Catholic and liberal Democrats — who were strongest in northeastern cities — decided to make the Klan an issue at the 1924 Democratic National Convention in New York City . Their delegates proposed a resolution indirectly attacking the Klan ; it was defeated by one vote out of 1,100 . The leading presidential candidates were William Gibbs McAdoo , a Protestant with a base in the South and West where the Klan was strong , and New York Governor Al Smith , a Catholic with a base in the large cities . After weeks of stalemate and bitter argumentation , both candidates withdrew in favor of a compromise candidate
1924 Democratic National Convention
1924 Democratic National Convention
Ku Klux Klan