Evening star., 1926-04-09

The text OF the Presidents speech
follows In full:
Members and Guests Of the National
Press Club:
Gathering here to lay the corner
stone Of a great edifice, which is to
be the home Of the National Press
Club OF Washington, naturally re-
minds us that the press Is one Of the
corner stones of liberty. This principle
Is recognized In the fundamental law
or our country. which guarantees a
full and complete freedom In the pub.
lication and distribution of the truth.
The right to have a fair and com.
plete discussion Of all problems is a
necessary attribute Of free people.
without it the diffusion OF such knowl.
edge as Is necessary TO intelligent &C.
ton In both private and public affairs
would be impossible. Under America n
institutions a corner stone which Is
dedicated TO the press Is likewise dedi.
Gated to the Republic.
Under these circumsta noes the most
desirable results have been secured
The public press of this country is alb
solutely independent. 1t Is doubtful
IL In any other country it has ever
been so successful and so prosperous.
In general, 1t is remarkably clean and
wholesome. Because Of these condi.
tions 1t has come to have a great in.
f1uence. But 1t likewise Is charged
with great responsibilities.
Urges Effort to Inspire.
1t is my firm conviction that the
press OF this country is strong
enough, independent enough, and in.
huential enough. so that it should seek
NOT t0 n a lnu, Il
graded public opinion, but rather to
create noble and inspired public
opinion. II ought to work in harmony
with a great purpose. revealing to the
people the progress Of the develop.
ment OF a Divine power 1t should be
the record OF those mighty events
which mark cotemporary history.
While II is necessary at times TO be
critical. yet II IL to be remembered
that criticism pursued merely for the
sake OF criticism is a barren opera-
tion, leaving no lasting results. True
journalism must go far beyond this
into the f1eld OF constructive effort. 1t
Is only In that direction that there will
be found anything that is of lasting
public benefit.
Any student OF human relations must
come to the conclusion that liberty is
derived from law. The press of our
country is free because the Constitu.
tion guarantees its freedom. II that
provision were struck out from our
fundamental law. the press would not
remain free for an hour. AS an obli.
cation, coupled with the very greatest
self-interest. the press ought always to
stand az supporter Of the Constitu.
tion and as the firmest advocate OF
reign OF law. On that principle there
should be no weakness and no waver-
ing. Ii should advocate resoIutely.
and at all times, the observance and
the enforcement OF the law.
Nationalism Important.
In our domestic affairs an exceed.
inely important principle to observe
Is nationalism. This is all one country.
We ar> all one people. While proper
pride in our own individual locality
is both Slstifiable and helpful, II
ought 10 be remembered that each in.
dividual locality Is what ii is mainly
because 1t is an integral part OF the
whole Nation. But however great NAV
he the accomplishments of that section
in which we happen to live. they can
never be great enough to warrant any
dfsparagement OF any other section.
No part OF our Nation Is so perfect
that it can look with any disdain on
the imperfections Of any other part
and, conversely, all Of our different
areas each have sufficient ADVANTAGES
to commend them to respect. 1t Is
enough to know that all can saw
This Is part of America, - and We
are Americans" Under our institu.
tions all arc equal.