Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1929-08-10

llleuG SlilSSs NC POA WA oAiN VAN w
lie coming in!
On that day in 1921 when l took
the oath of office prescribed by law
to Support and defend the Consti-
tuition of the United States of Amer
lea against all enemies foreign or
domestic, and bear it true faith and
allegiance without mental reserva-
ton or evasion" knowing that the
assignment to me was defense with
true faith" of the most controversial
mart of that Constitution, it was
plain that l had something more
i than an honorary position. had a
lob that demanded work and a lot
lof prayer to carry me through. |
have no UNCONVENTIONAL allegiance to
sany church nor have my parents, but
II do believe in prayer. | do revere
| and respect, contrary to belief IN
! some quarters, the honest religious
convictions of all my fellow-men.
NV purpose, however, is not to de-
tail the trials and tribulations of
Mabel Walker Willebrandt. Too much
has been said about her already
certainly too much at times Tor
comfort and pleasure.
The trouble was that she did not
recognize that part of the Constitu-
, ton, in which the rights of Negroes
/ in this country were guaranteed
therein. She could use the machin-
cry of the Federal Government for
/ the enforcement of the Eighteenth
Amendment, and could make lurid
speeches in it's behalf, but all the
lrest of that celebrated legal docu-
ment had no meaning for her and
she was under no legal or moral
obligation, according to her notion
to say anything in connection there
with. She says further:
Ny only purpose in mentioning
anything of an photographed ma
ture is to give perspective enough
for the reader to determine whether
1.-THE facts | relate and the views l
set forth are worthy Of considera-
ton. For thousands of people say:
| "Why should l pay any attention
to Mrs. Willebrandt? She is not
only fanatic on the subject of pro-
hibition; she is religious bigot who
tried to beat Al Smith, Catholic
by organizing the Protestants against
him."
! To pretend that l have not been
honestly hurt and disturbed by such
comments would be false. I've been
ain politics long enough to expect
and even welcome attack, but no de
cent person likes to be accused OF
ugly, intolerant motives.
This then is vulnerable place in
her armor of pretended Indifference.
She quotes correctly the comment of
her critics and opposers. She con-
tinues:
For eight years l have been en-
gagged in work that has aroused vio-
lent opposition from millions of cit
liens. Before me as this is written,
are clippings from newspapers
throughout the country commenting
on my recent resignation as AS
sistant Attorney General of the
United States. Some give me UNI
stinted praise. Some quote the
words of the President of the United
States:
"The position you have held has
been one of the most difficult in the
government and one which could
not have been conducted with such
distinguished success by one of less
ability and moral courage"
1t is worth lot to have won that
comment from him, but it does not
stop leading papers from harsh edi-
torial comment. Personal criticism
rarely occurred prior to last Sum- ;
mer's campaign. l suppose, though, |
that every heated campaign mustI
have it's "straw man" to hang in !
effigy to appease a bowling populace.
In this campaign | seem to have
been destined for that doubtful
honor. Of course the much heralded |
Springfield, Ohio, speech to the !
Methodists" wasn't an attack on the
rival candidates religion, and it,
wasn't in a church, and | didn't go as
a "free lance" to embarrass the Re- !
publican committee!
Mrs. Willebrandt is on the defen-
sive from the start and this means
the battle is lost to her before she
has begun. She says:
The simple truth is that over my
own written protest | was urged by
the Republican National Committee
in two kilograms (Which now repose
in my files) to make that speech. ,
The week before it was delivered
every word Of it was carefully edit !.
ed by James Francis Burke, Cath !,
ole, and counsel of the Republican !.
National Committee. He did this at !
committee headquarters. ,
The Democratic candidates attack
on me may have turned out to be |
doubtful wisdom politically, but it |
was just a part of political combat :
and not unfair. However, the anti
prohibitionists in my own party were
both unwise and unfair. For they
made common cause with Governor
Smith when he attacked, shouting
eagerly in effect, "Atta boy, ALP
When wet Eastern Republicans start.
ed bombing me as a "free lance"
and an embarrassment" to the par
ty, l had to choose whether to dis
close the kilograms and actually en-
n al