The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-07-24
PERSONALITIES.

There is no good reason why an edi.
tor, in his official relation, should be any
less courteous to papers or persons than
aprivate citizen. The position he oc-
cupies gi:es him the advantage over his
fellows, which he may use to their in
jury, II ne is mean enough to do so.--
There are those who take the advantages
which their position unfortunately gives
them, to denounce those whom they
personally hate, and to bring against
| them the maledictions of all those whom
they can influence. This is ten hun
dred fold more mean than the personal
abuse brought against an opponent in
the heat and excitement of political
campaign. There may be a little allow
ance for the one, but none for the other.
However, the whole system is wrong,
and at least, as destructive to newspaper
influence as to personal. How foreign
from the legitimate sphere of the news-
paper, to descend to detraction. It is
fortunate for the world, that the course
pursued by newspapers, has robbed
them of their influence. The best men
in our country, or that tie world ever
knew, would have been secuted by their
own families, or shot down like mad
dogs by justly indignant society, as
unit for it, had the half of newspaper
talk about them, had shadow of toun-
dation in truth. But fortunately for
them and for the country, these "nows-
paper lies' were attributed to their
FATHER and these very men, elevated
to the highest positions of truth, prov
ed the Savior" the ornaments and the
greatest bencfactors of the country.
The position of an editor gives him,
lawfully, no more personal rights and
privileges than those possessed by any
other citizen and it is contemplate to &
take unlawful advantages. The identity
of the editor should be lost in the news
paper, and the newspaper should be the
exponent of the wants of the community
in which he lives, and the country at
large, and not, in any degree the mere
personal tool of the editor, a clique or a
party. The public demand such news
papers, and the wants Of the public must
be met. A personal difficulty may be
avenged, and personal spite gratifed, or
political movement, however unfair,
may be carried through, by newspaper
influence, but let it be borne in mind,
that these things react. The public
will, sooner or later, find out that the
affair was wholly personal and that the
movement was merely political, and
there will be reaction destructive to the
man and to the party. The great ear of
the public is deaf to personal wants or
enmity. 1t may mistake your voice for
that of lamb in distress and hurry to
your relief; but repeated feints, will
finally leave you to the tender mercies
of your enemies, and the deserved re-
proach of the public. We have heard
of editors resigning their positions for
the purpose of recruiting their moral
characters, and have only wondered
that they had any left on which to build
the superstructure.
Let newspapers be properly conduct
ed, and there will be no grating on the
ear of the public, of vindictive person.
ali'ies; cotemporary journalists will be
respected, and the principles only of their
papers, discussed. The murmurings of
the public voice are already heard. -
When that voice thunders, even editors
must obey. and cease their yitupera-
Daily Times.