The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1862-11-22
Editorial Responsibility.
A WORD WITH PUBLISHERS.

1t IS matter Of deep regre. that the
tone OF the press of our young State is
SO much below what it ought to be. =
During the recent canvass We have been
often disgusted and ofiener panied a,
the recklsssness almost every~ here Wis
ible in The conduct of Journalistic. The
staples of the campaign have been low
wit. personal slang and corrupt dema,
goguery in far too many instances. =
For all that can be perceived 10 the
contrary, the chief motives which
prompted to action were selfshness, a
desire for revenge, personsl animosity
and the worst features Of partisauship.
We had hoped that with the heat of
the canvass these things would pass
away; but We perceive that the same
spirit YET prevails. Old grudges are
Kept up; the lowest passions are sp-
pesled to: hatred is famed to a flame;
and wicked men seem determined TO
continue all existing evils and add new
ones TO them.
Articles appear in newspapers claim
ing to be respectable. which. if they
would not disgrace a common saloon,
would certainly add nothing to its cred
IL. Demagogues evidently fear the
rule OF honest men. tnd the advocacy
OF honest principles. and are endeav-
oring 10 pieven. their ascendeucy.
Ii 1t be true that "whatsoever a man
'o"s that shall he also reap" wha, sor,
OF q harvest will the press of Kansas
gather? II il sows to the baser pas.
slons. what can i, reap su, anarchy
II 1t 'sows 10 the wind" what can i,
expect but TO '.reap the whirlwind?"
This is mos, serious matter. In
our State, whore. 10 a considerable ex
tent, We lack tue facilities of education
where the Common School System is
yet in its infancy. almost everything
depends upon the press. Our papers
must be teachers: Editors must be ed.
ucators. and the printing Offices schoo
rooms. The morals, the intelligence
the tastes of the rising generation i,
hansas are to be shaped by the pres.
OF the State. What = responsibility i
this resting upon the editors and pub
fishers Of this pioneer sister in tn,
great national familyl
Brethren Of the press. do you fe.
and appreciate this? Are you s,rivin
to educate the children If Kansas 70
usefulness and honor? or are you reck
less OF results and careless whether yo
direct them in the paths of virtue or
the penitentiary and the gallows? >
What says your record? Is it one yo
can point TO with honest pride? Ho,
will 1t tell upon the destinies of you
children. your neighbors' children. III
community At large?
These are grave questions. Indeed
the whole subject is fraught With th
most weighty importance. 1t is n
light thing to be the conductor Of
journal. and be who rushes though,
lessly into the work goes there unwor
thilJ. 1t is too true that men - veal
ones ar that-may rush where "angel
bashful look"
"lt is surely just as we'll to appea
to mems nobler powers. their patriotism
and the public welfare. as TO excite tb'
passions. play upon the baser instincts
and arouse the overgrown sel6shness o
mind and heart.
Instead Of creating or continuin.
personal and local animosilies. Why no
urge The development of our common
cans.ry? Here are the broad acres o
this beautiful land calling ou. to US fo
helping hand: here our agricul.ura
and commercial interests demanding
outlets and iulets. . market and tb,
means Of transportation. Why no
unite to build our railroads WHY
not advocate measures for the perma
nsnt wellbeing of ourselves and oul
pos,erity. instead of frittering away ou1
efforts in little cabals. in contem ptibl.
sriekery; in the lowest slougbs of dem
agoguery in mere personalities which
CAD. by no possibility. be Of advantage
10 any one!
The press Of Kansas is making it:
record. The marks of its influence
will be seen for generations to come
The time Of reckoning win also arrive.
and il 10 no small matter TO prepare 70,
the ordeal. How many shall be weigh.
60 in the balance and found wanting
when that period is reached! The pres
ept and the future; the men Of to-day
and tie "cbildren fbat come after