Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-14
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Editors Who they are Their Duty, &c.
XALIA

Editors--Who they are Their Duty, &c.
An Editor. one who strives faithfully
TO perform the duties Of his vocation, is
one OF the richest boons to society. To
him it is, that the world is indebted for
mental light. Nobly, and indefatigably
he tolls to gather the fruit, which, kin.
died to a glow in his own mind, diffuses
a genial light and warmth over the minds
of others: it penetrates to the Swallowed.
the dark. and even the hidden recesses of
human intellect. producing at first, per-
haps, but faint reflection, if indeed il
produces any at first, but the tireless ed
itor is not dishesrtened. What though
his efforts are not appreciated. he labors
on. each day adding to the intellectual
flame. and each week the radiance is seen
and felt from afar. until at last the mid
night darkness of ignorance is penetrated
by the glorious beams of an intellectual
sun.
The duty Of an Editor is not to be
| lightly undertaken. Like the vows for
holy orders, he should feel that he has
special "call" TO the "sanctum;" nor
should the frowns Of opposition deter
him from the faithful discharge of the
obligations resting on him. for svco-
phantic editor. one who sells his indie
pendence of mind and principle to any
man. or Set of men. does grievous
wrong. both to his own manhood. and TO
all who look to him for that information
i: is necessary to obtain that they may
form their own opinions Alright. II is,
then, the duty of an editor TO give his
readers the TRUTH on all subjects on
which he writes. This in no case can
justly be withheld, for the press controls
the pupic mind. How necessary that it
should have truth for its basis.
So secure hold has the press upon
the affections Of the people that we're il
10 deceive. it would do an incalculable
amount Of wrong. 1t would be like in
fasing small portion of poison into
their daily food. Like it. did | say7 II
would be far more deadly in its conse
quences; for that would only be phys
ical evil, dying with the generation to
which it was administered, while the
other would be a wrong done to the in,
mortal mind. living through all genera
tions of time, continually increasing in
its destroying influences and leading
more and more into the vortex of destruc-
ton.
The mind of the youth of our country
is formed in great measure. from news
papers; for SO plenty. and so cheap have
they become, that it is almost as difficult
10 nd man who does not stake a pa
per-" as il was in former times 10 find
one who did. This is right. and argues
we'll for the intellectual state of any
Country, but il the mind Of the youth is
to be reflex from that of the editor. let
him beware of the mirror he holds Up to
their gaze, lest i: cause him shame when
he sees the image presented TO his view.
Let his own Thoughts be pure. Let him
fearlessly, and manfuliy defend the right,
shrinking not from his duty though wrath.
and power should combine against him.
and as fearlessly expose the wrong.
Such an editor is one of Gods best
blessings. He exercises healthful in.
fluence upon society, he elevates the
standard Of mind, and morals. he enlsrges
the understanding by searching out hid
den truths and presenting them to his
readers. and he leads them step BY step
10 the halls OF knowledge. Of which he
holds the key. But he who bends tie
servile knee to power. teaching his pen
to write willy falsrhoods. who catches
poisons for the public mind. is one Of the
most dreadful curses. AS the one spreads
rs;iience along the path Of life. the
other covers it with darkness deeper than
the moon of night" for the withdrawal
Of the sun from the visible heavens eau.
ses not such darkness TO our vision as
that which ignorance. vice, and crime
cover the sky of the mind Light has
been withheld, the light Of truth and dark
ness must ensue'
The SOUL of an Editor should stir with
in him who assumes the editorial chair.
or the weight of responsibility resting on
him would be burden too great for him
TO bear. Politics. morals, and religion.
every reform. and every benev VIOLENT nsti-
tuition look to him to be correctly repre.
semted. and society looks to him, too,
for correct information on these su biecis:
and not only look to him for it. but de.
mands it of him ms a just return for their
confidence, FOR faithful editor has the
confidence of the people. Their best in.
terests, political and religious liberty are
in his hands. for by sustaining the free
dom Of the press political freedom is pre.
sumed. spd with the preservation Of no. !