Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-04-13
Nex.psper Management.

We are in no sort ashamed e'tner 10
correct piece of news or to add to 1t, or
even TO alter an opinion. Nor are we in
the least afraid Of giving every individual
and every question fair showing IN our
columns. Very often we permit repre-
sentatious to be made by parties, under
their own responsibility, from which we
not only dissent, but which We believe to
be entirely false. In the latter case we
give our facts or notion, and the
nublic can form it's own conclusion, hav'
Inc the whole matter before it Ez pdrte
statements, the ignoring of the rights OF
adversaries, and indiscriminate denim
citation. have done more to corrupt the
morals of the country, and particularly
the morals of the press and the respect
in which it should be held by the peoples
than any of the vicious element Infused
Inv ignorance, malice and party drill into
American politics. The atmosphere
must be purified if we ever expect to
have peace. Men must love justice more
and their party less; they must not con-
sider every man knave or fool who
differs from them they must not be
willing TO sacrifice truth, neighborly
feeling. private obligations end all the
amenities of society, merely to support a
party organization which serves the
turn of few selfish politicians. ln
order TO attain this measure OF civil
ization il is by no means necessary
that we should sacrifice our opinions,
or act less sincerely than we DO: Ihis
professes to be q free country. 1t is not o
free country we know well enough. lntol-
GRANGE has made it very despotc
country. II 10 this which we combat, and
so long as we print newspaper we snail
endeayor TO be true to the spirit OF that
simple rule which teaches US to do as we
would be done by. II, in order to accom-
ulish this purpose, it is necessary to cor,
rect an error Of fact or opinion, we shall
do so readily. Newspapers are no more
immaculate than other institutions
They are compiled hastily from the ma
ture of the case. Enterprise. the quality
of all others that makes a newspaper
valuable, is liable to be led into mistakes.
Assuredly, therefore, it ia better
for the reader to be made aware OF
such mistakes, though they be even most
trivial, than to be kept in ignorance. de
will easily detect from the tone OF his
paper, from the way it is conducted,
from its general drift and purpose,
whether it is conscientious, sensible and
intelligent, the errors being natural and
excusable, or whether it is laundering
adventurer, whose Inconsistencies are
without method and whose mistakes the
resnlt of sheer negligence or want OF
integrity.
We can but concur in the above, ex-
tracted from the Nashville Banner. We
disapproye of the vicious element in
fused by ignorance, malice and party
drill into American politics" But we
would suggest an inquiry as to the que'-
ton OF practicable remedy. Shall we
cease to call things by their right namesP
Can we afford to handle rogues with
gloves andscall them gentlemen when,
as now, honest aud patriotic men can
net be on the side Of the usurping tyrant 2
And If we can, how is it possible to con
duct political discussions upon any bet
ter principle than that to which we have
been long accustomed, of looking TO one
class of journals for the advocacy Of one
side. and to another class for the advo-
cacy Of the other3 We must
psrforce take things as We
fad them, until We can bring
about perfection. And whatever beauti
full theories we may spin as to what ough
70 be, We shall all very likely come prae
tically to much the same conclusions sn'
courses Apubhc journal can have bu
one side in great cOuEsversy. Men II
combat are not lockers on. And the.
Who look on will End. when they, too
have blows to take and to give, that the.
are very much ike their fellows am
that Il is essier 81 times to preach thar
invariably to practice on the golden
Christian and QsAker-like rule Of the IN
offensive non-conbsiant To Be eheisn
and fair, comes about 81 near sststyinI