The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1928-07-01
STANDS ON UTTERANCES
Smith Has Not Changed Attitude
On Modification and States
Rights, He Says

to the Convention when the delegates were
assembling when he declared that he stood
by the declaration he made in 1924 rela-
tive to Prohibition in which he advocated
states rights. permitting each state to de-
eide for itself what constitutes intcxicat-
ing liquor OF course such procedure
could not possibly be brought to pass with
out the repeal of the Eighteenth Amend
ment unless it were done by fragrant multi
fication of that Amendment.
He again made it plain in his message
wired to the Convention thanking the del
egateS for his nomination and assuring
them that the Prohibition plank is accept
able to him.
The following is the full text of Cover
nor Smiths much discussed telegram to
the convention
II received your message on behalf of
the convention with a deep sense of re-
sponsibility and fervent prayer for the
guidance of Divine Providence. accept
the call OF my party to lead it in the ma
tional campaign. l can think of no
greater privilege in this WORLD than to
serve our country. Ny gratitude to the
convention for its expression of confidence
in me I cannot adequately express in this
telegram. will have TO make it manifest
single-handed devotion to the United
States and her people i'll every section.
BACKS PLATFORM
1.-THE happiness and welfare # millions
of men, women and children who consti-
tute the nation was the great driving force
behind the doctrine enuncicted by the i'm
mortal jefferson, given life by him and
carried through by Cleveland and Wilson.
I am convinced that our platform voices
that doctrine I stand committed to the
platform and will welcome an opportunity
to reorganize and make more efficient the
agencies Of government to the end that
the burden of taxation may be lightened
"Our platform lays at rest the absurd
claim insidiously put out by Republican
propaganda that the Republican party has
a monopoly upon the mechanics of pros
perity. Our platform in its tariff and
financial policy gives assurance to every
legitimate business man, wage Garner,
farmer and taxpayer, that prosperity will
not be conserved but fairly distributed
among all.
GIVES o. K. TO PLANK
1.-THE definite declaration of the conven-
ton to aid agriculture and the planks
dealing with labor problems are sound,
progressive and sincere, as is also the
party commitment to the development Of
our water power without alternating our
God given resources. Our plank on for
eign policy states the simple truth that
the ulVlIe command To love JIly 0elgnDOf
as thySelf' contains no limitation and was
intended to apply as between nations.
THE equal and even enforcement of
laws is the cornerstone upon which rests
the whole structure of democratic govern
ment. If it is the will of the people of
this nation that I am to take an oath as
President of the United States to protect
and defend our constitution and laws, I
will execute that oath to the limit of my
ability without reservation or evasion.
1T is we'll known that I believe there
should be fundamental changes in the
present provisions for national Prohibition
based as l stated in my Jackson day let
ter, on the fearless application to the
problem of the principles of JefTersonian
democracy. While I fully appreciate that
these changes can only be made by the
people themselves through their elected
legislative representatives. 1 feel it to be the
duty of the chosen leader of the people to
point the way which in his opinion leads
to sane. sensible solution of a condition
which I am convinced is entirely unsatis-
factory to the great mass of our people.
HITS CORRUPTION
Common honesty compels us to admit
that corruption of law enforcement Of
fcials bootlegging and lawlessness are
now prevalent throughout this country
am satisfied that without returning to the
old evils that grew from the saloon, which
years ago held, and still hold, was and