The native American., 1839-01-12
From the Mobile Examiner.
THE DUTY OF THE PRESS

Those who conduct the newspaper press of this
country, have, at time like this, very important
duties to perform. They stand in station OF
great responsibility towards their citizens,
and it will depend upon the manner in IS hich they
fulfill their obligations whether they deserve the
applause or execration of the public. We are in
| a time of great party excltement-when men are
warmly engaged in pulling down and setting up
men, and destroying and rebuilding political sys-
TENS Assuming, what we have right o
question: that both are lab ring for the welfare of
the people although they differ to the means
best adapted for the attainment Of the end the dn-
ty OF the press is mos: obvious. lis sole business
should be fair and candid discussion Of the pTin
ciples involved in the controversy, and OF the con-
sequences of those principles upon society; it
should strive neither TO lead nor mis!ead, but mere-
Ily to enghten the popular mind, that the ultimate
decision Of the public may much as possible aP-
proximate to the truth. Ifthose no direct the
press would for moment reflect on their position
in society we feel assured that many things which
have Of late years tended TO the degradation of
newspapers, until they have become the mere re-
hices of personal abuse and unmeanng slang,
would be at once repudiate'; and their sheets in
stead Of meriting thorough contempt. which they
now receive from all parties, would rise at once
into respect and be really, what they ought
always to have been, the best possible means of
conveying instruction to the people.
Editors of newspapers are, or ought to be intel
ligent honorable gentlemen, and their own self-
respect should preserve them from many of those
abuses Of their position, which have so unfnrtnn-
ately become SO common TO any man Of sense
temperate and well written dsquislion upon
thosesubects interesting tothe people even though
it oppose his own opinions, Is far more pleasing
and satisfactory than abuse, Misrepresentation, or
quibbing can be, although the design should be to
promote his own party views. And unless edi-
tors forever dscaim all title to the respect Of the
'respec,abty, for the purpose of securing the ap.
plause OF the ignorant and vicious, who form the
noisest portion of every party, it seems to us that
they should, in general, seriously think of chang
| ing their course. But admitting that the great
body Of them utterly destitute of any other
ambition than to secure party triumph, they do
not now use the most proper means to effect this
purpose. The people of this country are essen
tally intelligent. If they are led as:ray for
time, by unmeaning camor, or gross misre-
presentations they will in the end discover the
fraud and punish the perpetrator. No party can
long triumph unless its political tenets clearly
understood and honorably appreciated by the peo-
,le. BY great and combined eff,rt delusicns
!; ire spread for time, and may answer the tempo
; :ary purpose Of pitiful ambition; but they cannot
Z. asst long. The reaction is certain:
'.Truth crushed, to earth will rise again,
lie eternal years of God are hers;'
and when she does rise, after temporary pros.
tration, wo unto those that have assailed her!-
Even mere party spirit, therefore, if directed by
common sense, should lead the conductors of the
newspaper press to discuss principles rather than
attack men; and to enlighten the public mind in
stead of laboring to increase the number of their
part:zans right or wrong. The people look to
them for information, and turn disguised away, at
The fasehoods and contradictions with which they
TEEN. For reason, they give us puere verbosity;
for fact, they treat to fiction; and for fair des-
crpion of public men and measures the foulest
.buse and grossest Misrepresentation. The thing
needs reform-speedy, thorough reform-or both
newspapers and their conductors will be excluded
from society. 1t is the duty Of the respectable
portion Of the profession 10 look to it-and see |
whether some remedy may not be found. -
fnr H,,jron hOE;0 The follnminn racipA