New Britain herald., 1915-07-07
PRESS, KEEPER OF
 PUBLIC CONSCIENCE
Percy Andreal Declares Address 
 ing Press Congress

San Francisco. July 7.-Percy An- dreas of Chicago, Vice. President Of the American association of Foreign Language Newspapers, addressing the international Press Congress here to- day, asserted his belief that the par amount function of the Press In America was to act as Keeper of the Public Conscience.
 This is no mere metaphor he continued. There never was 8 time when men as we'll as women were so hercely intent upon appealing to the public conscience, and assuming to speak Tn its name. And who Is to distinguish, amid this babel of tom gues wagging in the name of the pub- lie conscience, which voice is truly tht voice of the people and which is not,
 Does More Lasting Damage.
 It is the incessant conflict between the contrary winds of alleged public opinion that does more lasting dam age in our day than even those col ossal social upheavals which occa- sionally result from the clashing ln- terests of race and race. Not because the conflict of human opinions is in ftself injurious, for we know that it is net, but because, when opinions, however, honest, ma.5querade in n false guise, they are misleading, and perplex and bewilder the public con- science instead of clarifying and strengthening it.
 Who, than. Is better qualified than the trained and experienced news paper editor, to point the distinction between the mere passing winds that bend and twist the public mind Tor a 1eeting moment and the real storm wind that originates in the public mind itself, searching it to its utter most depths, and giving it a new and lasting shape"
 Distinction Between Papers.
 The distinction between the foreign language press in America and the American press Mr. Andreas thought make good American of the immt- grant and the duty of the latter to keep him a good American. In this connection, he said:
 T am not at all sure which of the two Tasks is the more difficult. The foreigner when he reaches these shores comes in many cases with that sone-sided conception of American lib- erty which renders him blind to the fact that the exercise of his liberty is conditioned upon his due regard for the liberty of others. In his first exaltation upon being delivered from the sfackles of his old life he is apt to suppose that, since the order of things he has left behind him meant the denial of individual freedom, therefore the state of freedom into which he enters here implies cores pondingly an absence of all necessity to submit to the exigencies of social order. He has to learn, in other words, that, while order may exist without liberty. there is no liberty conceivable without order. It is the task of the foreign language news paper to bring this fact forcibly hoIne to him, and I am making no idle boast when say that 1t has succeed ed in accomplishing this self Imposed task in a remarkable degree.
 Depends Upon Press.
 II have characterized that task as one of making true American of the foreign-born immigrant. Whether. after becoming merged in the general citizenship of the country, he re- mains a true American or not, de- bends, as 1t depends in the case of every on of us, be he foreign-born or native, upon our press than that of keeping the mind of every citizen of this country unalterably fixed upon those fundamental principles of gov ernmen laid down by our immortal forefathers.''
 In conclusion MT. Andreas said:
 Tt is it and proper that the press should bow to the public, because the public is sovereign, But, when we so bow, let us first be sure that it is the sovereign public we are bow ing to, and not a mere bogy, ingen- iously dressed up to resemble it. And, above all, even in lowing, let us re- member that, though, right or wrong, the public ever remains the suprenls sovereign, the press, too, can never di- vest itself of it's own supreme respon- sibility towards that sovereign, upon the faithful fulfi1lment of which he relies, and for the neglect of which he is ever ready to exact stern &C., counting: it's responsibility as tke Keeper of the Public Conscience
 BAPTTSTs CONVENE.
 Young Peoples Union Holds Meeting