Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-12-22


When u is borne in mind thar tho
newspaper constitutes The invorito
reading Of al classes. and that. in fact,
q largo proportion Of our citizens pc.
ruse but little else, It must be admit.
ted the influence of this kind ofhtera.
ture cannot well be exaggerated. n
is the mightiest of agents for good or
evil, and while IL is of immense utility
IN the social relations of man and in
the intercourse Of nations, il contracts
or misleads or II enlarges and impels
Alright the opinions of the people with
out their being sensible Of It's influence.
The origin Of the first newspaper in
our vernacular tongue is ascribed 10
'the wisdom of Queen Elizabeth aud
the prudence of Burlcigh." The first
number bears date July %, 1888. aud
was 'imprynted at London by her
highnesses printer" England was
then threatened by the Spanish Ar
manda, and the English Mercwie. &C.
cording to Dlsraeli, was originated in
q wise policy "to prevent, during
moment Of general anxiety, the dam
ger offalse reports, by publishing real
information"
The number OF established Ameri-
can publications cannot be accurately
stated, for there is scarcely hamlet
which is without its own newspaper.
The press is the power which impels
the circulation Of political life through
out our vast domain. 1t detects the
secretSprings ofpolitical designs, and :
it summons the leaders of all parties
to the bar Of public opinion IT rallies
the interests Of the community around
certain principles, and it dictates the
creed which factions adopt. And here
lies the cause of complaint as TO the
mischief which is brought about by
publications which may properly be
termed partisan. Their mission seems
to be, not TO ''prevent false reports"
but to circulate them not to publish
"real information" but to lay before
their readers assertions which arc
known TO be untrue.
We recognize the fact that the gov.
ernment Of this country is a party
government. Wherever there is free
dom there must be party. All men
cannot think alike on questions of ma
tional policy, and they naturally d.
vide into parties which contend
against each other for supremacy. If
a man believes that the ascendency OF
his party is essential to the highest
public welfare, he shonld take advan-
tage OF every honorable means to
strengthen that organization. But
the tendency Of party is to produce
party spirit-a spirit which contends
for victory regardless Of any stratagem
by which it may be won. And hence
the editor of partisan sheet is not
uneommonly led 70 sacrifice truth by
altering or distorting facts if falsehood
is more likely to prevail to make an
open and coarse eappeal to the passions
Of the populace, and, habitualiy aban-
doning the principles of political sci
ence, TO assail the character Of individ-
uals to track them into private life,
and disclose all their weakness and
errors. Sketches must be published,
in which the previous life of each can
iidate is industriously ransacked TO
lind something to praise or something
10 vilify. The editor must be prepar-
ID with arguments, sophisiry, inuendo,
sarcasm; with ridicule, prediction,
threats, promises, or any other nipple.
ment of available dexterity TO mar
'hal the trusty partisans. and leave no
stfort untriod that may aid in securing
he hoped.for victory. iicnce, in our
elections, what scenes of violence,
what SANDER, calumny, and abuse
,oaped in turn upon the most eminent
n the nation
The newspaper is the history ofthe
world for one day, and its legitimate
is the information of the lit.
'rary taste of the public. Those who
Weld its power should endeavor to ell
waite rather than to depress the pop
liar taste. They should aim TO be in.
dependent, free.spcken teachers of po.
itical truth and political duty. They
houd strive to make themselves un-
lerstood as a body of honest cousel-
'rs, seeking by pen and personal in
Iuence to make the people truly en-
ightened on all political doctrines and
neasures-counseors TO whom tho
'cople may look for fair discussion, ,truo
nformation, and sound advice.-Ts
Day.