Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-06-10
FOR THE HERALD,

FOR THE HERALD.
beg leave TO occupy a corner Of your paper
to say a word or two in relation to a subject
which believe calls loudly for reform---I mean
the shameful and scandalous manner which the
Madison and eastern papers of this Territory
take to abuse each other, and not only each
other, but great many private individuals.
am now, and bave been for the last three
years, a subscriber. and paying subscriber
too. to some of them, and am sick and tired
of the slang and scurrility made use OF, to the
exclusion Of such other matter as we pay for,
and expect 10 get. don't wish to hear two
men. even if they are captains of newspapers,
or editors, relate their miserable petty grevan-
ces; neither do believe il shows mans mag.
nanimity 10 call this man or that man, "liar,
"scoundrel," "villain," "stupid," "rogue,"
"knaye," or STOOL" let his conduct be what 1t
NAV. Il is not such articles as these, that
make newspaper interesting. useful, or IN
structive. Neither do believe that such artl-
cles as these, suit the taste of the community
in general. am certain that have never, on
any occasion, heard single man uphold this
course. Let any candid man. who is unbas-
sed by prejudice, read the articles used in the
war between the three Madison papers; what
will he .Sink of the men wac conduct them'
Why, that they are low blackguards. Now
know two of these editors, and they. as pri-
va,e individuals. are gentlemen. They would
scorn TO descend to the billingsgate that they
make use of in print. l believe neither of them
would dare to talk TO the other in private, as
they write to him, and publish it to the world.
BY what rule they act npon, TO moralize
what is immoral, by the mere act OF publish
ing il In a newspaper, | am unable to see.
SANDER, have always been taught, is SANDER.
10, /, be promulgated in whatsoever manner it
may; and believe the slanderer is now look
ed upon as tie greatest villain. We hear much
said of the "power of the Press,,' "the liberty
of The Press" and the "inhuence Of newspa-
pers." Now, if the Press is powerful, ought
il to be entrusted TO those men who. either
through ignorance or malice, make il an engine
of pollution or moral degradation! The pow
er which 1t possesses can work no good, unless
its aim is for good. What good is effected by
making use of the columns Of paper 10 ira
dace the character and abuse ones neighbour
even admitting all that is said is the ru,hs
/ Whv, not the least. What father or mother
would permi, a profance man 10 enter their
houses weekly, aud seat themselves by the tire
side. aud there, in the peaceful and sacred fam
Iily circle, assal the character Of any one indi-
vidual. in terms the mos, gross and revolving,
and 10 language the most obsceneI These
newspapers have more influence. either for
good or evil. than the same amount If CONVEX
salion. They are read, aud read again, by ev.
cry member Of the family who can read; and
oil know how deep a hold such things take on
/ the mind Of children.
Now, If one political party cannot prevail 10
any other manner, than to make an editor of a
newspaper of.the other party, kuave or a fool,
whether he be.so OF no, thea !. say let j, go
down. la actions at law for the recovery OF
land, The plaintiff mist recover upon the
strength. Of his own title, aad no, upon the
weakness or defect of the defendants. So
Believe. thar should stand or fall upOn the pa.
ri,y aud integrity Of his own principles 'aad
character. and not because another man, his
opponent. is rascal. Admitting ALL that is
said ia the newspapers above referred to, 10 be