New-York tribune., 1905-01-12
AMERICAN PRESS FREE.
Chicago Press Club Celebrates It's
T1centy-ffth anniversary.

Chicago Jan. 1.-THE twanty-ffth anniversary OF
the founding of the Chicago Press Club was cele-
brated tonight, with a banquet in the clubrooms
In after dinner speeches statesmen and authors of
national reputation invited guests and newspaper
men praised the power influence of the Ameri-
can press in the highest terms The principal
speakers OF the evening were Colonel George Har
vey, of New-York. and Governor Albert f. Cum
MINIS Of Iowa Two hundred and forty members Of
the club. with their guests, were present Homer
J. Carr, president POSTMASTER. Colonel Har7
vey in responding to the toast. The Freedom of
the Press" said.
that Of America in freedom from influence political
soclai from Venality. from contamination OF any
ions are matter Of francs; in England, too often
oeraI o niIies: s In German Austria and spain OK I'M
tane.rica, thanks to the maintenance of the sturdy
Danas, BENEFITS. Medirs and Bowleses OF the
be past the fuasamental integrity Of the press cann9
have have our ,1diy exaggerated headlines week
LAYS, and our monstrosties Sundays; we have
nane columns and columns of crime. and pages and
tinae we have our red and white papers. some
PersonaT TO Sd as yellow ELL % s n defend or
maze MAKE apology for this latest manifestation of COM
trines in the American press. But. however seri-
c5o cgSy we may regret and resent the ebution, we
Ignore the Irresistible conclusion that this
r hs9 aPd this this aone oTS cb
iovi M isipated only by the clear rays Of reason fol-
owing any form Of expression.
d.
o, Gay stands forth vivid example OF the effect OF
sstuPPIesseo opinion Discomfort would better burn
ela ge SInoulder The continuous kissing Of offensive
Eases escaping is not pleasant but 1t is infinitely
RTelerable to the otherwise inevitable explosion
1et more important. more vital the permanence
vi government or whole people by themselves, IS
aoSoIule IreeqoTn OF expression. Upon that all de-
PeIds restrict It, or create the impression in sus-
PlGous minds that it is being restricted, and you
With this general dictum few If any would have
me hardlhood 10 disagree. But ii is often, end I
IegTeI 10 say often truly. urged that liberty is sub
HeEIed 10 license; Freedom of speech. freedom Of
or preserving both. But how frequently is added.
especially by men in public office, a vigorous
almost daily is uttered, sometimes violent and un-
warranted, sometimes dignihed and iustihable,
protest against Invasion Of privacy" "encroach-
rnent upon personal rights" and like offences.
only those behind the curtain of the editorial
sancturn can fully appreciate the proportion of in
sincerity contained in the virtuous avowals of
OF both sexes. In nine out of ten, the most
Vocferous protest may be attributed safely to self
sufhciency, snobbishness a guilty conscience.
There Is little of malice in American news
questonably true that too little heed is paid to
the fact that unwilful misrepresentation is often
quite as serious in effect.
Worst Of all is the refusal to rectify a known
error. Cursed be the who initiated the policy
or never making TetractiOn in the columns of his
Journal The fact that an Individual, whether
right wrong. is virtually voiceless and helpless
in controversy with a newspaper should and does
morally vest him with the right to exceptional
stopped. but the responsible for its circula-
on directly or indirectly who fails to exert every
possible endeavor to that end is unworthy Of asso-
clatiOn with decent men. An American newspaper
should be an American gentleman
To see the right is genius; to do IL is courage
Unite the two under the banner OF sane idealism,
enlightenment and good will lie in the free press
Of America.