Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-05
FRIENDSHIP KEEPS nth
WILLIAM TYLER PAGE LAUDS
PATRIOTISM. =
Defines Function Of Newspapers
Denounces Press Of Yellow Hue.
Objects to Undertaking.

William Tyler Page delivered the prin-
cipal address at the celebration of the
Fourth of July at Friendship. Nd. last
night.
The celebration was a neighborhood af-
fair. conducted by the citizens of the
community. National patriotism was
expressed in speech and song, fireworks
and stirring bugIe calls.
Patriotism Of Forefathers.
Mr. Page outlined some interesting
facts in connection with the early his
tory Of the colonies independence and
the signing of the Declaration, which ID
celebrated as the great American birth
day. He pointed out that in the first
elemental part of the makeup OF all
public men. and that it had been handed
down as an heirloom to the men of the
present day.
However, he said. there is an evident
desire on the part Of the unthinking
public to decry the efforts of statesmen
at the present time. He made an ap-
peal for safer and saner manner of
criticising public actions.
Criticism Of Public Press.
He said. in part
I'VE hear much these days Of the muck
raker. the ONCE seeker, the CRATER and
the demagogue. UnhappiIy. we shall
hear more Of them so long as people are
prone to patronize them.
THE people no longer judge for them
selves or form public opinion. Their
Judgment is second hand and their opin-
ions reflected opinions.
"Vox populi vox Del never contained
less of truth than at this moment. For
the voice of certain metropolitan news
papers and magazines Of saffron hue is
the voice OF the mass Of unthinking and
unreasoning people. Whatever of public
sentiment exists is but reflex sentiment.
Great Function of Newspaper.
THE country newspapers and many
dailies in the large cities. perform great
public service in furnishing information
and news Inasmuch as newspapers are
read by millions Of people to the exclu-
sion OF standard books great care should
be exercised that wholesome matter be
published and that only the truth be
disseminated
Henry Watterson. one of the coun-
try's greatest journalists. twice within
this year has decried the use Of news
papers dS uStcCtlVc agencies. Inc
proper function Of the reporter, he said,
was to gather news-actual facts-and
not to spy into the family history of
people, nor to express an opinion in the
news columns.
THE press is a very necessary and
useful institution. and the world would
be benighted without it. But its aim
should be to publish legitimate news
and to reflect public sentiment.
TOO often theorists and doctrinaires
control its policies. Then, again. reck-
less and oftentimes unjust criticism of
public men has led to belitting the ser
wants of the people.
Never in the history Of Congress
were its members freer from the faint
Of corruption. And never. 1 daresay,
from close observation. did men in
trusted with the legislation Of ninety
odd millions of people perform their
duties more conscientiously, some at
great sacrifice of time and money"
Committee in Charge.
The committee in charge consisted Of
John r. Swanton, Henry Latterner, G. w.
Rippey and Grant Leet The singing Of
America and 1.-The Star Spangled Ban
ner'' was by chorus of children. The
Declaration of Independence was read by
A. e. Shoemaker.
Refreshments were served under the
care OF a committee composed of Mrs.
Rippey. Mrs. White and Mrs. Bradt The
bug4e calls were given by William Collins.