Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-05
Article About Smith
Called Unfortunate
To the Editor of The Star:


A few days ago Mr.. Gould Lincoln.
in an article in The Star. enumerated
the views OF various groups among the
Democrats on Gov. Smiths candidacy
for President. One group is defined as
making wide distinction between the
eligibility of Gov Smith and his avail
ability. and that solely on the ground
OF his religion.
Making a distinction between eGgibil-
ity and availability S nere clubbing
with words II man is not available
because Of lack of executive ability or
craftsmanship. Of personal character.
morals or views of life (which include
his religion. then he Is not eligible on
the same grounds. While the Consu-
tuition does not place any barrier N
the shape OF a religion, test, 1t tacitiy
presuines he will be man OF Integrity.
of sane views and personal worth. and
that he viii obey the laws and conform
10 the Constitution of the United
States. The spirit Of the Constitution
makes eligibility and availability one
and the same thing. Distinction rs to
availability can be made only on polit-
ical grounds since his election is by
methods of party choice and maneuvcr-
ing AS 10 this the Constitution has
nothing To say.
In this empty distinction the group
which Mr. Lincoln speaks Of draws
parallel with the availability of a men,
Der Of the Mormon Church. The only
ground on which his availability could
be questioned. apart from ordinary
political reasons and his general char
acter. would be on the known attitude
Of the Mormon Church toward the laws
and Constitution of the United States.
While no one can point the finger Of
reproach at the Catholic Church which
has consistently proclaimed her adhe.-
ence TO the principles of American Gov
eminent and at no time has refused 10
uphold the relations between church
and state as understood in this com
try. the same cannot be- said Of the
Mormon Church. which for many years
defied the Federal laws, in violation Of
the Constitution,
This was Christian country, Chris
tian principles. including that of
mouogamy. were embodied in its law
For long period MormonlSm refused
10 conform TO Christian marriage, Con-
gress passed the Morrill,. Poland and
Edwards acts. forhidding polykau}y
Oaly in 1890. - years after tn.
Morrill, act. came the Woodruff mart-
!esto. advising Mormons ~ conform
10 tne law. The law was uptielO
by the United States Supreme Court.
Up TO the acceptance Of Utah as a
State in 1895 the leaders broke the law
and practiced polygamy. So serious
became the resistance Of the Mormon
Church 90 the Constitution and LAWS
VI the country that III 1887 The church
was dSneorporated and the most VI
Its property conilseatcd by the Federal
Government No such charge cam he
brought against the Catholic Church Ill
the United states. 1t has consistently
upheld the laws II has always held
the principles VI Government laid down
In the Declaration of Independence to
be In conformity with Catholic teach
ing Never at any time has II set II
self up as religion over and above the
law, and never has II sought any par
tic,tlar treatment
The parallel. therefore. between the
eligibility and availability ot Catholic
and Mormon for the presidency. T.
slngulary unfortunate The aVa,lah,lt
lty OF a Catholic for that high office
rests ON the same ground rs that az
the member ut any other church
namely. his executive competence, his
high character AND his binding HIM
self by oath tand IT, n Catholic an oath
Is u sacred thlngl ~ uphold the laws
aud Constitution ot the United States
PATRICK i WARD