Editor's Criticism of Evangelist Brings Criticism of Editor, Nov. 14, 1924

As Was to Be Expected

I am being punished for expressing my honest convictions about the Evangelist Ham who has made a vaudeville show and a commercial business of the sacred matter of religion. Some have cancelled their subscriptions; several old familiar advertisers do not appear in this issue of my newspaper; one man says I should be run out of town; another self-righteous brother says I should be struck up a tree and shot. All this was to be expected. Jesus Himself was crucified for showing up the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of his times. I do not mean to compare myself with the incomparable soul who gave His life for his convictions and principles, but only mention Him as the world’s outstanding example of what happens to a man who speaks against the intrenched hypocrisy of his times.

But there I smore tolerance and commonsense in my tow, my section and my State than I dreamed of. The number of those who have approved of the stand I have taken is glorious evidence that people are thinking for themselves. What is better still is the evidence I find of a larger number who, while disagreeing with me, respect my right to hold and voice my own honest opinions.

I shall not quarrel with those who “cut” me or otherwise attempt to punish me for knocking off the clay feet of one of their idols of the moment; I respect the sincerity of all who sincerely disagree with me and I have no punishment to mete out to those who are honestly indignant and hostile. In the future, as in the past, I shall be judged, and I shall stand or fall, upon my record as a man a citizen in this community. Those who are my enemies today will be my friends to-morrow. My enemies are, after all, mostly good enough people who misunderstand me. Time and understanding will right everything.

But let me make this suggestion to all who would say that I am not respectful to their pet religious predilections and prejudices: IF YOU WOULD BE RESPECTED, YOU SHOULD BE RESPECTFUL. That is a very good rule to follow. A gospel peddler who has commercialized religion for the profit he gets out of it may come into our town and outrage my feels and condemn my viewpoint, and that is considered perfectly all right! But I, who have given much study and thought to my own religious problems, mustn’t enter one word of protest. That isn’t exactly fair now, is it? Do not answer now; wait until Ham has got the money he came after; wait until you can think calmly and dispassionately. I have confidence in the ability and inclination of all people to think fairly when they do their own thinking. At the present moment there are a lot of good people in our town who are letting a squatter do their thinking for them. It will not always be so.

From page 4, the editorial page, of The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., Friday, Nov. 14,1924, W.O. Saunders, Editor. For more details about this disagreement, go to page 1 of this issue. Saunders has devoted the whole page to the arguments.

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