Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-14

conservation of our divine inheritance
freedom Of thought and freedom of
speech.
American Civilization.
Little knew the brave and stolid phil
osophers, from the Renaissance period
to Rousseau. how the seed of their
thought would prosper in virgin and fer
tile soil: little they knew that the ex-
preston OF their human aspirations for
equality. brought to new land and
understood by new men. would give
rise to new civilization that will not
be late to blossom. to the American
civilization that even now Is being un-
reservedly cemented on the unmovable
cornerstones of equality and freedom
and harmony and peace.
The initiative of these oratorical con
tests naturally belonged to the freer
institution in the country that crHdled
freedom of speech and politiCSl equal
ity-to the American press. In 1924
the first national competition was held
and so enthusiastic and liberal was the
response Of the youth of this country
and so successful and encouraging It's
results. that. with the foresight and the
generosity that our opponents of true
Notwithstanding organizers and spon-
sors of the altruistic enterprise--aware
of its transcendental importance, under
took the task TO broaden its scope to
an international sphere of action.
So. in 1925, we had the privilege to
listen already. in this same house. to
the able representative Of the youth OF
Canada. England France. Mexico and
the United States. representation which
is tonight enriched by the welcomed ex-
ponents Of Argentina. Cuba and Ger
many. Let us hope that in not dis
tant future this place may become the
assembly home for the free expression
Of the aspirations OF the youth of all
the nations of the world.
Visits to Latin America.
1t has. up to now, been the generous
practice of the organizers of these con-
tests. to finance trip of the individual
winners Of the national contests that
ere held in the countries represented in
the International final proofs through
the United States. Canada and Europe
have been informed that. In view OF
the growing interest and enthusiasm
with which the idea Of these contests Is
being received in Latin American coun-
tries the organizers. wisely advised
have resolved that in the future the
winners Of the national competitions
Will also visit some of the Latin-Amer-
lean countries This is indeed an APP
propriate decision which will enable the
youth of our continent to be acquainted
with the importance of the civilization
of the old world as we'll as the youth Of
Europe to be cognizant Of the physical
beauty and possibilities and Of the spir-
itual potentialities of our American con-
tinant
Time is allotted, and must take nc
more from the contestants But before
retiring to the exercise Of the milder
art so generally believed to be an es-
scntial appurtenance Of diplomacy
silence-I wish to congratulate with
deep heart sincerity the organizers and
sponsors of these contests SO undoub-
teddy beneficial to the promotion OF
international understanding and good
will and. at the same time, to assure
the young competitors that before the
Judgment of the evening is known each
one of them must BIZ consciously certain
that he already has won one OF the
highest victories and honors a man can
attain. to be able sincerely to express
his thoughts to the world and ct the
same time to represent faithfully his
people and his principles.