Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
SMITHS ELECTION
SEENBY COSTELLO
q. c. Committeeman Makes
Public Letter to National
Chairman.

Democratic national committeeman for
the District of Columbia, has made
public a letter to John j. Raskob. the
new chairman of the national commit
tee. in reply to Raskob's now famous
modification" letter to all members of
the national committee.
MIR. Costello says that to be told by
bigots that such honest opinion is in
itself a lack of respect for the law is
ridiculous. He points to MFR. Hoover S
characterization Of the prohibition law
as "a great and noble social expert
ment," and says it was an experiment,
but has now shown itself failure. He
commcnds Gov Smith and his cam
paign manager. Mr.. Raskob. for having
been so "refreshingly honest and
astoundingly outspoken on supposed
tabooed subject"
Text of Letter.
His letter is as follows:
II have given the subject of prohibi-
ton great deal Of independent
thought, as every other well wisher for
our country has done. Naturally, my
thoughts have been on two phases Of
the problem-first, prohibition as 1t af-
fects the Nation; and, second, prohibit
ton as it affects politics.
LII view ia tllC odbcBOhCAi dklQ ACdA
less stand of Gov. Smith on this SUBJ
ject, 1t logically behooves us to consider
its effects on his candidacy,
Your answer TO Mr.. Callahan is a
most able presentation of your views.
One thought that you express seems to
me to be the keynote of the whole
question. You state that you thor
oughly resent the charge by overZealous
prohibitionists that those of us engaged
In trying to bring about the repeal or
amendment of the eighteenth amend
ment and the Volstead law are In any
way lawbreakers or show any lack of
respect for our great Constitution.
Both you. In your far-reaching bust
ness activities, and We. who have made
national politics our life's work. have
had to keep our eye on the true under
currents of public opinion. We are
trained observers. especially on subjects
affecting the peace. comfort. prosperity
and contentment of the whole citizenry
We know from our personal observation
and ability to weigh the real truth OF
conditions that there is an almost
unanimous lack of respect for the pro-
hibition law as 1t now exists and a
growing lack of respect for the many
other blue and sumptuary laws foisted
on us by a comparatively few militant
reformers and fanatics. Furthermore
we are able to discount the chicanery OF
the ardent political wet-drinking, dry
voting politicians.
ITO be criticized by these bigots for
expressing views is disagreeable. but to
be told by them that our honest opinion
is In itself lack OF respect for the law
is ridiculous.
THE hearty reaction to your selection
as chairman, as reflected in the press
regardless OF section or politics. fol-
lowed by evident approval of your
frankness on the prohibition question,
further justifies the Democratic party in
its Judgment in naming your great
friend, Gov. Smith, as It's standard
bearer. 1t further demonstrates that
the election is going to be won on one
simple issue-sanity In legislation. The
tariff cannot be called an issue any
longer.
"A great mass of voters will be drawn
from the incaIculable number of dis
contented citizens who are disguised
with and fearful of the legislative result
of the orgy of wholesale bigotry and
fanaticism so rampant in some highly
organized, but limited, groups.
Quotes Jackson.
Human nature in the mass is the
same as human nature in the individ-
ual, but little slower In its reactions.
The history of our country has sufficient
In its pages to cause us a deal of COM
fort. Much has been said about Andrew
Jackson and his 1928 campaign and
election. ! have not yet seen any one
draw the parallel far enough. they
should 60 back to 1924 and quote the
answer Jackson gave friend when he
was asked his views concerning the
forthcoming election In the House OF
Representatives to choose either Adams
Jackson or Crawford. He said:
Sir. no people ever lost their liber-
ties unless they themselves first became
corrupt. Our people are not yet cor
rupt. If they ever will be corrupt; and
the Congress dares not decide this cleo
ton by the intrigues OF corruption, for
fear Of their sovereigns. the people. The
people are the safeguards of their own
liberties and rely wholly upon them to
guard themselves They will correct any
outrage upon political purity by Con-
gress; and II they do not now and ever
then they will be the slaves Of Congress
and It's political corruption.
Jackson lost the contest TO Adams IN
1924. but we all know how we'll he was
indicated by the people In 1928. He
reformed his methods and statements
after 1924 and laid stress upon the
above thought until his next opportu.
nifty. Jackson drew his aeumen and
vision from a wholesome and rugged
mental honesty. The people recognize in
him man 10 whom the pussyfootci
and cajoler were abhorrent He spoke
his mind and, coupled with an almost
uncanny prescience, he usually got wha'
he went after: he always went BY
straight and direct routes: he did not
relish temporizings and expediencies.
I'VE now have Mr. Hoover stating
that the prohibition law is "a great aflc
noble social experiment" but he was not
candid enough to say that 1t was ar
experiment and has now shown itsell
to be failure His attitude and words
are indicative Of desire TO cater to
the very elements In the country that
have done so much to cause the existing
widespread and dangerous disrespect
for constituted authority.
See Conspiracy.
There seems 10 have been a con-
spiracy OF circumstances to pave the
way for this campaign, The Ku KluS
Khan, the Anti-Saloon League, the
many so-calied uplift and welfare
boards and societies the hordes of paid
superintendents, the blue laws and the
narrow religious outlook on the part ol
the legislating fundamentalists have all
made the average man on the street
well and thoroughly disgusted The
great Republican majorities in 1920 arlc
1924 point 10 the existence of severa
millions of voters who swear allegiance
TO no party but vote according to theii
beliefs, but at the same time who are
evidently too independent to be at,
filiated with any Of the narrow ano
biGoted reforming" groups We car
safely assume that these people will
throw their votes TO Our candidate
knowing that he represents a straight
forward sensibleness and sanity that
! will lead us out OF the moraSs of n.y.
pocrisy and intolerance.
Il confidently count on the votes o.
the masses, as well az Of business, Il
elect Gov. Smith. The vote Of ths
masses will go TO the most mentally
| honest candidate