The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-21
Smith and Intolerance!

Governor Smith last night in Oklahoma City made
dis long anticipated speech religious intolerance
He indicated it would be his last word this subject
in this campaign It is to be hoped that he adheres
to this decision For regreuy it must be sad there
is reason to fear that his approach to the question last
night was one likely If carried much farther, to make
the religious issue a greater rather than q smaller
factor in the campaign than it already is
Every true American resents the manifestations OF
religious bgotry that thus far have appeared BigoEy
and persecution are despicabe at any time. They
most despicabe when they foul the religion they pro
TESS to serve.
Intolerance has constituted constant threat to
American democracy It can not be stamped out by
force It can not be eradicated by law 1t not be
ended by appeals to decency and fair play It dies
only with the birth of national education and en-
lghtenment This is our American task.
Smith, without question: has suffered from per-
secution of the bgots not to be expected that
he would suffer in silence.
Smith said those who raise the Tammany charge
against him are only drawing herring across the
trail to disguise their religious prejudces That not
true In addition to the bigots, who are in minority
are those sincerely opposing him on account of Tam
many.
We do not believe Smith could have made such
sweeping charge unless he himself had become en-
FILTERED and ntolerant for the moment. Such into-
erance on his part is understandable But that does
not justify it.
Smith scores on one point He properly blames the
Republican leaders not repudiating the action of
Assistant Attorney General Mabel Walker Willebrandt
in appealing to Methodist conference of ministers
in Ohio to swing their co-religonists to Hoover She
IxuifI firth
His attempted Indictment of the national mana
gers of Hooyer's campaign, smackng itself of into-
erance will not be taken seriously
AS for Smith his success in his State has been
DUE in part at least the fact that he has there
fought intolerance with tolerance He will find that
his best weapon in the national field as we'll
But the speech of Smith may well serve in Indiana
to call attention to forces and influences which are
attempting to ride into power under the Hoover con-
fdence and issues and which very openly at
tempting to use this religious bgotry to accomplish
their aims.
The Office from which the campaign of Leslie is
being managed is the haven for the old lieuten-
ants of Stephenson and the satellites OF Bossert and
Evans. Grand dragons and COLLINS and the former
organizers for the Old Man are given jobs and pay
the peoples taxes to further the interests OF
Leslie.
of admission comes from the political managers OF
the Leslie and Robinson campaign. In this county
Boss Coffin again forms his organization around the
legions of prejudice and religious hatred which gave
him power
The people of this State know well the cost Of
religious bigotry ard hatreds. They can trace the
shame of Indiana to this appeal They remember that
the greatest political organization" admitted,
through its woman leader that it lived and thrived
through poison squads of whispering women
There is every evidence that the poison squads
are working again and are working, not for the pur
pose of defeating Smith, but in the hope that fear OF
him and his religion may make decent Republicans
hesitate to scratch a ticket.
The campaign of hate in this State is well under
stood 1t is not intended to help Hoover, who needs
no help.
1t is intended to capture State offices.