Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-23
Churchmen AssaiI
Mccarthy, Jenner
And VeIde Red Hunts

Two Washington churchmen,
speaking from their pulpits, yes
terday denounced the Commu-
nist-hunting tactics Of Senator
Mccarthy, Republican, of Wis
consin. and Representative Velde,
Republican. of Illinois.
The Very Rev. Francis B.
Sayre. jr., dean of the Washing
ton (EpiscopaD Cathedral, said
the two legislators were tempt
ing God" by operating ION the
assumption that they are the
divinely constituted guardians of
other mems consciences, other
mems patriotism or thoughts"
Called Shocking"
DR.. A. Powell Davies of All
Souls Unitarian Church called
Senator Mccarthy, Mr.. Velde
and Senator Jenner, Republican.
Of Indiana, Shocking"
Mr.. Velde is chairman of the
House Un-American Activities
Committee. Senators Mccarthy
and Jenner have been active in
various groups hunting for Reds
in the United States.
Said DR.. Davies:
This man Velde and Senator
Jenner, who called Gen. George
C. Marshall a front man for
traitors and a living lie togeth-
er with Senator Mccarthy. whom
it is not necessary to character
lie. propose to investigate our
educational institutions.
Morally Untitled"
Let me say as a minister of
religion and as one who has been
opposed to Communism for far
longer than they have, that they
are morally untitled for such an
undertaking. What will be the
effect upon young people in our
schools and colleges when they
see their teachers investigated
by men who are reckless with
accusations and careless with
truth?
1T is utterly repugnant to the
high principles of American
education and abhorrent TO
everything the churches stand |
for that men like these should |
mock us with their cynicism. If
our educational system is to be
investigated, let it be by legisla-
tors Of high moral character
who can make our young people |
proud of our American tradi-
tionS
Need Decent Leaders.
"Rebuke these men Let us
fight Communism with clean
hands, and led by decent men |
-. The time to deal with !
tyranny is before it is en-
trenched.' a.
Dean Sayre, a grandson Of !
Woodrow Wilson and son of the |
former Assistant Secretary of |
State, told his congregation at |
Washington Cathedral that one
OF the Devils methods was to
overawe people, and brighten
them into following blindly.
Dean Sayre added:
well, it also seems to be
Senator McCarthy's, and Con-
gresham Velde's, and a great
many others today who are
demonstrating that they believe
God and the Nation are best |
served by the frightened and |
credulouS collaborators of a SER
vile brand Of patriotism.
Is Tempting God"
ut comes mighty close to
tempting God when any one
operates on the assumption that |
they are the divinely constituted |
guardians of other mems con-
sciences. other mems patriotism
or thoughts. Once the church |
occupied this role, but when it |
abused the power-as it some
times did-the modern world
would trust it no longer. Yet |
today this power is in the hands
Of men far less responsible"
Dean Sayre also spoke in favor
of home rule for the District,
and against American Legion
picketing of theaters showing
"Limelight," a new Charlie
Chaplin film.
Dean Sayre suggested oppo-
nents Of home rule did not want
to run the risk of losing their
positions and privileges to others.
Criticizes Legion.
He said the American Legion
had not proved in court that Mr..
Chaplin was subversive. He
added: