The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-10-13
Vgt,ntI,the grower Of the Press g''


We are apt to speak of the power
fthe press as something in itself an in
huence to every man that prints news
paper, and not responsible to any Of the
agencies which build or destroy. The
power of the press is as much under a
law Of ethics as any other profession,
and its canons mast be carefully Observ-
ed. Any one man may print news
paper, and if he understands his calling
may reach large circulation. Unless
it is fair, impartial, trustworthy jour
nal, it may be read by hundred thous-
aud readers, and have no more influ-
ence upon mankind than SO much this
tle.down flying in the ali. A newspa-
per must tell the truth 1t must aim
TO comment upon men and events with
fairness and courtesy. 1t may have
strong political sympathies, and in po-
litical discussions it may use the most
strenuous rhetoric. But with a people
naturally as fond of fair play as the
Americans, nothing makes less impress
sion than bitterness and inyective.
How often have we learned from the
Tribune, for instance, that all men are
liars or something worse who do not
spree with it on matters Of political
economy. We remember that this Gel.
ebrated epithet was applied 10 Mr.. Bry-
ant in a tariff discussion. Yet the men
who have been thus denounced, Sena-
tor Douglas, for instance, have reached
high honors, having been exalted by
the sutfrages Of men who would have
spurned them had they believed the
angry newspaper. How often has the
World assured US OF the manifold sins
and shortcomings of the President, bis
meanness, his incompetency, his selfish
ness, his unGtness for any duty Of war
or peace! Yet the people who believe
in the World have been very glad to
honor this man as a most satisfactory
President.
There is limit, however, to invectiYe,
which even party journals do not trans
gress, Look at the assaults ofMr Dana
npon the President and Mr.. Fish and
Mr.. Davis. The country would naturally
expect that every SANDER upon Re
publican President and his Cabine
would be welcomed as a sweet morse
by the Democratic press, and rolled un'
der the tongue of every Democratic
orator. Yet we find these special Sian,
ders overlooked by the very men who
would be supposed to use them in an
ger or scorn. Take the old story
written and written, again and again
about Mr.. Bancroft Davis, the text o
8 hundred Sun editorials, with every de
gree Of exaggeration. No one copie
It, or comments upon it, or regards i
% of any more value than the decama
tions of the razor-strop man on Nassau
street, who has declaimed on one sub
isct for a generation. The multtud
sees Ia the razOr-strop man an anxious
merchant selling his wares, while MI
Dana is regarded as an angry, disap
pointed virago, at war with the world
and venting his anger on every passer
by.
Henry J. Raymond one time said t
us in conversation, speaking Of the &c
verify Ofnewspaper criticism, that moth
ing was of more consequence to publ
man than what a Journal would say o
him to-morrow--nothing Of less conse
quence than what it said yesterday. Il
al abuse there is limit! Human cred
ulity will not, even in anger, go beyon
. certain point. 1t is quite impossible t
make the thinking world believe that me
who have risen to high station, VIII
have served their fellows with patriot
ism and self-denial, deserve punishmen
as criminals. Editors may rave an
scream, feeling that the world listen
in patience and belief to their angr
words. II they would only listen,
would be to sec the world quietly hui
EyiDg to its own affairs, or as muo
amused at their passionate antics as III
gaping crowd in the circus, when tn
TiBg-maste has his nightly quarrel wit
the clowns.-NelV York Standard.