Van Dyke v. Wilson

Out from Avalon, his estate at Princeton, N. J., last week sallied Dr. Henry van Dyke, 77, Presbyterian, verbally to thrash Dr. Clarence True Wilson, 58, Methodist, for Dr. Wilson's insults to Dr. van Dyke's father, the late famed Dr. Henry Jackson van Dyke of Brooklyn. Dr. Wilson, general secretary of the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition & Public Morals, had written a report, kept secret until dragged forth by the Senate Lobby Committee, on the Board's war against the "foes" of Prohibition before the 1928 presidential elections. Dr. van Dyke was perplexed to find himself --onetime (1902) Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. as was his father before him (1876)--attacked by Dr. Wilson for supporting Smith for President. Perplexity became indignation when he read Dr. Wilson's comment: "I was not so much surprised at this, for I have a distinct recollection that his father was a Presbyterian preacher of the same stripe [who] denounced the Government of the U. S., cannonaded Lincoln and advocated the extension of slavery."

Retorted Dr. van Dyke last week: "Dr. Clarence True Wilson of the Methodist Board of something or other has made a public attack upon me which is of no consequence because it is so evidently false. His middle name is a mistake.

"I have never advocated the elevation of any President, except Woodrow Wilson, but I have protested and still protest and will protest . . . against the tyranny of an inquisitional church in American politics.

"But when Dr. Clarence Blank Wilson goes beyond my insignificant personality to attack my beloved father in his grave, it is impossible for a man of honor to keep silent. . . . [His] statements are false and their tone is malignant.

"Can it be that Dr. Wilson now really represents the great Methodist Church? It seems incredible. I have known very many good Methodists like Dr. Buckley and Bishop Candler and Secretary Daniels and counted them among the best of men.

"But this Dr. Wilson seems to be of a different tribe. He has no scruples and the truth is not in him. . . ."

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