The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-08-10
The Relations Of tho Pioneer and
Democrat with tho Country Demo-
cratic Press

An article which appeared in the Hast
ipgs Democrat, of the 4th instant, and which
is today transferred to our columns, justi-
fes, even if it does not render necessary,
some remarks on our part in respect to the
relations of this paper with the country Dem
ocratic press of the State. 1t will be seen
that this article is violently abusive of one
of our editors. The animus of this abuse, it
will be perceived, proceeds from the fact
that our paper is popular among the De-
mocracy and people of Hastings, and that,
in consequence, it enjoys large circulation
there, which has lately been materially in
creased. We assume this to be so, because
no other reason is assigned, and because we
are unaware that the editor of the Hastings
paper has any cause for complaint, outside
of that, either on personal, professional, or
political grounds. A feeling of jealousy,
therefore, which is the parent Of many ex-
travagances, seems to be the father of the
one now under review.
That this passion should cloud the happi-
ness of the Hastings editor, or that of any
others among our Democratic contempora>
ries, is matter which we may deplore. but
which we cannot, in justice to ourselves or
our party, very we'll avoid. That we print
a more attractive paper, and one, therefore,
more largely patronized by the people, is
fact, that, while it should not engender van
ity, certainly does not, nor will not, fll us
with remorse. A desire to excel, we may
as well frankly confess it, is the motive which
incites us to exertion. If we succeed, then
our object is attained; but, we will just as
frankly acknowledge, that such success may
be had without, on the one hand, exhibiting
any superior degree Of ability on our part,
or on the other hand, affxing a stamp of
inferiority upon our competitors. The adj
vantages we possess are in our location, at the
business and news center of the State, and
in the increased amount of our home patron
age, which enable US to devote more time
and capital to the preparation of our paper
than can be afforded by those, with equal
and superior talents, whose situation is less
fortunate.
Possessing. thus, the advantages Of posi-
ton, we have regarded it our duty, not
merely in respect of our own interests but
also of the interests of the party, to seek to
extend our circulation, and, in that way,
the sphere of our influence, and the profits
of our publications, to as wide limit as
possible. We know of nothing illegitimate
in this desire. But, while we cherish it,
and act upon it, we, at the same time, have
no wish to interfere with the business or
Of any local paper of like politics
with our own. We appreciate, very fully,
the importance Of the country journal to the
political as we'll as to the material interests
of its locality. We think it the plailest
evidence Of folly on the part of any commu-
nifty, to permit their home papers to Ian
guish for want of full and generous sup
port. And so thinking, we have always
said to the people outside of our own local.
ty--" Take care of your home papers first;
if they are already good, they are worthy
your support on their merits,-if they are
not attractive, ten to one, it is your fault,
which it is your duty to repair, by taking
and paying for them, largely and generously.
After you have thus performed your duty
at home, if you want Democratic paper at
the capital, we offer you ours" This has
not merely been the tenor of our talk to the
farmers and villagers OF our State, but it
has been our genuine feeling with reference
to the couatry press. And, in accordance
with that feeling, we have always instructed
our agents never to interfere with the bust
ness or standing of any country Democratic
journal, in its locality. These instructions,
we have reason to believe, have been faith
fully carried out by our agents. And thus
believing, we cannot lay it to our account
as an offence deserving censure, that the
different issues of our paper have increased
by thousands along with the returning pros
pert of the people, and the excitements
peculiar to presidential campaign.
The fact is, that this whole matter of
jealousy between the city and country press
of the State is as absurd as it is disgusting.
There is room enough for all. Each is
necessity within its sphere. The city press
cannot fill the place of the country paper;
the country press is foolish when it attempts
al Noit