The Washington herald., 1914-06-29

that am asking II more dfficult TO give
than have been other contributions that
you have been more frequently asked "a
make. but ] tell you the satisfaction OF
such contributions. and the effectiveness
Of them will so far transcend anything
you have ever done before in the way OF
participation in politics that you viii
ind the blessedness Of the wise giver is
yours.
! Such then. is the appeal would make
for creating q constructive public opin-
ion. The effort should include frank
ness to the public as TO your own af-
fairs, an appreciation Of conditions out
side of your own personal relationships.
an active participation In political life
that begins far back Of the polls, begins
at the beginning Of formation OF
public opinion-of that public opinion OF
which the result at the polls Is only the
final refection-and would ask that not
only OF the Individual. but would ask
II Of associations of individuals and the
thorough cooperation of such associa-
tions In the work that is TO be done.
I would see that there is banded to-
gether for effective. militant work, not
alone every business man. but every citi-
zen who could be induced to join these
organizations. I would make special ef-
AOII 10 INTO CO-OpcTdllNG EcAhIlOn-
ship those men who more than you are
interested in prosperity. although their
relation to II may be in the humblest
capacity of laborers In those industries
that you help TO direct. ] would especial
ly invite representatives of labor organi-
cations into your councils. / would ask
newspaper writer's and editors to Join in
your deliberations, in order that through
the free exposition Of your views and a
free giving OF information in regard to
your acts and affairs these writers and
editors may be in a better position to
give facts to the. public. Your organi-
nations should be bureaus Of facts. There
must also be a national coordination OF
the work OF these organizations-a ma
tionaI clearing house. a national execu-
tive committee. . BY making use Of the
Organizations and facilities which we al
ready have and by giving TO them
thought and effort in unstintsd measure.
the work can be carried on with un-
doubted success.i
But II the work is to be effectively done.
you must yourselves make the contri-
button of service. You cannot delegate
the work. Do not try the plan OF hiring
others to promulgate your views. You
cannot discharge your duty by writing
checks. Band yourselves together. first
in small associations. and then see that
these associations are united in a COM
mon effort to impress upon the country
those views which are the best results OF
your experience, your Judgment your
sympathy and your righteousness.
Band yourselves together to make an
appeal to the common sense of the peo-
pie. That will not be conspiracy. Seek
by your united efforts to build a public
opinion that will promote the sefety and
happiness of posterity. Do not think only
In days or In weeks. but think in decades.
Realize the responsibility which is yours
to turn present forces in right channels.
Realize that patriotism means a submer-
gence Of self-interest. By a submergence
OF self-interest alone can you help to
form a public opinion that will permit the
creative genius OF business to be recog-
niZed at its true worth. and thus give to
that genius the position IT should rightly
have-a place where II will be above crit
icism.
Such a course OF action will create a |
public opinion that will be constructive. |
and not as now destructive. Of the best
sort OF business activity. II you will do |
this. II all OF us will unite to create such |
a movement there need be little fear for |
the ultimate solution OF our problems. |
nor for the permanence Of our prosperity !
and the pre-eminence Of our country.