The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-05-07
Smith or Appomattox?


Gov. al Smith of New York has carried the
Democratic primaries in California against
Senator Reed Of Missouri and Senator Walsh
of Montana. Mr.. Walsh was entered by Mr..
McAdoo to stop Smith. Both are Catholics.
Walsh is dry. Smith is wet. Returns at this
writing indicate that not only Smith but Reed,
also wet, beat McAdoo's dry candidate
1t had been expected that Smith would be
leading the field of Democratic candidates
when the convention opened, but that even with
this advantage might make only good miss at
the nomination. From day to day as primaries
are held and delegates elected this feeling that
the New Yorker will have fine run and get
nowhere is giving way to the opinion that the
Democrats have their candidate and their issue.
For one thing their politicians believe that
they have not ghost of a show in the election
without Smith, and that the rejection of the
strongest candidate by the convention either
on the score Of religion or of opposition to pro-
hibition might break the party. Of greater
consequence is the belief of the party leaders
that they might win national election with a
wet although he must encounter some religious
opposition.
When man opposed to Volsteadism car,
carry the party not only in California and other
states but even in Iowa, as Smith did, it is q
sign of Impotence with government under pro-
hibition. Iowa is in the heart of region sup
posed to be so dry that it was not an issue of
party differences. In Ohio Democrats say that
Smith can have the state delegation after the
first ballot.
These are pertinent indications. They reveal
a revolt against bigotry and intolerance which
spreads as the zealots grow more desperate in
their efforts to intimidate authority, control
political action, and suppress Individuals The
success Of Smith is sign of this. 1t would not
have been possible four years ago, but now it
| is apparent that even the south is wavering.
There the political control would dearly love
to back a candidate who had chance to win
and is kept in hand only by the influence of
religious organizations to which tolerance in
| faith and lberality in government are next to
impossible of acceptance.
! The southern politicians even now may be
asking the preachers if they want to take the
party to Appomattox again. The predecessor
of the Democratic party, the Republican Demo-
crat of the old Jeffersonians, walked the Fed
eralists out of office and itself into power by
acts. and the administration of them
Abuses Of authority and punishment Of men
for political opinion ruined party which had
been invaluable to the republic in its formative
days.
It is significant that with the rumblings OF
protest arising the league Of intolerance il
pressing for further advantage in legislation
and repression, seeking heavier punishments
as provided in the Jones-Stalker bill which has
been given preferred status in the senate
That is typical of government by bigotry. II
is it's instinct and habit to increase it's repres.
sions as its power is threatened. 1t attempts
more coercion as its excuses are attacked. Az
the spirit of the people rises bigotry goes to
NEW extremes.
! Smith seems to be leading another revolt in
the desert