Evening star., 1925-01-18

expansion of liberties, the widening
of culture. OF course, the accumula-
ton of wealth cannot be justified as
the chief end of existence. But we
are compelled to recognize it as a
means to well nigh every desirable
achievement. SO long as wealth is
made the means and not the end, we
need not greatly fear it. And there
never was time when wealth was so
generally regarded as a means, or so
little regarded as an end as today.
Says Wealthy Serve.
Just a little time ago we read in
your newspapers that two leaders of
American business, whose efforts at
accumulation had been most astonish-
ingly successful. had given fifty or
sixty million dollars as endowments
to educational works. That was real
news. 1t was characteristic of our
American experience with men of
large resources. They use their
power to serve. not themselves and
their own families. but the public.
| feel sure that the coming genera
tions, which will benefit by those en-
dowments, will not be easily con-
vinced that they have suffered
greatly because of these particular
accumula tions of wealth.
$50 there is little cause for the fear
that our journalism, merely because
II is prosperous, is likely to betray
us. But it calls for additional effort
to avoid even the appearance of the
evil of selfishness. In every worthy
profession, of course, there Will
always be a minority who will appeal
to the baSer instinct. There always
have been, and probably always will
be some who will feel that their own
temporary interest may be furthered
by hetraying the interest of others
But these are becoming constantly \
less numerous and less potential ele-
ment in the community. Their influ-
ence, whatever it may seem at a par
ticular moment. is always ephemeraI
They Will not long interfere with the
progress of the race which is deter
mined to go its own forward and
way. They may at times
somewhat retard and delay its prog
resS, but in the end their opposition
VIII be overcome. They have no per-
manent effect. They accomplish no
permanent result. The race is not
travelling in that direction. The
power of the spirit always prevails
over the power of the flesh These
furnish us no justification for inter
fering with the eedom OF the press,
because all freedom, though it may
tend toward excesses. bears
within il those remedies which will
finally effect a cure for it's own dis
orders.
Says United states Papers Best.
American newspapers have seemed
to me to be particularly representa-
tive of this practical idealism of our
people. Therefore, / feel secure In
saying that they are the best news
papers in the world. | believe that
they print more real news and more
reliable and characteristic news than
any other newspaper. l believe their
editorial opinions are less coIored in
influence by m ere partisanship or self
ish interest, than are those of any
other country. Moreover, 1 believe
that our American press is more inde-
pendent, more reliable and less parti-
san today than at any other time in
its history. / believe this of our
press, precisely as L believe it of those
who manage our public affairs. Both
are cleaner, finer less influenced by
improper considerations than ever
before. Whoever disagrees with this
judgment must take the chance of
himself as ignorant of con-
ditions which notoriously affected our
public life, thoughts and methods
even within the memory of many men
who are still among US.
1T can safely be assumed that self
interest will always place sufficient
on the business side of
newspapers so that they do not need
any outside encouragement for that
part Of their activities. Important,
however. as this factor is, it is not
the main element which appeals TO
the American people. I is only those
why do not understand our people
who believe that our national life is
entirely absorbed by material motives.
We make no concealment of the fact
that we ant wealth, but there are
many other things that We want very
much more. We want peace and
honor, and that charity which is so
strong an element of all civilization.
The chief ideal of the American peo-
pie is idealsm. l cannot repeat too
often that America is a nation of
idealIsts. That is the only motive to
which they ever give any strong and
lasting reaction. No newspaper can
be a success which fails to appeal to
that element of our national life. 1t
is in this direction that the public
press can lend its strongest support
to our Government. | could not truly
criticize the vast Importance of the
counting room, but my ultimate faith
l would place in the high idealism of
the editorial room of the American
Introduced BY YOst.
President Coolidge was introduced
by Caspar S. Yost, editor of the ST
Louis Globe Democrat, president of
the society. Expressing the pride of
the membership of the society in
having the President address it, Mr..
Yost presented him by saying, May
the God whom we revere ever guide
him"
The Episcopal Bishop of Washing
ton, Rev. James A. Freeman, offered
prayer. andS the others who spoke
were James. Melvin Lee of the Editor
and Publisher, Walter Lippman of
the New York World and Glenn
Frank, editor of the Century Maya
zine.
There were more than 250 men
about the tables in the dining hall.
more than three-fifths of whom were
editors of newspapers. Among the
more prominent guests were Everett
Sanders, representative from Indiana.
who has been selected by President
Coolidge to succeed c. Bascom Slemp
as his secretary when the latter re-
tires shortly; Herbert Hoover, Sec
retary of Commerce; Senators Capper.
Mccormick, Illinois: Couzens,
Michigan; Howell, Nebraska and
HarreId, Oklahoma, and Representa-
tives Longworth of Ohio, Madden and
Britten of Illinois.
The President was given a hearty
ha hn -
and frequently during the
course of his remarks he was an
plauded. At the conclusion of his
speech the President was cheered
loudly.
Mr. Lees remarks were confined to