The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-07-19
MISC ELI. A N EOUS.
DUTIES OF A JOURNALIST.

We copy the following judicious and sensible
remarks from an article which we find in late
number of the Plandealer,' of Cleveland, Ohio.
Most heartily do we endorse the same as express
sive OF our own views of the duties of public
journalist, and OF the suitahleness of such views
to this latitude, well to the latitude OF OHIO.
The rassalagc Of the press of which the editor
speaks, is we fear, not unknown even here.-U. S..
Journal.
There are some public journals in this country
which, owing to circumstances Of position, de-
serve and receive good deal of attention from
the newspaper press, to which very little respect
would be due on account Of any intrinsic quail
tiles they possess.
All will admit that it is the duty of every good
citizen to try to lead the public opinion Alright,
both by precept aud example, and this is the duty
of private indivdual how much more does ii
become the conductor of a newspaper press. To
discharge well the duties of public journalist, is
to elevate the vocation TO the loftiest summit Of
human dignity and usefulness.
The most gIaring defect, however, dlscoverabIe
in modern political editors, is their want of indie
pe'dence. The uasSaiage Of the press has become
adegradng political, as well as moral evil. The
eqaaliy which is supposed to exist among all
classes Of civilized men, and which forms the
basis Of our republicansm, i, denied to conduc-
tors of the newspaper press. Here must be grades
and distinctions founded upon accidental position
Here are Sir Oracles, those who assume to speak
for the party, having no other qualification for
their fitness as mouth-pietes,' than that they are
oil mouths. These form the few. There are
those whose only service is to echo back those
Delphlc sounds; and these form the many. Where
is the boasted freedom of the press' What has
condition to do with the republican equality the
mind? Is not truth ever the same, and are not all
equally entitled and invited to its rich banquets?
Have we not all the same right to investigate and
appropriate its blessings, and have we not right
to promulgate whatever we deem truth, without
regard 10 the insolence Of our neighbour Bound
TO swear in the words Of no man. says distn-
guished civilian; and, says Jefferson, Il swear
elelnallhosty against euoy firm cttyranny over
the mind Of man. and so say we.
To the brethren of the press we appeal for CO.
operating effort to elevate the standard OF our
vocation, and vindicate in ourselves the principles
we profess, that of republican equality and nde-
pe,adence Our cause fears not the light; it asks
NO concealment of its principles 1t shines bright
est under the ordeal of Independent discus;ion
and to the great mass of the people needs but 10
be known in order to be approved. Come on.
then. Let each one feel himself an Ajax for Truth,
and rising in his own might, ssy his opposer with
this 'two edged weapon Do not fear contention
among ourselves.
Truth is the only common ground upon which
We can all stand, We must either unite in choos-
ing this allow Sir Oracle to dictate our farth
Tie former makes us men, the latter slaves.