I have finished with the Dearborn Independent and the flimsy fabric of its ridiculous charges.  My self-imposed task is finished, and I am content to leave the grotesque legend of the protocols, together with the monstrous and cruel charge based upon them, to the judgment of my fellow citizens of Gentile birth.  Into the motives of Mr. Henry Ford I do not care to enter.  I suspect that they are pathological in their origin.  Be that how it may, my pity for the man is as profound as my contempt for the propaganda with which he has chosen to associate himself.  To be capable of deliberately inciting and fostering race hatred at any time is to cease to be capable of enjoying the fellowship of decent and just men and women; to incite such hatred now, in the midst of such unprecedented suffering and the universal need of fellowship and healing, is a pitiful self-degradation.

This organized propaganda of anti-Semitism has had one wholesome result which its organizers neither foresaw nor intended.  It has called forth a notable protest by men and women of Gentile birth and Christian faith which may well stand as the answer of American civilization and democracy to this ancient and hateful evil.  All honor to President Wilson for departing from official traditions and placing his name to that protest.  Throughout the civilized world that declaration has gone ­America’s answer to anti-Semitism.

I suppose that so long as the imperfections of human nature endure, so long as there are men and women who are weak, selfish, cruel, vengeful, or ignorant, there will be racial and religious hatreds to be guarded against and opposed.  I suppose, too, that until wars have ceased to be possible, in war’s aftermath such hatreds will flourish.  Against every form of racial and religious hatred, against sectarian bigotry and intolerance, every loyal American citizen should be prepared to take an uncompromising stand.  That obligation, I take it, is implicit in our citizenship.  It is for the integrity of that citizenship that I am concerned to plead.  Anti-Semitism commands our special attention to-day because it is being spread by an elaborately organized propaganda.  But the duty of the Christian to defend the Jew against persecution is neither greater nor less than the duty of the Protestant to defend the right of the Catholic or of all white citizens ­Christians and Jews, Catholics and Protestants ­to stand solidly against injustice to the negro and in defense of his rights when these are assailed.  My plea, is not for pro-Semitism in opposition to anti-Semitism, but for loyalty to American ideals in opposition to any and all attempts to divide our citizenship on racial or religious lines.

Because of a reasoned faith in those principles and ideals of democracy which brought this nation into being, and toward the realization of which we have steadily progressed through sunshine and storm, through peace and war, I am opposed to anti-Semitism and every manifestation of it.  Anti-Semitism and the American ideal can never be reconciled.  Far sooner shall men reconcile fire and water, or mix oil and water inseparably, than blend the cruel and hateful passions of anti-Semitism with the generous spirit of America.  For America’s safety and honor, therefore, I plead for unity against this sinister foe lurking within the gates, as against all other foes, no matter under what flag they may be marshaled.