The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1868-03-20

NcMS 10 ihioIhatluu lurulshcu III auN"hO0'
fit has been furnished already, it is no
longer news. The arttherofore, of max,
ing a newspaper consists chiefly in the fa-1
cility Observing thelpubEc with the fresh
|cstn news, to saytnothing about quantity
which is of course implied, and the agent
of this is, for the most part, the electric
telegraph.
From 4 mere political weapon, and
therefore luxury, the newspaper has
come to be an everyday commodity. Its
business must be conducted on the same
principles which apply to dry-gOOds,
groceries and cutlery. Its attaches are,
or ought to be, business men. 1t is pub
lie conveyance, a vehicle of thought and
general intelligence. 1t has no more claim
to consideration outside of its intrinsic
value than sack of coffee; and though
persons who call themselves "mcmbers OF
the press frequently urge their demands
by reason of some mysterious attribute
that has no real existence, the plain mat
ter of fact commercial standard which ap-
plies to trade at large still remains IN
force and applies to the professions of journ-
alism. You subscribe for paper as you
order certain brand of -four, because you
like it. 1t suits You. You advertise in
newspaper, not because you like the indi-
viduals connected with it, but because it
answers the purpose of popular communl-
cation which you wish to establish. No
paper has right to become stipendary
on the friends of its owners or editors.
A paper which is not its own support is
not worth supporting, A marketable
article will always sell readily, and mar
ketable newspaper is no exception to the
rule. s'
Holding these views about journalism
at large, we make them the rule and guide
of our conduct. We desire to give our
readers every morning not only the worth
of their money, but newspaper which
will do no discredit to the enterprise and
intelligence of the community. We make
no private or personal solicitations for pat
ronage, prefcrring to use our advertising
columns on the same footing with other
business men for the purpose in question,
and in lieu of the obsolete customs Of
drumming" which, aside from its annoy
ance is undignifed, and draws upon our
profession invidious, but merited remark.
We say to the public, "hcrc is our paper
You see what it is. Will you take it :"
and if the public think as much of it as we
do we make no doubt of its bountcous pa
tronage. We say to trade, "herc are our
advertising columns. You will have to
form your own opinion of their ayailabili-
ty," and if trade wishes to advertise, why
it will do so. Trade docs net come to us
and say, ''will you buy a suit of clothes,
or barrel of molasses? % and we all know
that it is poor rule that don't work both
ways.
Undoubtedly, patronage, like charity,
should begin at home. Enterprise in any
branch of business ought to be encouraged.
But the press is no better, and we hope
no worse, than its neighbors, and has no
! greater claim on the community. If it is
useful, it will be recognized. If it is
thrifty, it will grow rich. If it is capable.
sensible, amiable, it will be popular. The
laws that effect the standing of an individ-
ual, or business house, affect in like
manner the newspaper None of us are
infallible. We do the best we can. The
people take the will for the deed very of.
ten, and measure their judgment according
to the intention, not the issue, which may
reverse the soberest and best-laid human
calculation. Therefore we look for ;
more useful career for the press of oul
country. The notions we have roughly
jotted down are entertained by ever,
well-trained journalist. The Cincinnati
Commercial, the Chicago Times, the st
Louis Republican, the Louisville 'Cour
Ter, are all conducted on the same bust
} ness principle. See what good they d.
: the cities in which they are published. w