Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-17
Hoover at Kings Mountain
ArOuses Debate on Policies

| President Hoover's address at the an
niversary celebration of the battle of
Kings Mountain in North Carolina, COM
| ing as a climax in a series of speeches,
has aroused widespread comment on the
spirit OF those early patriots who fought
for freedom. 1t has also brought forth
discussion of the danger of efforts of
radicalism as distinguished from genu-
Inc battles for freedom. There is some
expression of dissent, however, from his
proclamation of the superiority of Amer
lean achievements.
Mr.. Hoover turns to o consideration
of the Constitution and American insti-
tutions," says the Manchester Union,
land utters a warning that they must
be protected from foreign influences,
which would mean destruction of the
driving forces of equal opportunity Not
that he overlooks the necessity of guard
ing against the domination of the coun-
try by selfish interests that also would
mean destruction of equality of oppor-
tunity. There must be, he declares, no
abandonment OF the Nations spiritual
heritage"
Kings Mountain, according to the Erie
Dispatch Herald lis the perfect example
of the armed freeman springing to the
defense of his soil, but as an example it
cannot be taken as indicating the In
evitable outcome of such springing.
These were unusual freemef1. = = y
They had gone to the frontiers to open
up new lands and make new States
They were far from the reach of gov
eminent and had to make their own.
They were indtvidualists, each Injured
to hardship and hazard" The Dis
patch Herald finds significance in the
fact that "the President journeyed to
the scene and the British Ambassador
was present to dedicate a tablet to
Ferguson, the fallen leader Of the
fight"
The Charlotte Observer emphasizes
the fact that the President gave COM
plete recognition to the importance of
the battle of Kings Mountain in the
struggle OF the American Colonists for
freedom" and concludes: Void of
political significance, the address was
permeated with spirit of optimism and
might accurately be termed a clarion
call to the people of America, millions
Of whom doubtless heard it and millions
of whom will read it, to uphold and
safeguard the true spirit of America
and refrain from undermining its insti-
notwithstanding and impress
sively superior to those of any other
nation. 1t was a fine example of the
patriotic inSpirational talk"
Mr.. Hoover's plain recital of the fact
that in spite of all its troubles, real and
imaginary, this country today is in a
Singularly fortunate situation from
most standpoints," thinks the Detroit
Free Press, comes from the head of
the Nation in good time. 1t is well for
the country to think about it's blessings
a little instead of dwelling persistently
on its woes" Recalling that devoted
generations have upheld our institu-
TONS" and asserting that I'VE shall not
change them to experiment with
foreign ideas" the Seattle Daily Times
advises that those who profess to adj
mire foreign political or economic sys-
TENS should compare what we have &C
complished in $50 years with the record
made in other countries"
But there Is nothing automatic
about the American system" warns the
Chicago Daily News. There are forces
at work which, II not combated and de-
feated, threaten to undermine It, Mr.
Hoover mentioned some OF these de-
structive forceS-corrupt and self1sh
politics. tyranny and bureaucracy In
Government greed in business. the
tendency to tolerate special privilege,
indifference and apathy among well
intentioned citizens, aggressive militia
rism and thoughtless pacifism. There
may be foreign agencies that entertain
hostile designs against the American
system, but, as Mr.. Hoover reminded
the Nation, the real dangers lie in our
own house.. It remains for American
patriots to oppose and cast out insidi-
Gus Influences which, under changing
conditions, tend to nuIlify the basic
principles of the true American system
while paying 1t the empty tributes of
lip service. 7"
A protest that "the trend has been
away fffn government by the people
10 Cove ment BY specialists and~afa-