Al Smith, America’s 1st Catholic Presidential Nominee (and Enemy of the KKK) - Robert Slayton

10/01/22 • 36 min

Long before Joe Biden, John Kerry and JFK threw their hats in the ring for President, Alfred E. Smith blazed the trail in 1928 as the first Catholic nominee for the White House.
Smith’s story is the stuff of legend. The son of a poor Irish immigrant, Smith grew up in Lower Manhattan, laboured in the local fish market, served in the New York assembly for over 10 years, and won four elections for Governor. During the 1928 presidential election, he encountered an avalanche of anti-Catholic bigotry, much of it spearheaded by the Ku Klux Klan.
Join us as we examine the life and legacy of a good man who lived and defended the faith in public office, and whose witness can help shape our vision of what to look for in any politician, let alone a Catholic one. Our guest is Dr. Robert Slayton, Professor Emeritus of History at Chapman University and author of Empire Statesman: The Rise and Redemption of Al Smith.Documents/Websites Referenced
Dr. Robert Slayton biography

Robert Slayton, “Empire Statesman: The Rise and Redemption of Al Smith”

Alfred E. Smith, “Catholic and Patriot”, The Atlantic (May 1927)

“How Al Smith and FDR countered the KKK and anti-Catholic prejudice in politics”

“The Knights vs. The Klan”

“Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire”

[email protected]www.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Robert Slayton, “Empire Statesman: The Rise and Redemption of Al Smith”

Alfred E. Smith, “Catholic and Patriot”, The Atlantic (May 1927)

“How Al Smith and FDR countered the KKK and anti-Catholic prejudice in politics”

“The Knights vs. The Klan”

“Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire”

[email protected]www.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Previous Episode

Political Vocations, Human Rights, Conservative Leadership ~ Garnett Genuis

We take advantage of the Canadian House of Commons’ summer recess to sit down with Garnett Genuis, Member of Parliament for Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan in Alberta.
We shoot the summer breeze getting to know Garnett better: how his political discernment was partly inspired by a Holocaust survivor in his family and a German bishop who resisted the Nazis; how he juggles his obligations as parliamentarian and father of five; and how the Christian faith is practiced, shared, interpreted and sometimes maligned on Parliament Hill.
Our discussion also features a lively mix of current events: Pope Francis’ recent trip to Canada and the legacy of Indian residential schools; religious freedom at home and abroad; the state of the national pro-life movement; and the outlook for upstart political parties seeking to challenge the conservative establishment.
Oh, and there’s that whole Conservative Party of Canada leadership race to talk about too.
Garnett was first elected to federal office in 2015 and was likewise victorious in the 2019 and 2021 elections. At 35 years of age, he’s spent nearly 20% of his life representing his constituents. He’s the host of his own political podcast, Resuming Debate. Garnett and his wife, Rebecca, live outside Edmonton, Alberta and have five children.
Documents/Websites Referenced
Garnett Genuis biography (official website)“Resuming Debate” podcast hosted by Garnett Genuis
“What the bishop who resisted the Nazis can teach us today,” Catholic News Agency (December 17, 2017)
“Pope Francis in Canada” (official webpage for the July 2022 papal visit)
“‘Terrible and tragic’: Century-old Catholic Church in Morinville, Alta., destroyed by fire,” CBC News (June 30, 2021)
Garnett Genuis tweets #1 and #2 endorsements in 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership race“Canada election: Did the PPC split the Conservative vote? Maybe - but it’s not that simple,” Global News (September 22, 2021)
“Alberta MP among those calling for re-opening of national Office of Religious Freedom,” Grandin Media (March 10, 2021)

[email protected]www.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.

Next Episode

Should Pastors Be Political? ~ Ben Dunson

Should pastors be political?
Before we instinctively leap to the answer “NO!”...
What if we examine that question in the light of what the Church teaches are a pastor’s three primary responsibilities - teaching, sanctifying and governing? And what if by “political” we simply mean the many things relating to our life in common in the body politic, as opposed to the political vocation or mere partisanship?
Joining us to help tackle these questions is Dr. Ben Dunson, author of “Should pastors be political?”, published by First Things in August 2022. Dr. Dunson is editor-in-chief of American Reformer and visiting professor of New Testament at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Carolina.
Documents/Websites Referenced
Dr. Ben Dunson biographyBen Dunson, “Should Pastors Be Political?” First Things (August 26, 2022)

[email protected]www.crownandcrozier.comtwitter.com/crownandcrozierPlease note that this podcast has been edited for length and clarity.