Smyrna times., 1912-05-08

the middle west, into the section COM
prising the states of New Jersey, Del
aware, Pennsylvania, and contiguous
territory. If the association earns
a profit in it's operations, such profits
is to be put into the improvement OF
the Chautauquas it conducts, and into
the further extension of its field.
The associations capita, stock OF |
$4,000 has been subscribed by men who |
are soldiers of the common good"
and who believe they can be of real |
service by making possible the estab-
lishment of Chautauquas in many COM ,
munities.
An Inspirational Movement.
For Chautauqua is an unparalleled
source of-iRsEiratt ton as as the expert
ence of the more than one thousand
communities of the middle west where
such institutions are conducted proves.
The fact that community after COM
munity in that section has organized
Chautauquas is proof that they have
been helpful to the community life.
Every good cause, every worthy re-
form, is strengthened by Chautauqua.
Public libraries, civic improvement,
"the city beautifuP'-all these and
many other community blessings are
more largely indebted to the Chautau-
oua Movement than is generally
known. For it was at Chautauquas
N. Y. and on the platforms of the
other older institutions of the kind,
that these movements were first pre-
sented in a popular way. Indeed, the
Chautauqua platform is an ideal forum
for the discussion of all such new
movements and programs for the COM
ruon good.
An Unfettered Forum.
Chautauqua belongs to no creed nor
party. While it seeks the conserva-
ton of all that is best in our civiliza-
ton, it faces the future courageously,
believing, with Browning, that the
best is yet to be-" and it is not so
much concerned with defending the
formulae and conventions of the past
as with helping find the solutions that
are to make tomorrow better. There
fore, Chautauqua is an open court fol-
the frank discussion of all proposed
remedies for existing evils, of al
schemes for the reform of abuses oi
whatever kind. Chautauqua neither
endorses nor rejects these programs
but it offers to them all the privilege
of a hearing Whether any particular
scheme of reform makes headway be
fore the court of public opinion is no
the concern of Chautauqua.
Influential Endorsement.
American citizens have a right t
hear all sides of every question, an
the Chautauqua platform is dedicate
to that purpose. The opportunity pre-
sented by the Chautauqua platforI
has been appreciated by our creates
men. Roosevelt calls Chautauqu
"the most American thing in Anne
ica," because of it's unfettered Tbert
of discussion. Bryan, I.aFollett
Champ Clark, the late Senator Doll
yer, Senators Gore, Cummins, Bristo
and many other moulders of publ
opinion have found the ChautauqU
one of the best avenues throus
which to reach the ear of the people.
Entertainment and Amusement.
But the Chautauqua is not a
serious-not all lectures and instru
ton. It stands for the sacredness
Laughter. 1t ministers clean, pure, el
waiting entertainment to livea owe
burdeled with cares and labors. Whi
it instructs, it entertains; while
makes men think, it also makes the
laugh And it stands for music-go'
music, and lots Of It; the best mus
rendered so perfectly that the popul
audience forgets its inherited pre-!
dice against the classics. Thus. VIII
1t entertains. it also elevates.