The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1858-12-09
JACKSON. G. ~. OHIO,
THURSDAY, December 9Th, 1853.
aIt is Only a Newspaper Report

Az ID Vul1 Az NV"SPoP"A @NSPN@
Remarks such as the above are becom-
ing quite too common in our country
The press is unques tionably suffering in
public estimation as a reliable medium OF
information. At this day, he who would
narrate for truth what he has only from
newspaper authority, very cautiously con-
ceals his source of information, fearful of
being subjected to the charge of weakness
and credulty. Ii can easily be imagined
the confusion that would overcome a mar
rator Of some interesting incident of recent
occurrence, il, at the conclusion, he should
be asked for his author, and be compelled
to answer, IL saw it in newspaper
Why is it that this kind of authority is not
in better rcputc?
When we apply to history for informa-
tion concerning tho dead past, we draw
> near with kind of reverential awe, as
though we were treading on holy ground
We read of the rise and fall of Empires
the causes that have brought about
these results-of armes-the number and
character of the soldiery, and the names
Of the Generals--the particular spots OF
ground on which battles were fought
the precise order in which the opposing
forces were drawn up for battle--the
bearing Of particular officers in the en-
gagement--spceches in CabinetS--speech-
es in Senates--the manners and customs
Of citizen AMI subject We read of all
these, as minulely detailed by the histori-
an; ana though centuries have rolled over
the last resting place Of author and sub
ject, and though we know nothing of Ell
ther, except what is written, yet we are
disposed to receive it all as gospel truth
But not so Of the living present.
When we take upa newspaper, and sec
recorded, perhaps murder in the City OF
y New York-perhaps the death of some
eminent parsonage, any matter Of fact
news, instead of saying to our neighbor,
"such is the fact" we can only say "such
is the newspaper report" and the most
that is effected by first announcement,
is to put the reader upon inquiry-"we
want to hear further Of this matter--we
want more and better evidence" And
so it is with the most trivial occurrence
There is n wonderful lack Of faith in news
papers as Il reliable source Of information
And why is this SO? Perhaps the ques
toni Is more easily asked than answered
Are those having the control of news
papers, at the present, loss truthful chron
::slers than tho historian Of the past? w
are 10th to believe that as a general rule
there is any very great degeneracy in this
particular. Common sense would teaci
us, that it is to the interest of newspape
proprietors and editors to deal honestl!
and fairly with the public; for in this de
1ponds their success, we may say eveI
N their existence. But however unreasona
N(ble the supposition, and however deplor
lAable, 1t must nevertheless be admitted a
Arue, that in many instances, newspapc
isi@A forgotful of the high position the
should occupy, and of the important tru'
scommittc9to. their care, arc regardless
( the consequences, not Only to themselve
in particular, but to the character of tn
press in general. Either from sordid me
tives, revSngeful feelings or that MOI
e., mischieyous propensity, love of strif'
give currency to statements that are III
v. .ttrue and shout tho shadow of truth
sls tSefi9ye not Of present, any particul'
Q mcase in view, but our mind involuntaril
= yeyerts to the seeming license taken b!
Gf not given TO- partisan newspaper ed
tors to lie through political campaign
Euring a political excitement, somo
those appear to lose sight every rule b.
this one: "The end must justify Il
means" And no matter how palpab
. the falschood, iftho reader can be induce
to swallow il, the effect is just the same
il true. For instance, it has been the Gu
!. tom of Democratic editors in this seeti'
Z of the country, TO charge the Opposite
h with being an Abolition party Not
whether this charge b. tfngSp false 1t
not our purpose now 70 slals but the e.
isas Of the Democratic prek, well ava
: Sc IA goodly portion of .,l,,ll oslla'ion
,slon~cpunty is ve aver
IN. adopt t& omni
: an1 ~, Is hereby given Tia
fAeuhin !. loiore existing beii,
- tAe mosi npd Kahn no hofhl
pbM having asslgnedrt
ttrh o,lc and Ierest In said e.. n,
"sf"' I al, the county '"iri vi
A,,urR who Is fuf