- Headline
-
Voice Of the People
- Sub-Headline
- Criticizes Coughlin Talk
- Publication Date
- Wednesday, November 30, 1938
- Historical Event
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Father Coughlin Blames Jews for Nazi Violence
This database includes 1,049 articles about this event - Article Type
- Page Section and Number
- 20
- Author/Byline
- Radio Listener
- Image Text
- a keepers a virtue abolished. off antisocial all administration tavern Voice of The People "Let the People Have the Truth and Freedom to Discuss It, and All Will Go Well" CRITICISES COUGHLIN TALK [Madison, Nov. 29.]-Sunday I listened to Fr. Coughlin's speech on "Jews and Persecution" over WIBA, and tried, as much as possible, to be impartial in my judgment. His speech, the Sunday previous, had aroused much criticism and opposition, not only from "Godless Jews" and "Godless Gentiles," but also from some leading rabbis and churchmen whose intelligence and sincere religious devotion it is difficult to question. Wishing to defend himself against such "unjust criticism," as Fr. Coughlin stated, the speech, which he said had been electrically recorded, was repeated, thus further spreading his malicious propaganda. Perhaps the most revolting phase of his speech was that it was clothed in the language, but not the spirit of religion, and that he used his vocation as a Catholic priest to broadcast intolerance and hatred. Time and again he assured his hearers that •his attack was not against good Jews. Thus the Nazi regime started in Germany; but it was not long until those who refused to swallow Hitler's inhuman hatred in a wholesome fashion, or who through accident of birth or heritage had Jewish blood in them -all these were classed together, bad Jews and bad Germans. And there is nothing, from Hitler's point of view, that can be good in a Jew. Coughlin's entire talk was a defense of Germany's Nazi program, an attempt to place the blame for Nazi persecution, Nazi hatred and intolerance on others. One wonders that a Catholic, especially a Catholic priest, can assume such a attitude--for: in the Catholic confessional there is no room for blaming one's sins on others. The form is "I confess to God Almighty . . . that I have sinned exceedingly in word, thought and deed by my own fault, etc." And the Catholic church has s always taught that *the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." So even if, is Fr. Coughlin would have it, all the blame for brutality and hatred is to be placed on the Jewish people, he has traveled far from Catholic belief when he is ready to announce that the Christian is contaminated and overcome by the wickedness of the Jews. Rather, one would sup-| pose, the outstanding quality of the Christian would be his ability to rise above the forces of evil. Furthermore, how ridiculous and unjust to regard Naziism as a defense mechanism against Communism, the work of one race--the Jews. The Jews for centuries in Russia have been a persecuted minority. Priests of the Greek Orthodox church, the state church of Russia, received their appointments and remuneration through the Czarist regime. These men, tools of the Russian government, frequently led and instigated pogroms, massacres in which Jewish men, women, and children were murdered. It is unbelievable that the Russian peasantry, educated for centuries to mistrust and hate the Jew, should suddenly over-night regard him as a savious of light. Whether one is sympathetic or not to the Russian Revolution, it is quite evident that unless it had the support of the majority of Russians, Communism would have been impossible. In Germany, today, Hitler has turned against his own people, people who for centuries in the days of peace have contributed much to German science, art, and culture, and who during the days of the World war have shared in the nation's sacrifice of life and service for the fatherland. They have also shared in the bitter economic dis-| comforts of Germany's defeat. This it is that has outraged the sensibilities of the world. Amony every race and every nation, there have been and still are war profiteers, merchants of death, and those who seek their own advancement at the expense of their countrymen; but one can hardly assign this group to one race, one creed, or one nation. And Father Coughlin, a Catholic, seems to have forgotten the persecutions directed against his own co-religionists in Germany and Austria. And he appears to have forgotten the Papal denunciations | against Hitler's brutality and inhuman program. And what about those Aryans, Father Coughlin, | Pastor centration Niemoeller, and who is other held in a German concamp, Aryan Christians of various denominations whose lives and property have been taken, who have been exiled, imprisoned, murdered, tortured and form today a goodly percentage of the refugees seeking a homeland? These surely are not Jews-how account for their treatment? And even if all could be conceded that Fr. Coughlin believes -that the Jews alone are to blame, what then, oh Christian- Isn't there a story somewhere known as the "Good Samaritan," the man of an alien race who helped his injured brother, while the priest passed by on the other side? When a man has been injured or is facing the danger of being hit by an