Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-07-28
Many Opportunities for Newspa-
pers Large and Small to Aid
Nation in Present War.
REPORT news TO THE PEOPLE
Free journalism in Europe for Past
Century, UncoIored by Government
Influence, Would Have Prevented
Conflict, Says Dean Williams.

Democracy" was read by Walter Will
lams, dean of the School of Journal
ism of the University of Missouri at
the annual meeting of the Nebraska
Press association:
A great nation girds on its armor
For what purpose and to what end?
That the world may be made safe for
democracy, that there may be just and
lasting peace. Neither the armor nor
the manner Of Its girdng nor its use
Is In itself an end We are not In this
hideous war for wars sake We are
in it for the sake of peace-peace and
democracy.
What Is democracy? Just now many
new definitions appear. Autocracy, be-
coming unpopular under its old name,
seeks continuance by redefining democ-
racy as the rule of the few, the tyr
amy ostensibly or really benevolent of
groups of men to whom education or
inheritance or position or the machin-
cry of government gives accidental ad-
vantage. Indeed, the definitions of
democracy are almost as numerous as
those who profess to be democrats
and who do not follow their own pro-
fession.
Let me take for the purpose of this
hour the best definition that | recall.
1t is that of Pasteur the eminent
French scientist, a tanners son. "The
true democracy" he said, SIS that which
permits each individual to put forth
his maximum effort" To translate 1t
yet further into the speech of the
common folk, the true democracy Sc
cures to every man chance to make
the best of himself. 1t recognizes the
equal moral worth of every man. To
give practical effect to democracy thus
defined governments are Instituted
among men not as ends In themselves
but as means to an end-tO insure to
each man everywhere life, liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness, the attain
ment of the fullest individual develop
ment In a social state.
But how may journalism In this
present hour of opportunity serve the
cause of true democracy?
Give People News.
First, by the service of information.
Even in war time the public opinion
of a democratic country is the only
ultimate power. All else is delegated
authority. The kind and character OF
this public opinion depends to large
degree upon the press, the moral eff
cacy of the general feeling and judg-
ment which the newspapers do most
to form. For the formation of public
opinion information is needed. The
newspaper, which while not all of jour
nalism affords its largest medium OF
expression, must continue to be
newspaper. This is not now the presi-
dents war nor the war of congress
1t is the peoples war-or 1t ought not
to be war at all. To make 1t the
peoples war the people must know
the news about the war. To make 1t
a popular war the Imagination must
be stirred as it has not yet been
stirred-stirred by the news of the
ideas In combat, by the news of the in
dividuals In strife. To the intellec-
tual assent which the American people
have given there must be added the
approval of the heart. The taxpayer
will wish to know about the expendi-
ture of his money. The mother will
wish to know about her boy. Journal
ism may serve by merely recording
things as they are. Accurate informa-
ton must be given of course. Con
fused and misleading impressions re-
garding facts must be avoided. Moth
ing that will give aid or comfort to
the enemy should appear in print The
same fairness and accuracy of state
ment, the same freedom from preju,
dice and distortion should character.
ize publication of information in war
time as In the days of peace. That
it is more difficult does not make 1t any
less necessary. But the news must ap-
pear The uniformed men abroad
fighting the battles Of democracy
should have the support of Informed
not uniformed, men at home. Indeed
they cannot be supported otherwise
This war Is no game Of blindman's
buff. The first service of journalism
In the present hour Is the service I'M
to all the people of information. Here
unto democracy journalism is the first
line of defense.
The second service of journalism in
this grim hour is the service of exhor
tation. In an age on ages telling, at
a time when the passions run high or
depression comes, it is difficult to be
calm and sane, to see things clear and
TO see them whole, to have courage
and enthusiasm. Journalism has the
opportunity of encouragement. 1t
may by Misrepresentation and edito
rial page promote calmness and cour
age. 1t may be a bulwark against
hysteria. 1t may keep the wheels of
business going round so that we shall
have economic strength to bear the
burdens that rest upon the shoulders
Of Uncle Sam. Speed up, we will say.
This exhortation should be found upon