Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-05-09

development of the profession is bound
to be retarded: believe the publisher
and and the the Individual alike should prac-
cuse for making. the newspaper the
scandal. .monger Of the community. We
know there is more Of good than of
and helpful things, the. crushing Of
pharisaism and the looking. upon the
bright side must inevitably, though
munities.
Let me return for moment to the
unconsidered trifes' and their relation
to despise the little things. Too many
young men seek to jump over the in
tervening years, of hard knocks and at
perience whatever, into the place of
responsibility, only to discover too late
that preparedness is no less important
nicts of nations. Pulling the tall Of
washington hand press. sweeping the
office. sticking type, washing the
forms and doing other. necessary things
IN those country weekly days covered
the work OF preparation for the later
period and there is still among some
interesting souvenirs faded promis-
sorry note for wages due in that SPRING
time of my newspaper activities. But
neither wages nor hope of reward fig
ured much In that youthful vision.
lure. the crown Of all, and tonight as
look back it is my honest belief that
the JOY over the job well done is in
nn1tely ndy greater than that which ,ac-
companies the increasing pay check
service.
Newspapers Functions
"As to. the function of the news
paper IN its chosen field that is mat
ter Of individual judgment. My thought
is that 1T should be first of all and al
ways the accurate historian of the city
or town In which 1t. is published, COW
news of all the people and standing for
the community. as a whole. 1t must
De clean wholesome. sane and de-
the University of Pennsylvania, dis
cussing newspapers as a factor in his
tory instruction. said a day or two
by all means bring them into the
class when they will not interfere with
the regular course of study. They will
Pc be especially especially valuable in discussion, of
shown that the failure to make history
teaching effective has been due in part
to lack of equipment and to lack of en-
thusiasm. Certainly newspaper refer
-, But above all else let me empha-
snmcb slIe 9hat at the -, newspaper must keep in
an intelligent observer the people
cease to patronize them. You may
oress ciass up your pages with all the high
lists, and the brilliant special people
IN the world but you cannot keep cir
culation unless you are in some meas
ure talking the language of the
General Simon Cameron, also a
printer in his early days and the most
sagaclous political leader of the last
It is important to get the drift Of pub,
lie sentiment and then lead the Way.'
ne ne y was right and in this connection
ing the folly of a misguided leader who
came TO the converging point of two
hfghways-he proceeding alone on one
road and the people marching up the
TINS view, however. I would not be mis-
understood. 1t is clearly the duty of
the t newspaper to blaze the trail inso-
in the forming of intelligent public
opinion; but Judgment upon the facts
must be left to the people themselves
ana ana IL is the wise newspaper that anti
way. 'ho
Crisis Approaching
Far be 1t from me to indulge in
pesslmism-there is no reason for that
but in all seriousness I want to say
logic of events that the signs Of the
times point unerringly to a transforma
in flon IN our national life which may
inX6ive lritSi during the next few years
Withlh decade, perhaps-such a test
OF our American institutions as shall
call forth the highest devotion and pa-
tr1otism of our people. And the news
paper must be ready against that day
1t dare not shirk its responsibilify
and. 1t should even now be preparing
for the performance of task that is
almost certain to require unflinching
courage, clearness of vision and sound.
ness of Judgment.
Having worked with the workers
and touched elbows with publishers and
writers in town and city, the conclu-
sion is irresistible that upon the news
paper depends in large measure the
solving of the titanic problems which
confront this nation. We must heed
the call, and let me adjure you young
men who are earnestly preparing for
this work to gird on your armor that
ye may be able to withstand the evil
day, and having done all to stand:
your IONS girt with truth and having
on the breastplate of righteousness.
MY faith in the high purpose the
patriotism. the justice and the morality
OF those who are making the news,
papers Of our country is deep-rooted.
and In the. strainng period to come
there VIII be no surrender of princi
pie, no faltering, no false teaching. no
Heeing from the post of duty, however
trying the obligation or tremendous
the responsibility"