Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-28
Tolerance.

AQANldnIN'
Senator Robinson of Arkansas, chair
man of the Democratic national con-
vention at Houston. called the turn
on one Of the real issues which may
be involved in the coming political
campaign if Al Smith be the Demo-
cratic nominee for President. Address
Ing the convention. he alluded TO
Thomas JefIerson's passionate adher-
ence to religious freedom and the con-
stitutional provision that no religious
test should be a qualification for hold
ing public office in the United States.
Chairman Robinson's plea was FOR
tolerance. It struck responsive CHORD
in the hearts of the great throng OF
delegates who are supporting Gov
Smith of New York for the presidency
and a demonstration followed in which
practically all of the State delegations
Joined. Many of them did so gladly
because they believe in Al Smith ana
feel that his membership in the Cath
olic Church should be no bar to his
holding the highest governmental once
in the land.
But there were delegates in the con-
vention who bitterly resented the IN
iectson of the religious issue. They
disIiked being compelled to join In
demonstration interpreted as an Al
Smith demonstration, or be placed IN
the position of being intolerant 1t
gave some of them an opportunity to
say that the Smith followers are using
the religious issue for the benefit OF
their candidate for the presidential
nomination; that the issue is being
raised not by the opponents of the
governor. but by his supporters.
Furthermore. the demonstration which
followed the Robinson plea for religious
tolerance was the signal for at least
one hand-to-hand fight on the con-
vention floor, which does not make for
harmony In the Democratic gathering.
Feeling has run high in North Caro-
Ina between the Smith and anti-Smith
factions, and when one Of the Smith
adherents undertook TO carry the
States standard in the procession OF
states he was bitterly resisted. The
Alabama delegation. determined in its
opposition to Smith. refused to join In
the parade, regarded as the first Smith
demonstration Of the convention.
The religious issue is one which may
rise TO plague the country vigorously In
the coming campaign. 1t Is an issue
which Americans generally win deplore.
especially If 1t becomes paramount.
Senator Robinson said. citing the Con-
stitaltion: ct is an issue frowned upon
by the fundamental law of the land.
no man, according to the American
Constitution, should be debarred from
public Office because Of his religious be-
lief. But there is no good reason why
any man should be placed in office be-
cause ne happens to give adherence to
any church or creed"
That. too, must be borne in mind.
If millions of citizens should undertake
to vote for a presidential candidate
mersly because Of his faith. it would be
as reprehensibie, under the Constitu-
ton. as It would be for millions of citi-
gems to oppose him because Of his
church afhliation. President Of the
United States should be chosen because
OF his qualifications for Office, his hon.
esty and ability to guide the Nation.
To mix church and state is contrary
TO al American ideals It is an end
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