The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-27
Smith Is the Man

Alfred E. Smith is the His nomination for
President by the Democratic convention seems assured
This will be victory of sense and fair
play over prejudice and hysteria. The Democratic
party will the stigma that it deprecated the
sacred principle of religious tolerance upon which
Thomas Jefferson based the constitution Of the
United States.
Smiths exceptional ability and personal honesty
attested by ALL Only two charges have been made
against him, charges that until have barred him
from his rightful leadership of the party.
He is accused of being Catholic and wet He
proudly replies in the affirmative.
In nominating this the Democrats will be
choosing consciously and deliberately Catholic and
wet and who will permit no shame, no slurs
on his church or his convictions.
Why viii this party, which is perhaps predomi-
nantly dryProtestant, choose such leader? Because
he is a great American and great Democrat
Because as great American, he understands and
practices his religion as that which divide
his allegiance to his country, but which does
strengthen his conservation to civil duty. Here is
his creed:
II recognize no power in the institutions of my
church to interfere with the operations of the Con-
stuton of the United States or the enforcement OF
the law of the land. believe in absolute freedom OF
conscience for all and in equality Of all churches,
all sects and all beliefs before the law as matter
of right and not as a matter Of favor-and believe
in the common brotherhood Of man under the COM
mon fatherhood Of God"
No plank nor counsel of political expediency make
him equivocate in word or purpose. On the very
eve Of this convention he proved that. Other wet
candidates were pussyfooting. His enemies boosted
that frank wet statement by Smith would prevent
his nomination as it did four years ago. He was
asked if he had changed his views tavoring modi-
dcation Of the prohibition provisions
He replied: 1T have not"
In that three-word declaration of independence
he rejected nomination or election to the presidency
except on terms of his known principles and record
It is that record of public service which makes
him today more powerful than his party enemies.
Born of poor American parents, newsboy,
laborer, twelve years an assemblyman Of New York
State one year delegate to the constitutional con-
venton, one year sheriff, one year president OF the
board Of aldermen and four times Governor.
Always he has run far ahead Of his ticket in the
one year Of his defeat of the Harding landslide polling
for Governor more than million more State votes
than the Democratic presidential candidate
Why this confidence of the people?
because he has been frank man, honest as
an ofical constructive and brilliant as legislator
and executive He is a liberal His basic interest is
a human rights and welfare He is protector OF the
Satherless, an advocate of the equality OF women
champion Of economic justice for farmers and organ
lied labor a defender of public resources against
predatory wealth. guardian of the Bill OF Rights OF
the Constitution.
This newspaper has expressed repeatedly its be-
def that all things considered, Hoover by training
and experience in national and international affairs
is better fitted for the presidency than Smith.
But we are not partisan in our support. We are
Tor Hoover rather than against Smith.
"a Therefore, we bespeak for the Democrats united
md clean party honest platforms fair campaign
vorthy Of Alfred z. Smith