The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-01-25

4 - S--S r. ~co oAS suOcC tA1db u1C
in ofice are usually Obvious to. One of th
chief Of these is the prominence that the pre-.
gives to ordinary men giving character an
Reputation to men who have nothing to bull
these on. Men go through life in eminen
stations on mere newspaper reputation.
This does not naturally arise from the toady
ism Of editors. Most of it grows ont of par
tizan necessities. Politicians must be advo
cated: first for nomination BY the local press
their merits magnifed; when nominated, th,
party press m mIst unite 10 exalting them. Ii
the canvass they are attacked, and the part,
press must defend them. and this defense i
governed more BY party necessity than by mer
il. and naturally runs TO extravagant eulogy
When in Office, the safety Of the party otter
depends on keeping up the bubble.
But this failing of the press often brings it
own penalty. for usually politicians ,1hons til.
|Pablic press has created, are the first 70 de
noanee II as a aHisanee In one respect this
is it, for they are living evidence that it lie q
nuisance bat this is not the reason that insti
gates them. Humanity naturally hates the
power that made it and that knows its sham
construction. Besides, they regard newspa
pers as the great engine Of civilization 30 long
as they keep within their proper sphere that
is to elect them to Office but if after this
work is accomplished and the papers have
fulfilled their mission. they still assume to have
opinions on public matters, then they are nui
sances. We intend no personal applications
in these remarks. Instances of their truth
are within the observation of every one, and
they are quite too common to make any par.
ticular application necessary.
The editorial profession is weak, false to it
self and unfaithfal to the publc. Still it is
above the average of politicians and men in
ofice. During political campaigns the party
journals are regarded as invaluable, especially
BY the candidates for offics. A free press is
then the hope of the world. ae z
After election it is often different. Then
if Journals argue public questions that come
up for action, it lie called dictation, or an at
tempt to bring pressure to bear upon repre-
7s
Yet. why this change The journals are
the same. The party triumph has not ele
waited them to Office. They are still governed
BY the same principles aud motives that made
them SO valuable daring the canvass. Is it
net then because politician experiences
change after be has acquired position and findr
these modes of expressing public opinion in.
convenient to his personal ambition s
Public questions are Just as E,nch sub
lect for discussion in the pablic journals sfter
election as before. If men in Office fnd ii
distastefui they had beteer institute course
Of self examination to end the cause of the
change in their views.
A member of the House Travelled out OIL
bis way, for a notice, on the debate on print
ng the Governors Inaugural address. He is
eported as follows: ~
'Mr Hills (Rep) wanted every member
present to know that it was whispered about
hat the press would be down on Us. He
wanted it down on him. He declared vebe
nently that the press of this city, and else
where, should not crush him in the attempt to
,urtail the expenses of the State
Men may want the press down on them who
laye no hope of getting into che papers on
heir merits. II is difficult to imagine any
,ther reason.
The gentleman probably thinks that all the
printing at the Capital goes through the same
pout. and that the newspapers are hungry
or the job. The information that the print
ng OF the legislature is done by its own con
ractor, and that the press of Columbus care
ust as much how many copies of the inaugu
al the legislature print as they do about the
number of copies of the gentlemanis resoIu
len to dock the pay of absent members, ,would
nave saved this feeble sf5ectation of indepen-
ienee for the sake of Dotoriety. The printing
II the inaugural was only the usual courtesy
II the Legislature towards . new Governor,
md the usual attention to their constituents.
t ves poor occasion for Republican to
display i'll manners; and to drag in the press
vas IN still worse taste. Let gentlemen dis
'harge their duties to their constituents, and
lot be looking about for chances to make
hemselves unwholesome. Let them regard
themselves as representatives of constituen.
y and members Of q great political party
Nth mission to accomplish that win control
he destinies of the nation. Then they will
IND that We arc all eo-operating to the same
yreat end gA BE-. 5,ls .'.rgs .ase.
AS far as the Journal is concerned, we de.
cline to take the position that some would
lssign to the whole press-a mere instrument
o elevate mon to Office. Thers is no question
hat is taken out of the province Of the pub.
ie journals by an election. On the contrary.
vhen, the time comes to put principles into
icts, is the time when discussion in the press
3 mostneedsd.. II this is distinction, or down
IN any one, be must stand from under. This
PAPER represents the same sentiments now that
t did while the election was pending. Thev
we're the sentiments Of the people then and
me people are net changed b1 elections
furthermore, journalist who does not regard
MS 2 duties as of more dignity and importancel
tnan any political Office Of the country is net
worthy of the pt Dit on. iF4
As Ior tnc reports (the subject on which
We commenced this article, although II ran in.
% 2 dissertation on general principles). the
printing Of them Is entirely matter hetvser
Ine members and the public. We bona -tbevl
will not.take the newspapers into the cens;d.
GRAFTON at all IL they wish their of;c;ai -
ports printed in this paper. on the terms nro. T!
posed, and on the understanding of which W.
have done 70 far, it will be- done. !; Other.
wise It will not be; and since tie debate on
Ihe matter has already cest the State nearIyI
Is much as the reports would. we do mot see