Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1915 — Speech of a Statesman. [ARTICLE]

Speech of a Statesman.

At the annual dinner of the republican editors in Indianapolis ast week Hon. Will H. Hays, chairman of the republican state committee; made an address that puts him in the class of the Hoosier statesmen, and confirms our prevously expressed opinion that he is the man the republicans should name and the people elect as the next United States senator frdm Indiana. His address was to some extent omplimentary of the work of republican editors during the last campaign and he expressed limsielf as a great (believer in “the power of the press,” saying that ibe individual of the institution that does not recognize the fact is unaware of the influences that control the present- He then followed with the statement that the country is controlled by public opinion and that the press is the supreme agency in formulating opinon. He said: “Its freedom is as vital for the preservation of our institutions as air is to life. Perverted, it would have more potentiality for political evil than all other influences combined, but ‘standing on the heights, fighting for humanity, the newspapers of the country are the nation’s greatest benefaction. Great, great power is yours, men; use it well. To him that mu'h is given, much is required. By our opportunities are our responsibilities measured. It is the ‘fiat of fate,’ and if there is any advice that I would like to give to the editors of the state and nation, republican, independent and democratic, which, if followed, would in my opinion carry them farthest toward the full discharge of their high duty, it js that they advocate republican principles all of the time.” IMr- Hays paid high tribute to William McKinley and to William Penn Nixon, who as editor of the Chicago Inter-Ocean preached the doctrine of protection so earnestlyHe quoted McKinley as saying that Mr. Nixon did more than any other agency to make him president of the United States. In every'respect Mir. Hays’ address was patriotic, forward looking and brilliant It was the address of a statesman. We believe he is the man for the United States senate.