The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-27
southbury, Nov. 2Sth. 1889,

American way"p appearing in the
Nov, 25th, issue Of the Ameri-
can you ask question, and by
thinly yelled inference answer, to
your own evident satisfaction, that
the United Americans are preach
Ing and practicing the discredited
tactics Of certain misguided ele-
ments Of early American society.
We naturally expected some
such blast, from Nazi or Com
munistic sources, but were not ex-
pecting such an attack from an
American paper which has ha6
every opportunity to check up on
our every activity. AS you have
expressed the fear that the United
Americans are proponents Of gag
ging" by "any available manner"
may we ask you to show that you
do not follow that course, by CIV
ing full publicity to this. our
answer? to What American WayP'
In the first place, you have alb
solutely no grounds for coupling
us with the Know-Nothings Of
early days. On the contrary, our
whole presentation has been
founded on the need of O closer
of kinship between the religious
and racial groups comprizing the
citizenship Of our country. A. clear
er understanding and sympathy
with each others beliefs and tradi-
tions.
You have inferred that we may
be Vigilantes and Night-riders.
We have indisputable proof, writ
ten records of addresses. radio
talks and news items which show
that we have consistently con-
demned Vigllante methods, in toto,
and have followed o course Of en-
lightment, open discussion and
legislative action to forward our
cause.
AS for linking us with the Ku
Klux Khan, that most secret of all
secret organizations, our record
speaks for itself. Our organization
Is founded on constitution which
states In part, 1.-THE United Amer
leans shall be an association of
American citizens bound together
by the sacred ties Of American
patriotism.
''There shall be no initiation,
secret pass word, grips or tokens
imposed or required Of members,
and no member shall be required
to answer any question as to rae
ial descent, religious belief, party
utilization, or financial standing.
Members will be admitted by CIV
ing proof Of American citizenship.
1t shall be a non-partisan, nom
sectarian association"
Further, I'VE pledge ourselves to
resist every. attempt by alien
forces to Introduce into our coun-
try, PHILOSOPHERS, propaganda, or
physical activities, subversive OF
our National security as a DEM
ocracy. We further pledge our
selves to the promotion and enact
ment of adequate laws to meet
these alien activities" Is there
anything of the Know-Nothing,
the Vigilantes, or the Khan in this
declaration of purposeP
These principles of the United
Americans we have religiously fol-
lowed. Our meetings have been
open to the public. We have re-
peatedly invited the public to at
tend-and with no financial condi-
tions entailed--We have extended
that invitation to Nazis and Com
munists alike with an assurance
OF fair discussion and no heckling.
We have In our organization,
Catholics and Protestants, Jews
and Gentiles, Republicans and
Democrats. We have men and
women Of many racial descents.
A true cross section OF Loyal
America. Where then do you
base your insinuation Of Bigotry,
intolerance or perverted American
ism9
No, Mr.. Editor, we are none OF
the things your picture painted
us. We are Americans. Better
than you, for we con-
serve our energies to combat
known and recognized enemies OF
our American government rather
than attacking fellow Americans
engaged In defending their coun-
try from undetermined attacks.
did say that our Bill of Rights
Ia "for Americans, Not Aliens"
That statement shall defend to
the last. We have maintained
and defended the right OF Ameri-
cans to every provision OF our Bill
of Rights but we contend. and
pardon us II this Is intolerance or
bigotry, that the founders Of Our
constitution never intended that
this safeguard Of American lib
erty should extend across the sea.
The thousands Of American men
who have given their lives IN It's
defense and those who defend 1t
now, never interpreted that Amer
lean Bill of Rights TO be an in
vitation to alien powers to use 1t
as a deadly weapon to destroy the
very power which gives 1t effect.
We acknowledge the inalienable
right of Americans to free speech
and peaceful assembly, as Amer
leans. We challenge the right OF
paid agents of inimical alien Gov
ernments, whether such agents be
alien or native born, to destroy the
structure of American govern
ment, to erect on its ruins the
inhuman tenets Of Nazi-ism or
Communism, flying to the safe
haven of OUR Bill Of Rights when
detected in THEIR subversivework.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, We
wish to assure you that we United
Americans too, believe, as you
claim to, That 1.-THE old fashioned
American way, in the idealistic
sense" Is superior to Nazism or
Communism. That is the Ameri-
canism we support and practice,
You prove otherwise If you can.
We have been In existence two
years. Publish one iota of evidence,
Mr.. Editor. to back your editorial
that We are bigoted. intolerant.
have reverted to secret terrorism,
or resort to "Nazi thuggery or
Bolshevik brutality. You have had