Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-23

and weigh argument against argu-
ment. Such an editorial policy would
be entirely in harmony with the news
service which The Associated Press
was organized to give and for that rea-
son I present the suggestion at this
banquet" Mr.. Bryan had something to
say also upon the tariff and continued:
For a long while I was arguing
tariff reform, when could find mighty
little support among the newspaper
fraternity. I found after a while that
1 was too general; that to get the
newspaper men with me I must be
more specific.
"And so I went to my good friend,
our German brother (pointing to Mr..
Ridder) and 1 asked him what l could
do to be sure of the unanimous sup
port of the newspaper fraternity in my
advocacy of tariff reform. He says:
Pulp, and took it up, and for the
first time in my life I found myself on
the side of the majority. I congratu-
late you that there is at least one tie
that binds, that there is at least one
question upon which we can be SYM
pathetic and work together; for 1t
costs me nothing as well as you"
Senator Knox followed Mr.. Bryan,
delivering a characteristic speech that
elected much applause. After paying
tribute to the press, Senator Knox
said in part:
II venture to remind you of your
own great share of responsibility for
that public opinion which will either
make or mar the greatest republic of
~, 10, %o ~,
institutions of your country and the
best ideals of the republic is as great
as great as any sworn officer Of the
law or even the robed justice. What is
true of the judges in the courts of law
is true of you judges, who, in your edi-
torial offices, pronounce, not the SEN
fences Of the law, but the equally great
sentence of public opinion. Agreeable
as popular applause may be to you as
to all of us. it must not make you deaf
to the higher demands of our common
country. Many nischievous law has
found it's way on the statute books be-
cause demanded by 4 public opinion
which has been mistakenly created by
the press, just as many great re-
form could never have been accom-
plished without the patriotic support
Of the American editors. The great
need of our country today is peace be-
tween all interests and confidence in
ourselves. With these, the financial
conversation of the last year will soon
pass away and the press more than
any other class OF public servants can
by calming popular passion and pro-
noting confidence bring back again
into even greater measure the pros
perity Of our common country.
'The affirmative and negative pow
ers of the press should be exerted to
affect a consistent, harmonious and
cumulative evolution of legislation.
The press should lend it's influence to
strengthen the power of the states in
matters over which they have and
should exercise exclusive control and
to strengthen the federal government
in matters committed to it's exclusi7 -
ly. It's preachments should be a stiln-
ulous to the energy and courage &C the
people and it should be quite as keen
to discourage unnecessary and vcxa-
tious interference with the daily affairs
of the ninety and nine who are seek
ing their own happiness and l.ulding
up our country by diligently pursuing
their accustomed avocations as it is
keen to hunt down the bEccaneer sail
ing under self-created letters of COM
mercia1 marque and reprisal and prey
ing upon the commerce of the world"