Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1867-10-25
iowa Press Association.
Address or Adjutant General Baker

iowa Press Association.
Address or Adjutant General Baker
Pub'sd In accordance with vote of Association
GENTLEMEN OF THE Iowa Press
ASSOCIATION IL am aware that iii ad.
dressing you, | occupy both delicate
and responsible position--delicate in.
asmuch rs | may be suspected of desir.
ing to dictate to gentlemen who are pre-.
sumed to appreciate the scope and char.
acter of their profession, and respohsi-
die because / am authorized to speak in
the interests of ONE of the mightiest i'm.
stitutions for good and evil in the land
Candor, strong convictions and a pro
found regard for the wholesome influ,
ence of q free and enlightened press
will compel me to deal frankly and be-
lievingly with the questions which ]
propose to discuss as appropriate to thi.
occasion. And here derive confidence
In the recognized courage and indie
pendence of the editorial fraternity whe
honor me with their attention-forn none
better than they appreciate n manly
honesty of purpose and that sincerity
that speaks as ii believes.
POWER AND UTILITY oFTHE PRESS.
L
To describe the powers and utility Of
the public press would be &c review al
that Is mc:Sst characteristic and encour
aging in our modern civilization. Its
sphere Of activity embraces all that per.
tains to the welfare of man, and Is finn.
tied only by the bounds of his energy
and thought; there is no Department,
of inquiry to which it does not either
airaat iv In, III raaflu tv;h
are no enterprises of common utility
that do not depend for their success up.
ON its cooperation. aud that are not
promoted by its influence. There Is nc
beneficent knowledge for whose trans.
mission and incubation it Is not pow.
erful medium. It's labors i'm the cause
of humanity are as manifold as its tai.
ent is versatile and prolific. No righte.
Gus cause Is so humble that it may not
find In the press an auxiliary. No in
iquity Is too hoary with years, or too
exalted In place to escape its uncompro-
missing assaults. Wherever beats an
aspiration for freedom, the press gives
ii an eloquent tongue. Wherever by.
pocrisy conceals its foul designs against
the public good, 1t unhesitatingly tears
away the veil; it speaks as boldly to
the prince as to the peasant--as fearless
ly to the rich as to the poor, and es-
pouses the causes of the humble and
obscure as well as that of the iilustrious
10 popularizes deepest facts of science /;
1t scatters the richest gems of genius
ii is the impressive voice fo TO-DAY,
speaking of duties, rights and facts, to
the common heart; il is the faithful
mirror.in which the worlds shifting
scenes are reflected, and where the life
of men has accurate and vivid portrait
urts; 1T is the pioneer of progress, the
inspirer of industry, the advocate of
truth, the champion of law, justice and
religion. Whatevsfin these latter days
has been gained for mankind may be
largly attributed to its wholesome in
fiuence. Take the accursed rebellion
as an illustration, and ii will be at once
recognized, that some of the mightiest
forces that stemmed the tide of insur-
rection and impelled brave people I'd
victory, were Intensified and directed
by the agency of the press. In the
hands of a free people and I'm the service
of freedom, 10 is one of the most power
full engines of national progress and
stability that God allows his creatures
TO employ.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRESS.
The power of the press then being
confessedly so great, its responsibilities
are proportionate. If it cnn be foun-
tain of light, 1t can be also a belching
crater of Internal fires. It's acknowi-
edged objects, briefly stated, is the good
of man, and 1t receives its support chief
ly on the ground of its advancing hu-
man utilities. 1t should be conducted,
therefor, on the highest principles of
honesty, candor and truth.
The loftiest ideal should be aimed at
in its management, however imperfect
may be its practical realization. En-
bracing i'm its sphere SO many interests.
and dealing with questions so manifold
and widely related, there is imperative
demand for the largest intelligence, the
best culture, the most sincere convic-
tions, the most sterling integrity of
character on the part of those who con-
troll 1t. Even with mere mercenary
considerations in view, there Ii no per-
manent gain in any sacrifice of princi-
pie or suppressivns of faithful counsels.
OutspOken convictions are more profit
able I'm the long run than temporiz-
ing expediency that trackles and trims
to every passing gale of opinion. There
Is danger that for the sake of present
popularity, journal may be conducted
with too much reference to dead con-
servatism-that 1t takes Its cue from the
opinions and prejudices of u few who
are supposed to reflect tile mind of the
multitude-that it aims chiefly to be
palatable to lower phase of intelli-
gence and culture, and neglects the
discussion of questions and the main
ance of principles that are fundamental
to the welfare of the individual or the
A journal conducted
in this way may be popular, but IL can
not be oonerft4l. In what public
journal advocates, love Of truth aud a
desire to serve mankind should be SUI
preme. Itmust go before the masses in
the enunciation of beliefs and the pro-
of political and ethical doc
trine, while 1t constantly keeps in view
to be singular, when to be commonplace
would be to stultify its professions and
Its strength. Never seek
ing to give offence. but unfiinching i'm
its maintenance of what IL believed to
be right, 1T must love man well enough
i'm promoting his good to be willing to
be called mt times his enemy.
LIBERTY AND LIcEsTIOUsNEss OF THE
PRESS.
The largest liberty must be claimed
and used In editorial management, but
that liberty should never degenerate
into licentiousness. There Is danger,
great danger, that in the acerbities of
political difference and debate, in the
enthusiasm of successful journalism,
In the tempting exposures of q rival or
q foe, the press may attack character In
a way that Is morally dishonest, cow
ardly. and cruel Some of the most
fatal injuries that character can re-
ceive from wanton and yenomous pens,
are beyond the reach of legal redress. -.
Even Ii redress be had, damages for
for some wrongs in the shape Of money
can be no equivalent The honorable
citizen whose name is stained with un-
odium and whose prospects in