Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-07-28


garding terms of peace as will make
peace terms certain that are democrat.
lie and right, the censorship rules given
out by the committee on public in
formation at Washington last month
contain this most significant suggested
prohibition:
Speculation about possible peace
Is another topic which may possess ele-
ments of danger as peace reports may
be of enemy origin, put out TO weak
en- the combination against Germany"
That pronouncement Is at variance
with an earlier one: BLESSED are the
peacemakers."
People Should Have Voice.
Such prohibition If carried into eff
feet, as of course 1t cannot be vet
thank God-ln this republic, would
mean, as another has said, that 1.-The
administration alone could conclude
peace when 1t was ready and not be-
fore and on Its own terms, and that
both opinion as to the wisdom of its
would be withheld from the public"
With such secret diplomacy no real
friend Of democracy can agree. "Peo-
pie who pay for and fight the war have
right to know on what grounds 1t
may be ended and when. They should
have voice in the restoration of peace
and IN the dlctation of the terms upon
which that peace may be rightfully
won." We must prepare for the day
not far distant, let us hope-when
1.-THE tumult and the shouting dies
The captains and the kings depart"
The war may last for years. 1t may
end as ii came, overnight However
this may be, now Is the time for the
press In every proper way to enlighten
and educate public opinion that will
make this world safe for democracy
world when the war fortunately comes
to close.
| congratulate you as members OF a
profession having large responsibility
speak to men In whose hands Is, to
large degree, the making of world.
We are building a world house anew.
Blo0d-stained bricks enter into its con-
struction. Let us see that the blood
Is not shed in vain. Let us see that
the new house of humanity has In ii
ample room for all peoples, room to
grow to the fullest stature of individ-
ual and national strength. Macaulay
said with truth: There are only two
forms Of nt-goyernment by
public opinion and government by the
sword" Let us see to it that gov
eminent by public opinion dominates,
making unnecessary and impossible
government by the sword. Holding in
largest measure the sources of pub
LEFTY under our control, the output
of raw material out of which public
opinion is manufactured, let us with
courage and patriotism and love for
all humanity do our "bit." Thus and
thus alone may permanent govern
ment by the sword be averted and an
enduring righteous peace prevail.
All Journalists in Same Boat.
What | have said of journalism as
a weapon for democracy applies to
small newspapers as well as to large
newspapers, to the rural weekly as to
the metropolitan daily, to the man In
humblest position as to the man In
the most conspicuous place-reporter,
editor, publisher, alike. We are all in
the same boat. We cannot leave the
rowing of it to other hands. We are
all members of the same noble profess
sion. Responsibility for its dignity,
its honor and its high service rest up
on us all. If there be those amongst
us who, through Indifference, coward
ice or unpatriotism, are recreant to
their trust as journalists of America
In such a Hateful hour as this, let US
seek to win them back to paths Of pa
triotic courage and devotion by mild
and gentle words or, failing, let us
scourge them with whip Of small cords
from the temple of journalism they
profane.
Ideas, not navies, still rule the seas
Ideas, not armies, yet dominate the
land. 1t is increasingly and ever
true-the whole quotation makes the
meaning clear-that "In the hands Of
men entirely great, the pen Is mightler
than tha sword p"
The ship of state Is upon new and
uncharted sea. Information as to the
voyage, as to the officers and the crew,
is needed. 1t is for US TO supply this
information. 1t Is needed TO steady
and keep in heart those aboard so that
the bunkers may be Hled with coal
and the pantries with food, and that
each may carry on. Constructive crit
icism Of the conduct of the voyage is
needed to see that the helm Is not
shifted wrong nor the course changed
dnder specious plea to an unknown
port far from the desired haven Of
democracy. Enactment of right rules
of travel and obedience thereunto-
nay even the readjustment of the
ships comm0dations-may be neces-
Sary in order that the ship of state
flying colors of freedom may be habit
able for all alike not some UprDetually