The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-12
Fr. Coughlin's Reply An Epic

First of all let it be said that the radio address of the Rev Charles B. Coughlln last evening in answer to General Hugh IS. Johnson left nothing unsaid or to be imagined where and for what the flight ing priest" stands in the way of social and economic justice in this country today Secondly. it disconnected him beyond any shadow of a doubt from the Huey Longs Upton Sinclairs and all similar fantastic lreformers as the General tried to make 1t appear he was in the hope ot killing off brilliant leader and thinker by the association. Father Coughlln ideas for the future welfare of this country are as dissociated from any of these as day and night. And finally the address stripped General Johnson as bare of plausible reason for his address other than "a yenemous attack on a new born babe. 1t left him with about as much of leg to stand on as helpless babe and apparently with as little brains. If the Generals Understanding vocabulary can talk him out of the dignified but terrific facing he received last night, we can only add that his gall exceeds his ignorance.
 Enough for the chocolate soldier'", dead ere his prime. It was, indeed, interesting to hear Father Coughlin disentangle him. .solf from those who would tie their flimsy kites to hisspopularity. His plan as the Democrat pointed out yesterday in oppos- ing Senator Longs dream, provides for no political whack-up, but merely christian mode of living as God when he created this world, intended 1t should be-
 Man must sooner or later realize that he is his brothers keeper and that every man has a duty to his fellow man, namely, liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness
 todd hou eft for .years, as Father Coughlin pointed out, the ".money-changers" have been encroaching more and more upon this liberty until man. kind, for the most part, is all but reduced to serfdom. If these shackles are ever to be thrown off, now is the time and, as Father Coughlin says, the League of Social Justice is the instrument. The plan IS far from revolutionary in the sense of the word, but, if put into effect against the politician, more than revolutionary enough to make him see the error of his ways.
 It is in this behalf that Father Cough lin. not as a priest, but an American citizen, makes his plea to his ever grow, ing millions of listeners. Last evenings radio address once and for all should rend the veil of religious mysticism within or without the church as to the motives for his virulent crusade. He effectually pierced the SmOke-Screen to that e1Iect III refusing to surrender his calling for the privilege of talking. He still is and will be priest, but also an American citizen, and as such continue the fight against oppression. It was perhaps fortunate that Father Coughlin, although disgusted with many of the so-caled New Dealers, ex- ploded the myth that he had broken with President Roosevelt. And it is further reassuring to find that he still thinks the President, if unhampered, has in him the qualifications to carry the nation on the way to social recovery. And who knows but out of it all, if the Johnsons and Longs are given rope enough, they will hang themselves and those for whom they are talking. Even the International Bankers can send the pitcher once too often to the well. General Johnson may yet crack the crockery.