River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1924-06-19
1924 Is 5Oth
Anniversary of
Chautauqua
Movement

This year Is the fiftieth anniversary
Of the founding of Chautauqua. Among
the very interesting and important
contributions to It's tribute are col
lection Of letters in the hands of DIR.
Paul M. Pearson Of Swarthmore, Pa,
president of the International Lyceum
and Chautauqua association. A few
paragraphs taken here and there from
them are reproduced:
Col. d. NJ. House writes from Lon
don't has taken patience, 1t has
taken wisdom and, above all, 1t has
taken courage to stand for the truth
when passion and prejudice have run
riot throughout the world. That, /
believe has been its most potential
service to our people, and that should
be its unyieIding purpose In the fu-
ture"
Edward A. Filene of New York;
am glad to be with you in spirit on
this fiftieth anniversary Of the finest
ChautauQua assembly to testify, with
many others, to the splendid ideal
which this distinctly American move
ment embOdles. The Chautauqua and
Lyceum have added much to the In
tellectual life of our country. They
have made 1t possible for busy peo-
pie, whose DAYS are occupied with
their daily work, to learn something
OF the great national and world ques-
lions that are vexing every thoughtful
person, by providing platform from
which distinguished men and women,
not only Of the United States, but
from foreign countries, can present
their message to us"
Charles Il. Hughes, Secretary of
State please accept my hearty con-
gratulations upon the fftieth ami
versary Of the first Chautauqua as
sembly. As the maintenance Of the In
situations of the Republic depend upon
the intelligence and constant vigilance
OF the well-informed electorate, there
Is no more Important service than that
of our educational institutions. and J
count among these not simply our
schools and colleges but those under
tadngs Of the platform which provide
information, intelligent criticism and
needed stimulus to thought and action.
The ChautauQua movement has been
one of the most influential of our dem
ocratic endeavors, and l wish for Its
continued success"
wish / might be present to assist In
the commemoration of half century
Of Chautauqua life in the world. What
useful, noble movement 1t has been.
And how fine 1t is that 1t was so well
built that 1t could successfully carry
on after the inspiring personality Of
its great founder was withdrawn. How
fine 1t Is also that 1t has today so much
larger and more widespread influence
than even its far-visioned founder
dreamed May double portion of his
spirit always remain In the great
movement and upon those who through
the years preserve 1t for the common
good"
Prof. q. A. Ross, University Of Wis
consin.-"Biore than ever the preser-
walton of American democracy calls
for the Lyceum and Chautauqua. Ow-
ing to the fact that In half century
the contribution of advertisers to the
receipts Of newspapers has grown
from A per cent to 70 per cent, the
new spapers generally are becoming
less loyal to the people and more sub
servient to the interests from whom
they hope for advertising. That ca
Iamiteous depreciation Of the printed
work makes the spoken word more and
more the vital factor in the formation
Of the public opinion. Then, long live
the free platform afforded by the
Chautauqua and Lyceum.'