Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-09
PRESS A FACTOR
Jc.r.inued from Page one)

deeianisssn zone of the most important
haa IN bringing about a better
facso., of the several coun-
tries. s,..;.
athat as a result of this Con-
addea. he napers in the United States
gress future will present more
ID alste and more accurate pictures
comps NJ cultural and Industrial pro-
|ol NV ~ Latin American, and that
greS0r ress Of those Republics will
the 20 their readers a better under
|ghea;np of the ideals and purposes
~ st' The United states. xxx
~, all our citizens here do not
nrsalize fully that Latin America
yes progressive as the United
see. and if some Latin Americans,
have been told is the case, are
as 70 feel that this country is
pturssted in material things alone,
mr. n. sure it may be explained by
! aA isck of that knowledge which
sau ,ss from personal contact through
eo meI and by the mutual inadequacy
ua, lows reports of the significant
o. oi.,s and developments in the re-.
snectiye countries
!. r,a Congress, Mr.. Coolidge said,
,an,d result in better compre-
sustain saus that, "after all, we of the
Mas,ern Hemisphere are one people
striving for common purpose, ami
mated by common Ideals, and bound
.assther in a common destiny. Unto
W has been bequeathed the precious
u.ri,age and the high obligation of
aaerslon,ng and consecrating a new
worId TO the great cause Of hu-
mainly
snaaking particularly to the dele
...ss present from other countries,
IT, Coolidge expressed the hope
.hat their visit to this country will
sa beneficial to you by reason of
That you may learn of our general
mode Of life."
IN referring to the ideals and the
,nrnoses Of the Pan American Union
he said the newspapers may do
mich to emphasize and make more
Elective the efforts of this organiza-
ton to bring the United States and
the Latin American Republics into
closer bonds of mutual helpfulness."
Al the laying of the corner stone
~ the National Press Building,
Washington, D. c., April s, 1926, at
1 n, M, President Coolidge spoke as
follows:
Members and Guests Of the National
Gathering here to lay the corner
stone of a great edifice, which is
N he the home of the National Press
Iclub of Washington, naturally re-
minds us that the press is one of the
Il corner stones of liberty. This princi-
nle Is recognized in the fundamental
law Of our country, which guaran-
fees full and complete freedom in
ths. publication and distribution of
tbe truth. The right to have a fair
and complete discussion of all prob
lens is a necessary attribute of 4
free people. Without it the diffusion
of such knowledge az is necessary to
intelligent action in both private
and public affairs would be impossi-
HE Under American institutions a
corner .tone which is dedicated to
the press is likewise dedicated to
the Republic. y
Under these circumstances the
most desirable results have been
secured. The public press OF this
country Is absolutely independent.
II Is doubtful If in any other country
It has ever been so successful and
50 prosperous. In general, it is
remarkably clean and wholesome.
Because of these conditions it has
come to have a great influence. But
It likewise Is charged with great
responsibilities.
It Ia my firm conviction that the
press of this country is strong
enough, independent enough. and in
fuential enough, so that it should
4 seek not to cater to a supposed low
and degraded public opinion, but rath-
er to create a noble and inspired pub
| Lie opinion. It ought to work IN
harmony with a great purpose, re-
vealing to the people the progress
Of the development of a Divine pow
er 1t should be the record of those
mighty events which mark contem-
porary history. While it is neces-
sary at times to be critical. yet 1t
Is to be remembered that criticism
pursued merely for the sake OF
criticism is barren operation.
leaving no lasting results. True
journalism must go far beyond this
into the fed 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 Constitution guarantees its free
dom. II that provision were struck
out from our fundamental law, the
press would not remain free for an
hour. AS an obligation, coupled with
the very greatest self-interest, the
press ought always to stand as
supporter of the Constitution and as
the firmest advocate of a reign OF
law. On that principle there should
oe no weakness and no waverlng.
1t should advocate resolutely, and
az all times, the observance and the
enforcement of the law.
important to Observe
In our domestic affairs an exceed
ihgly important principle to observe
nationalism. This is all one
country. We are all one people.
while a proper pride in our own
Individual locality is both justifiable
and helpful, it ought to be re-
Membered that each individual local.
ny Is what it is mainly because 1t
" an integral part of the whole Ma
.ion. But however great may be the
accomplishments Of that section in
which we happen to live, they can
never be great enough to warrant
any disparagement of any other
section. No part of our Nation Is
90 perfect that it can look with any
uisdain on the imperfections of any
otner part, and, conversely, all of
cur different areas each have suffi-
.eht advantages to commend them
70 respect. 1t is enough to know
mat all can say This is a part OF
america and 1--WE are Americans
onder our institutions all are equal.
me same reasons which make
.gsalenable any effort to array sec
uvn against section apply to any
SSlempt to array class against class.
.NUTTect1V irO l. M CaN-