The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-12-29
The Responsibility of the Press.

Under the above caption the Editor Of the Sails
bury North State (who is well known to be a calm
cautious and fair writer, as well able one, J
publishes excellent article the great response
blities OF Editors Of newspapers in shaping public
opinion to do good and not harm.
An Editor of newspaper should not be subject to
any influence except the dictates of his own con-
science and if he finds he has not the power to re-
sist the force of public opinion (when he really be-
lieves that public opinion is wrcngl he should retire
from the business.
From the article in the Salisbury North State al
luded to above, we copy the following extracts:
Zone of :he most useful essays that could be writ
ten would be upon the responsibility of the press
the responsibility Of those who conduct it both to
God and man. The press is the lever that
the world. 1t moulds public sentiment great
extent, both in Church and State, and the response
billy of those who WELD instrument of such great
pOwCris almost beyond cOmprchc ems ion. How many
engage in journalism without ever for moment
s:dcring what awful responsibility they are
taking upon themselves? How many duly consider
the account which they must day render at the
bar of God for the manner in which they have ex-
ercised so important trust How many reflect
calmly upon the influence which they cxcrting
for the veal Of mankind and govern them
selves accordingly = =
\ licenticus press is the curse Of any country 1t
Is always mnlsteriHg 10 and stimulating the worst
passions Of the worst portion of the community. Tn
pcEceptibfy it leads the young, the thoughless and
the needless into the ways Of crime and folly. 1t
cngendcrs feue.s and animositics and sets whole
munities by the 1t engcndcrs spirit Of bitter
rartzanism which icopardizes the peace of society
and the safety of the State. Yet we have bad men
everywhere that seize upon this instrument to ele
waite themselves 20 power. They generally WELD it
without regard to the feelings, rights interests Of
others They often quite reckless of the
claims of deccncy and justice The purity Of the
public morals and the general welfare and safety Of
society. they never permit TO stand between them
and their unhallowed ambition to elevate them
selves to official position to make money. And
there m.iltitudcs of well meaning persons who
constantly encouraging these pests of society
Fond of excitement and prone to self Indulgence they
are constantly aiding in dcmoralizng the country
by subscribing to the most sensational and corrupt
ING publications that ever issued from deprayed
press. We might instance publication of this
character which we have before taken occasion to
denounce, that has a circulation of many thousands
in the Southern States because it panders TO the pas
sions and prciudiccs just now dominant there, when
apart from its dcmoralizin@ tendencies. 1t is we'll
known to be DANA ging to in political sense. AS
long these the Kind of publications most en-
cOuraGed among us we may never expect even such
imperfect peace and happiness as are TO be found in
this world by exercise ofte virtues Of faith hope
and clarity.''