Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-04-09

II may Tame part Ill oOlillllASlS4 ms III
ternational justice because it affects
u.s."
The reservations laid down as a con-
dition Of adherence to the world court,
the president asserted, adequately
safeguard American rights and also
tend to strengthen the independence
of the country"
About World Court.
Our government" he added has
taken this step because it believed
that it was the most practical method
by which it could exercise its great
influence in establishing the principle
of a reign of international law under
which disputes and differences would
be adjusted, not by force but by rea-
SON.
AS to armament litigation, he said
the American government was seek
ing it by "the only practical method"
but added that it could not be accom-
plished without IAN intellectual and
moral disarmament
Appealing for a spirit of liberation,
the president said that race hatred,
class feeling, religious persecution,
however, these may be exhibited,
whether under form of law or
through the force of public opinion or
even in defiance of law, have no JUS
tification in reason and are disastrous
in their consequences"
President Coolidge spoke as follows:
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 reminds us
that the press is one of the corner
stones of liberty. This principle is
recognized in the fundamental law of
our country, which guarantees a full
and complete freedom in the publica-
tion and distribution of the truth. The
right to have a fair and complete dis
cussion of all problems is al necessary
attribute of a free people. Without
it the diffusion of such knowledge as
is necessary to intelligent action in
both private and public affairs would
be impossible. Under American in
stitutions corner stone which is ded-
icated to the press is likewise dedi-
Gated to the republic.
Under these circumstances the most
desirable results have been secured.
The public press of this country is abb
solutely Independent. 1t is doubtful
if in any country it has ever been so
successful and so prosperous. In gem
eral, it is remarkably clean and whole
some. Because of these conditions it
has come to have great Influence.
But it likewise is charged with great
responsibilities.
Press Is Strong.
1t is my firm conviction that the
press of this country is strong enough,
independent enough, and influential
enough, SO that it should seek not to
cater to a supposed low and degraded
public opinion, but rather to create
noble and inspired public opinion. 1t
ought to work in harmony with
great purpose, revealing to the people
the progress of the development of
Divine power. 1t should be the record
of those mighty events which mark
contemporary history. While it is
necessary at times to be critical, yet
it is to be remembered that criticism
pursued merely for the sake of criti-
cism is a barren operation, leaving no
lasting results. True journalism must
go far beyond this into the field of
constructive effort. 1t is only in that
direction that there will be found any,
thing 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 constltu-
tion guarantees its freedom. If 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 as a supporter of the consti-
tuition and as the firmest advocate of
a reign of law On that principle there
should be no weakness and no waver-
ing 1t should advocate resolutely,
and at all times, the observance and
the enforcement of the law.
In our domestic affairs an exceed
ingIy important principle to observe in
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 remembered that each individual
locality is what it is mainly because
tion. 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 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 tosknow that all can say "This
is a part of America" and 1--WE ara
Americans" Under our institutions
all are equal.
Have No Sections.
The same reasons which make un-
tenable any effort to array section
against section apply to any attempt
to array class against class. Correct
1y speaking, we have no sections and
we have no classes. The same unity
that applies to our territory applies
with even more force to our popula-
ton. The apparent differences of To-
cation race, and customs are not real
but artificial. No lasting progress