Evening star., 1950-12-13

President Truman today had
increased his growing reputation
as a trigger tempered letter writer
this time with one to Repre-
sentative Herbert. Democrat. Of
Louisiana deploring the low
state of politics in the recent elec-
tion campaigns in five States.
The letter was written in reply
to one by Mr.. Herbert. frequent
critic of the administration. sug-
gesting the President set aside a
day of prayer for guidance in the
present world crisis.
Mr.. Hebert's original letter,
dated December S, read:
Dear Mr.. President:
'The present crisis in which we
are living is naturally Nof great
concern to every American and it
is in that connection that I re-
spectfully submit a suggestion to
which I hope you will agree.
Hopes for National Unity.
"In these times of indecision
and unrest it is most imperative
that our people become united and
solidified in the common cause of
the preservation of our accepted
way of life. To that end I suggest
that you, as President of the
United States. call upon the
churches of America, Catholic.
Protestant and Jewish, to set aside
a Sunday between now and Christ
mas. to appeal to Almighty God
for guidance and wisdom in what
I believe to be the gethsemane of
our existence.
II believe that now is the time
for our people to set aside what
ever differences of opinion that
might exist in a unified effort for
ultimate success in our fight to
continue the freedom of the free
peoples Of the world.
II believe and suggest that the
spiritual leaders Of our Nation be
called upon to set aside a Sunday
on which the respective pastors
shall urge the people of this coun-
try to join in prayer to the God
Of their belief to give to our re-
sponsible officials, political and
the wisdom and the
courage to arrive at the right and
proper decisions. At the same
time I believe that our religious
leaders should explain to their
flock the ideals and principles for
which we are fighting and for
which many are offering up the
supreme sacrifice.
Points to Crusade.
Certainly we are engaged in a
crusade as important as any in
which our forebears ever partici-
pated. Our modern crusaders,
under the banner Of the United
Nations, are fighting just as hard
and as vigorously and as cou.
rageously. to gain the holy graf
of individual liberty and freedom
as any knight who went forth In
the armor of his time.
II do hope. Mr.. President. that
you will see fit to concur in this
suggestion. and ask the churches
of America to set aside Sunday
prior to Christmas, the feast day
OF the nativity of the Prince OF
Peace, to call upon God in this
fight against a goddess theology
And where should the peoples OF
the world look for help and as
sistance in fight against God ex-
cept to God Himself.
1T is my sincere belief that the
psychological effect on the Ameri.
can people and the peoples of the
world would be a terrific impact
in the cause which we all espouse
and in a united nation to fight
the forces Of evil which threaten
us at the moment.
II do hope I have your concur
renee"
Presidents Reply.
Mr.. Truman's reply, dated De-
cember 7:
MY dear Congressman Hebert
Il appreciate very much your
letter of the fifth, and 7 am en-
closing you a copy of my Thanks
giving proclamation, inviting your
attention to the wind-up of that
proclamation beginning. "Now
therefore" I think that effec-
lively answers your suggestion
Il am extremely sorry that the
sentiments expressed in yo,lr let
ter were not thought of before
November Z. when the campaign
in your State, Utah. North Caro-.
lima, Illinois and Indiana was
carried on in manner that was
as low as I've ever seen ana I've
been in this game since 1906"
MI. Hebert's second letter
dated December 8:
my Dear Mr.. President:
Il am stunned by the contents
of your letter of December 7th
in reply to my letter of Decem-
ber 5th.
1T is indeed exceedingly re-
grettable that you failed to grasp