In the regulation of human thought, as presented through instruction or
entertainment in the motion pictures, books or newspapers, we have an
entirely different problem. It is too dangerous to tamper with in any
governmental, regulative, arbitrary way. To attempt it is to court the
greater evils of bigotry and fanaticism, of racial, religious and class
prejudices, of hatreds and tyrannies.
I would a thousand times rather see civilization subjected to all the
dangers which may lurk in an entirely, unregulated and uncensored
press, or of books, plays or motion pictures, than to risk the
far greater evils of arbitrary, forcible, governmental censorship
regulation.
=There are no committees of people on earth who have any such super
wisdom or right to exercise any such power, no matter how commendable
its purpose may be.=
No, my friends, those who propose such remedies are honest but
mistaken. I wish they could all be convinced. I know their purposes are
good. I wish they would join the multitude of constructive fathers,
mothers, preachers, teachers, business men and citizens, through the
work of the home, school, church and press, enlisting, as I believe we
can, the cooperation and help of those who produce and distribute the
movies themselves, to get bigger, better and cleaner pictures.
Decorating the walls of this room, we have held up to us a picture
of the crusader, St. George, in pursuit of the Dragon. It is an
interesting poster. I have seen it held up to children and parents
in Sunday-schools and churches. It has for us a great lesson. But I
sometimes wonder if it is understood. In this picture, St. George is
clad in armor.