EVIL ATTACKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 225, 22 September 1928, Page 9

EVIL ATTACKS.

BIGOTRY IN POLITICS

Al. Smith Slates Sectarian Slanderers.

OWN PARTY ADMONISHED.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.)

NEW YORK, September 21.

The Democrat candidate for the Presidency, Mr. Al. Smith, in a speech at Oklahoma city last evening, made a bitter attack Upon members of his own party and of the Republican party, whom he accused of having injected bigotry and religious hatred into the contest by spreading slanders in a "whispering campaign." Mr. Smith was ushered into the State by a blazing Ku Klux Klan cross which burned in a meadow through which his train passed. The candidate was accorded a great reception by the public. Nevertheless, a large contingent of State troops was called out to guard him and his party. Mr. Smith said he owed it to the people of the United States to discuss frankly and openly with them these attempts to inject intolerance and unAmerican sectarian division into the campaign, which should be ah intelligent debate on the important issues which confronted the people. He had been told that politically it might be expedient for him to remain silent on the subject, but no political expediency would keep him from speaking out in an endeavour to destroy these evil attacks. The speaker said his detractors had breathed into the hearts and souls of the people a hatred of millions of their fellow countrymen because of their religious belief. Nothing could be so contradictory of the whole history ofc America. Nothing could be so false to the teaching of their Divine Lord. The world knew no greater mockery than the use of a blazing cross, like that upon which Christ had died, as a symbol to instil into the hearts of men a hatred of their brethren, whereas Christ had preached and died for the brotherhood of man. "I emphatically declare that I do not wish any member of my faith to vote for me on any religious grounds," said Mr. Smith. "I want them to vote for me only when, in their hearts and consciences, they are convinced that my election will promote the best interests of their country."