temperance and
public morals favorably weighed the
presidential caliber OF Senator
Walsh OF Montana, significant
thing considering that Senator
Walsh is a Catholic and Democrat.
The Methodist board found no fault
with Senator, Walsh on account Of
his religion. Here is what the
Methodist board said OF Senator
Walsh:
"Protestants know that the
Catholicism of Senator Walsh
is simply the Christianity which
all Professionals and Catholics
alike respect. No one thinks for
moment that any church
authority here or abroad could
give him orders in regard TO
public matters. II he were
elected President he would be
his own man and his country's
man and the President OF the
entire nation"
The Methodist board can now
testify in similar strain regarding
Governor Smith. Hedging and
straddling on nothing. the New
York governor has given a clear
exposition of what sort OF a presi-
dent he would be II elected-an
America First president, an up
holder OF American rights. Amer
lean views, the complete separation
Of church and state Note what he
says:
II recognize no power in the
institution of my church to in
terfere with the operations Of
the Constitution of the United
States or the enforcement OF
the law OF the land "''' l be-
lieve in absolute freedom OF
conscience for all Iaen and In
equality o. all churches, all
sects, and ell beliefs before the
law as a matter OF right and
not as a matter OF favor ''''
I believe in the absolute separa-
ton OF church and state and in
the strict enforcement OF the
provisions OF the Constitution
.1y "a
law respecting an establishment
of religion or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof. $50 | be-
lieve that no tribunal Of any
church has any power to make
Any decree OF any force in the
law Of the land, other than to
establish the status OF its own
communicates within its own
church. '.'' I believe in the
support Of the public schools as
one OF the corner stones OF
American liberty | believe in
the right OF every parent to
choose whether his child shall
be educated In the public
schools or in religious school
supported by those OF his own
faith. f+'s ] believe - in non
Interference $3.50 and that we
should stand steadfastly against
any such Interference by whom
socver IT may be urged. r's'
Aud I believe in the common
brotherhood Of man under the
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