The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1960-07-29

affirm the faith of our founding
fathers. Unfortunately, while I am
protestant and view the situation
as you have expressed it, 1 have
neighbors who are hard-set the
other way. 1t is sometimes difficult
to live with them.
Our candidate, Mr.. Kennedy, has
proved his ability, and his fairness.
through his public service in House
and Senate. He has stated his po-
sition solidly with respect to oath
of office if he becomes president.
1 hope you will reprint it to re-
mind all people that a man who
takes the oath of office as Presi-
dent has to consider country first.
If we were to deny any candi-
date the right to hold office be-
cause he is a Roman Catholic, we
must be saying at the same time"
the Catholics would have the right
to vote against other candidates
merely because they are Baptists
or Methodists." Surely, this cannot
be American or moral in principle
or commonsense. We know that
the overwhelming majority of our
office holders are Protestants, and
many of them could not hold Of
flee had Catholics united to vote
against them.
May all of US learn to live in
a spirit of tolerance and brother
hood and put country ahead of all
other considerations, for we surely
need change of administration.
More power to you in your spirit
of fairness, tolerance, and willing
ness to make sacrifices as always
for the good of the people as a
whole.
Sincerely yours,
HOWARD WILLIAMS
Richmond, Va.
July II, 1860.
Editors Note: The foregoing let
ter, like several others were
crowed out last week for lack of
space. The statement by John F.
Kennedy, referred to by this
writer, was made in his acceptance
speech at the Chicago convention,
and is as follows:
II am fully aware of the fact
the Democratic party, by nominal
ing someone of my faith, has taken
on what many regard as new and
hazardous risk - now, at least,
since 1928. But l look at it this
way; The Democratic Party has
once again placed its confidence in
the American people, and in their
ability to render free, fair judg-
ment. And you have, at the same
time, placed your confidence in me,
and in my ability to render a free,
fair judgment-to uphold the con-
stitution and my oath of office
and to reject any kind of religious
pressure or obligation that might
directly or indirectly interfere with
my conduct of the presidency in
the national interest. My record of
fourteen years supporting public
education supporting complete
separation of church and state
and resisting pressures from any
source on any issue should be clear
by now to everyone.
II hope that no American, con-
sidering the really critically issues
facing this country, will waste his
franchise by voting either for me
or against me solely on account
of my religious affiliation. 1t is
not relevant, 1 want to stress, what
some other political or religious
leader may have said on this sub
ject. 1t is not relevant what abuses
may have existed in other countries
or in other times. 1t is not relevant
what pressures, if any, might con-
ceivably be brought to bear on me.
/ am telling you now what you are
entitled to know: That my decisions
on every public policy will be my
own-as an American, a Demo-
crat and free man."