Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-09

auences. They dwarf and aestrov
nose who permit themselves to
., under the domination of these
oIunes. Ioieration is not a passive
ses,.;r IL Goes not mean simply re-
81 the Dement'S of the tolerance
10 others. 1t is distinctly an act;,.e
quality which means bestowin, ,ner
others and thereby receiving ON
serves the benefits of our own to,er-
ance. "ii 'oier-
Constructive Effort
NO one can criticize Journalistic
eHorts directed to the promotion of
particular interests, but all that can
pe zone without raising bitter ar
.asonlsms against other interests. II
Is impossible to think of noIit;oa !
partles in these days without the SIM
port of sympathetic press II
seems TO me that in this field esnec-
iaHy the chief requirement will al
ways De tor constructive effort. Rank
partlsanship very quickly falls into a
distortion or complete missta tement
oI the 1acts, accompanied by argu-
lnents which lead to illogical and un-
SOUND conclusions. A very cursorv
perusal Of our history would con.
vince anyone that in the past there
mas been sufficient good in both our
pontlcal parties, especially when they
nave been In power, to require a large
amount of printers ink in its nor
travail. 1t is improbable that a very
simllar condition does not exist at
the present time. It would be much
more helpful to suggest what ought
! to be done than merely to find fault
with what is being DONE It is very
difficult to reconcile a narrow and
oltter craftsmanship with real patriot
ism.
In the field Of our foreign relations
| the attitude Of the press becomes of
very great Importance. The number
OF our people who learn Of foreign
countries by actual contact with them
IS comparatively very small. Even
then, such knowledge probably re-
lateS to only one or two countries.
What the people of our country as a
| whole know Of contemporary actions
OF other countries is gained entirely
from the public prints. OF course. the
press Is justified in placing the very
highest estimation upon America. No
one Should complain because our
Journalists represent our country as
| having the best of institutions. They
are the best for US. But this does
not require that oher countries and
other institutions should be dis
| paraged.
One of the very gravest responsible
llties OF the Government is the crea-
ton and preservation of friendly re-
| lations with all foreign countries
One reason for this is our foreign
| trade. 1t is true that we have the
natural resources to make ourselves
very nearly self-sustaining, but new
ertheless our commerce with other
| nations in what we buy and sell is
very large and very important, both
in the promotion of our material
prosperity and as an enormous en-
tightening and civilizing influence.
! Undoubtedly trade will go to a large
| extent where it can secure the great
est advantage. but 1t is Influenced in
no small degree by good will.
international Friendship
/ International friendship and good
will are of very large money value.
They can not be promoted by mis-
representation and caricature Of for
eign people. The cultivation also of
such an attitude of mind on the part
| of our people is an exhibition of hos
fifty. 1t is sowing the seeds Of war.
| We ought to realize that other ma
tons have their rights and are justi-
fed in promoting their interests by all
fair means. We can not cultivate the
arts of peace by entertaining emo
lions of suspicion. disrust, and hatred.
| We cannot be a great people by
| yielding such unworthy sentiments.
We ought to rise above that and be
ready to attribute the same good faith
and fair motives to other govern
ments and other peoples which we
claim for ourselves. No basis for har-
mony, tranquility, honorable dealing,
and peace has ever been better eX
pressed than that which is contained
in the golden rule.
| Without a friendly attitude of mind
on the part of our people, which can
/ be very largely advanced by the ac-
ton Of the press, all effort on the
part of the Government to maintain
harm onious international relations
will be of little avail. OF course the
most worthy intentions, the best of
| sentiments, the highest ideals are not
themselves sufficient. They must be
| accompanied by proper instruments
and institutions. 1t is useless to love
| liberty unless we establish laws. IT
| is futile to cherish justice unless we
provide courts. Our country has
lately recognized this important prin-
ciple by signifying it's determination
| to promote international justice by
adhering to the World Court. This
| has been done under reservations
which adequately safeguard Ameri-
can rights and also tend to strengthen
! the independence of the court. Our
Government has taken this step be-
cause it believed that it was the most
practical method by which it could
| exercise it's great influence in estab-
fishing the principle of reign Of in
! ternational law under which dis
putes and differences would be adj
! justed. not by force but by reason.
| We ought to be ready to assume that
| in undertaking to discharge this same
| obligation other countries have been
animated by the same motives which
have inspired us.
While we have clearly declared our
wish to assist in promoting justice
among nations. we have just as clear
! ly declared our intention to refrain
from interfering in the political af-
| fairs Of others by refusing to adhere
to the League of Nations. It will be
| of great benefit, if the people can be
| informed that we take part in adj
ministering international justice be-
cause it affects us. We do not be-
come involved in the political contro-
yersies Of other countries because
they are none of our affair.
We are likewise seeking, by what
appears at the present time the only
! practical method, to promote inter-
national limitation of ornaments. IL
has often been suggested that before
land and naval forces can be reduced
there must be an intellectual and
moral disarmament. OF course, this
is true. So long as there is enmity
toward each other in the hearts of
different peoples, it is useless to ex-
- .:.a,,.> o,,oo+ To craafe q bpt-