The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-21
The Country Press : Its Duties
md ResDonsibIlities,

In an important political contest, when
great questions are pending, when great in
terests are at stake, the country newspaper
press has a responsibility to bear aud repu-
tation to sustain, not in any manner inferior
to the larger establishments of the city
To maintain their proper position, editors Of
local journals must have originality, energy,
Industry and independence. They must
have ideas and opinions of their own. Their
issues must be something more than an in.
feriOr second edition of their city exchanges.
For yerrs past, quite too many ofour frater-
nifty, have been in the habit of pinning their
faith to the sleeve of some city contemporary.
They have never dared to express an opin-
ion upon any new and exciting subject un-
I'll some of the larger daiies have given
them the cue." This has been the case
SO long that city journals now almost claim
the right of debating to US in regard to our
course and conduct. There is a kind Of
aristocracy in aperdom-country pa
pers occupying an inferior grade.
This ought not SO to be. So far as real
service is concerned, we Of the country, do
as much as the city press. The business of
organizing counties, ofdisciplining and train
ming the rank and file of the party, dcvolves
upon us. This is peculiarly the case in the
present canvass. 1t sometimes happens
that large daiIies instead of doing effectual
labor for party, are so intensely occupied
with personal iealousies and quarrels, that
the triumph of principle is utterly disregard
cd or becomes a matter of secondary i'm
portance. One or two city journals have
complained because the country press do no'
copy their articles and imagine ''Conspira
cy" against themselves on that account
They never dream that the true reason WHY
their articles are not more frequently copied
is because they are not worthy of reprint
1t has been whispered that in Ohio, sem
of the more influential newspapers are nc
as valuable support to their party as for
merly. There is more brag and less of rea
J service. We do not pretend TO say that thi
is true but this much we can say wIthou
doing injustice tShny one ; there are som
daily papers which are doing most valuabl
service in the Democratic cause, some who's
blows are true and heavy, while there ar
others, whose value is exceedingly limitel
The observation of every reading man i
Ohio since the beginning Of the Presder
= tial contest will bear US out in this assel
y ton.
=: We would not say aught to the prejudic
of city establishments. Good daily news
papers are invaluable to country editor
There are some on our list which are almo:
as necessary to our business, as the mechar
}. les tools are to his work. We should pal
j. from them with the greatest reluctance. Bu
g the idea which we would enforce is, thG
however valuable may be the city pres
n still, the proper maintenance of local journa
n is equally important The latter have I
: much to do in moulding and controllir
/, public opinion as the former, and their inf
a, ence will be still wider and more pote
Il W hen the members of our vocation proper
y. appreciate the responsibilities and duti
IN which rest upon them. There is work, ha,
,oork, 10 be done in the present contest
1t is no time for anybody to be idle or Lux
warm. Each editor must feel that for hi
J.. there is duty to perform which nobody els
y can or will perform, that there is respons
in bility for him which no one else can or wi
81 assume, that to him belongs the honor
e, making the country press what it ought
at be and must be-a broad channel for II
dissemination of valuable knowledge, al
II an agent for the advancement of the publ
good and the honor and glory of the who
country.