Memo To: Newspaper Editors, Freedom Fry Munchers, 'Hate Speech' Nazis, The British Government, Boomers

I found America. You won't believe where! America was hiding out in 1935 South Dakota. Perhaps with a little coaxing, we can convince America to come back to 2009. We need her.

I must say, it is really impressive to see how much wisdom there was on just a single page of a small town South Dakota newspaper in 1935. First, in the Open Forum (letters to the editor section) there is a quote by a famous Frenchman:

"I do not agree with a word that you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"

VOLTAIRE (1694 - 1778)

There is something so familiar about that quote... defending the right to say what you want, to have a right to speak one's mind, to speak freely, to have the freedom to voice one's opinion... nope - just can't put my finger on it.

Perhaps there is a clue in the dates, the period of time in which Voltaire lived: 1694 to 1778. Didn't something else happen in the 1700's? Closer to 1778, if I am not mistaken?

Maybe not. I mean Voltaire was French. What could the French possibly have to do with America? It's not like they ever did anything for us, right?

Anyway, I found a quite remarkable description of the purpose of a newspaper:

The newspaper that would serve best must first of all, publish the news truthfully, interestingly and fairly, with neither fear nor favor. That the people might know and judge. To the best of its ability it must lead and inspire leadership toward improvement and progress. If this means battle, it must ever be ready to do battle But it must fight fairly, always with a willingness to act as a forum open to all opinion.

As it goes into the home, it must enter as a gentleman that it might deserve the respect and confidence of all of its readers.

As a guest bringing in interesting information and valued guidance, It should also brighten its visit by furnishing cheer and entertainment. As it seeks influence, it must also accept responsibility. It must be a newspaper for today, published with a constant thought for tomorrow.

RH

RE-EMPLOYMENT REALISM - The More Things Change...

RE-EMPLOYMENT REALISM

Christian Science Monitor

President Roosevelt's radio address Thursday night expressed more of a conservative attitude toward the relief problem in the United States than he has yet voiced. In this respect, so far as the words are borne out by action, the present attack on the question of re-employment should be more satisfying and reassuring to those who believe the nation should get quickly back to reliance on private rather than governmental methods.

The points in which Mr. Roosevelt indicated this change of direction, or rather change of emphasis, toward retrenchment were these:

• He hailed the increase of employment in private industry by 350,000 in September, bringing the total gain, to 5,000,000 since the bottom of the depression.
  


• He hoped that the necessities of government relief furnished by funds received by taxation should decrease as rapidly as human needs will allow.
  


• He appealed for greater support of local and private
  charities to assist in making it possible to turn back the care of the needy to the states and to these organizations.
  


• He stressed the word "work" and added, "Neither private charity nor government relief wants to continue to help people who can work but won't work."
  

These all represent commendable purposes. Private business deserves a continued "breathing spell" from political heckling in order to show what it can do in keeping the recovery
ball rolling. Every bit of taxation that can be reduced or avoided by lightening the relief load will help in this process.

A measurable return of local, neighborly and personal responsibility for the legitimate demands, of charitable aid will be far better than a continued drift into the easy and lazy courses of governmental paternalism.

Sternness must be judiciously mingled with humaneness, but in the long run it has to be remembered that only work produces goods and only the willingness to work merits their enjoyment.

Evening Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, October 31, 1935 - Editorial Page

RH

P.S. In 1935 the country is still right smack in the middle of the Great Depression.