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"From that point on, Mr. Matthews has been one of the most conspicuous Red-hunters in the field . . . The irony of Mr. Matthews' career is underscored by the fact that, in his days of 'united front' leadership, he excoriated Protestantism as the dupe and servant of capitalism; today as the dupe and servant of Communism." Hutchinson sees the Matthews story as a tragedy for which the church must accept some responsibility. "I know there must be deep flaws somewhere in the man . . ." he admits. "Yet I cannot help believing that if the church had only been a little more willing to grant him a hearing and opportunity in the days when he was trying to stir it to new outlooks, such a waste of ability and promise would never have happened."
Another notable comment on the Matthews affair came from Virginia's Senator Harry F. Byrd. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover had told him, said Byrd, that the FBI knows of no minister who has been proved to be a Communist agent. To Harry Byrd, at least, this is "convincing evidence" that the Matthews charge was baseless. "If any ministers were engaged in Communist activities, it is a remarkable thing that Mr. Hoover hasn't found one who can be convicted."