The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-03-15
4 Maker of History

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Few men would have dared to make that chal
lenge to posterity which Edward w. Scripps, dying
aboard his yacht off the coast of Africa, embodied
In his order that his body be consigned to the waves
Only man who had built for the ages-or one
who had done so little that wasted years rebuked
hin-would have the courage to forego the custo-
mary marble shaft appeal to remembrance by
those to come
Most men pitifully seek in their final hour for
some material grasp upon the world they are about
to leave ndestructible monument to their
memory, some permanent link with life.
Only who have helped to make history and
have succeeded afford to dispense with these or
binary customs and methods
Edward Wyllis Scripps of the giants
of journalism, the last OF generation Of great men
who gave direction to the greatest force In CIV
ilization.
1t may be said in all truth that no other man
left great impress upon the profession he en-
braced as did Mr.. Scripps.
His genius publisher led him to establish
papers from coast to coast. But that was not his
triumph and no measure of his greatness
1t he who made independent journalism pos
sible and made it necessary for all newspapers,
which hope to retain influence, to cast aside Sc
cret shackles, partisan prejudces, biased policies.
He was the pioneer into the field of truth at a
time when newspapers often distorted and sup
pressed
He the first publisher to grasp the great
truth that the Nation is greater than political par
ties, that the welfare Of the people is above the
prosperity Of the few.
He the first to put into the printed page
of the daily newspaper the firm faith that the peo-
pie able to rule themselves, and that to govern
with success, they possess the facts be led
by fervid appeals to their prejudices.
When youth, he started his first newspaper
in Cleveland, he dedicated it to the who had
other voice for his opinions
Other newspapers proudly labeled themselves as
the organs of political parties. To them the one
purpose the grip of public office for their par
ties. Their readers expected these partisan papers
to disort suppress the truth II that truth hurt
the chances struck at the hopes of the politicians
they served.
His made him, in fact, the editor Of his
competitor papers For the people indicated by
their support that they desired truth and welcomed It,
The party organ has almost disappeared. The
few newspapers which still blindly proclaim their
servitude to political organizations become each year
a smaller group and of even less Importance.
The growing power of the people over their
own affairs, the increase Of independent thought
and Independent voting, the triumph popular gov
eminent much to this man.
Three generations of grateful people pay IN
conscious tribute to his memory they rejoice in
greater liberty For he dedicated his life and his
papers to the cause Of liberty and real freedom
Did tyranny attempt to suppress free speech in
part of this land his voice raised in protest
Whenever and wherever prejudice and oppres-
sion showed their menacing heads, he challenge
and battle.
Whatever effort made to raise the stand
ard of living of education, of happier childhood had
his support and the encouragement of his columns
He needs no monument to perpetuate his name
His is built into the daily lives of his fellow ci
and in the institutions which make for liberty
and freedom.
The man passes, but things he wrought remain.
The causes which he championed and for which
he fought live again and again. generations
seize the torch he held valianty throughout his
active years.
The man who made so great contribution to
the history of the land he loved whose impress upon
his times was so deep, might we'll smile as he
peered through the mystic portals to new field
and repeat with the psalmist ooh DEATH where Is thy
sting? Oh grave. where is thy victory"