automobile, is then the time to talk about whether it happened through his own fault--is it not the time, rather, to spend all one's time and thought on saving him from impending catastrophe. Is of is of of There was nothing original about Coughlin's talk -it was merely a reiteration of the kind of reasoning practiced by Nazi and others who attempt to rationalize their- guilt and -inhumanity, Father Coughlin's address was also an attempt to divert the attention and sympathy of outraged members of every race and country from the pressing issue of helping these exiles, whether they be Jews, Catholics, or Protestants; it was also an attempt to rekindle the smouldering embers of hatred and intolerance, which occasionally have flamed up even in this land of freedom. And, when one remembers Henry Ford and his Semitic "Dearbourn Independent," one does not wonder that this prophet, too, comes from Detfoit. Is God or is Henry Ford inspiring yout utterances, O priest? • Beware, however, Father Coughlin, what you do. In the minds of some Americans, when intolerance flames up, there are usually three names that go together -Jew, Catholic, and Negro, But we are thankful that the situation in America is different than in Germany.. Jews and Gentiles who express sympathy with the persecuted are not threatened with death, torture, or imprisonment. We are still permitted to express our attitudes and opinions. Even a Father Coughlin and a Berlin radio station are still benefiting from our patient tolerance. This nation was founded on the theory that all races have something to contribute. Here is spirit of real brotherhood and democracy--a country where differing races, colors, and creeds, contribute in their own way, unmolested, towards the making of their America.-Radio Listener. SAYS PHIL HOS STALLED [Madison, Nov. 28.] -"Establishment of the new department of social adjustment has long been recommended by the federal government, Gov. La Follette pointed out in his order," according to The Capital Times. The reorganization bill, providing for this pos• sible department, was passed by dictatorial methods a year ago last September. Thus Phil waited 4 months to do something he now says was long desired. Why the stall? Or are the Nov. 8 events the compelling factors to freeze his friends in office?Observer. WANTS FINANCIAL STATEMENT [Madison, Nov. 27.]-The Anti-Tuberculosis association will soon be making its public appeal for funds. For many years I have remitted my money for the seals they sent me, yet not once have I seen anything in the nature of a financial statement in the various folders they have included with the seals. I belleve that any organization which asks for general public support should take the public into its confidence to the extent of publishing a financial statement each time it appeals for funds. This is the democratic way. Why don't they do 1t? If they did, the results would be greater public confidence, more liberal public support and, I dare say, greater efficiency within the organization.Interested. HANK CASSERLY, PLEASE NOTE [Madison, Nov. 29.]-On Sunday, Nov. 22, there was a 200 mile national motorcycle race at Oakland, Calif. One of the riders was killed in this race, which was a sad thing. I noticed that you published that fact in your paper, but you did not say anything about the race itself. The motorcyclists in this territory do not know how many races were held or who won them. If our local papers do not give us any information, we have to wait several weeks to find it out. On Sunday, Jan. 22, there will be a 200 mile national race at Daytona Beach, Florida. I hope that your paper will find room enough to tell us something about it. There are 30 motorcycle clubs in Wisconsin consisting of 900 motorcycle riders who are interested in motorcycle activities, especially national events, and we hope that your paper will be able to spare enough room to tell us something about these 118- tional events. If your paper has no way of finding out when and where these events will be held just write me and will let you know. Yours for more and better motorcycle writeups.- John W. Hall. FROM ATTIC ANGELS [Madison, Nov. 26]-The publicity you gave Attic Angel Visiting Nurse association during the Community Union campaign was a real help our organization. The work done by the visiting nurses and at the child health centers has much popular appeal and we want to thank you for the splendid way you brought it before, the public.-Catherine B. Bas• sett, Secretary.
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Learn More about this Historical Event: Father Coughlin Blames Jews for Nazi Violence
- Charles E. Coughlin (Encyclopedia Article)
- American Catholics and Nazi Antisemitism (Catholic University of America)
Bibliography
Warren, Donald. Radio Priest: Charles Coughlin the Father of Hate Radio. New York: The Free Press, 1996.
Marcus, Sheldon. Father Coughlin: The Tumultuous Life of the Priest of the Little Flower. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1973.
Coughlin, Charles. The Fine Art of Propaganda: A Study of Father Coughlin's Speeches. Edited by Alfred McClung Lee and Elizabeth Briant Lee. New York: Harcourt Brace and Company, c1939.
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