The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-10-24
G JLUl[MBIA. s. G.
Tuesday Morning. October "a 1871.
Tho Elements OF True Journalism-1ts
Immediate Duty In the South.

4ra
We have always entertained high
appreciation of genuine journalism. The
freedom OF the press ls justly held by
freemen to be essential to their liberties.
Nor do we mean license, when we say
liberty. With licentious and unbridled
honor and decenoy. we can have no
sympathy. For muzzled and syco-
phantio press, we can have no respect.
But for press that stands up ever for
the right-that is found always on the
side of truth and virsue-that maintains
the great principles Of civil liberty-that
permits no prostitution of it's columns to
merely party or personal ends that
firmly. justly and Independently advo-
Gates the public interests-for such u
press, we must all give the need of ad-
miration md respect. Upon such q
press-intelligent, fair, honest and truth
ful-the world does not hesitate to let
fall some of it's choicest honors. What,
now, may we ask-for the inquiry is
made pertinent by tho events surround
ing us-what are the leading character
.istics of true journalism?
Journalism should be truthful. It
may be affirmed that truth is the basis
of everything that is valuable, substan-
tial and enduring.
No journalism founded upon error
and falsehood can, in the long run,
maintain itself or. avail aught in the way
of either use or influence. Whatever
appearance of dignity and decency it
may put on will wear away-its real fca-
lures will appear in all their deformity,
and it will at last be despised and repn-
dated. It has passed into proverb
that truth is mighty and will prevail"
This saying is eminently true in its ap-
:plication to journalism. The journalist.
in his arguments, in his statements, in
his purposes, should seek the truth.
Nor should party considerations, or
prejudice, or passion. or self-aggrandize-
ment, be suffered to blind his eyes or
warp his Judgment. The great mass Of
the people with whom the journalist
holds frequent converse are entitled to
&he truth, and. what is more. they want
dt No deoeptions should be praoticed- -
no misrepresentation indnlged in-no
allogical deductions Intentionally drawn
no false hopes held out. The plain,
unvarnished truth should high journal
ism always set forth. Then will it have
ats influence for good. Then will it
work it's noble mission. Then will it
stand as upon rock. against which even
the vexed waters will dash in vain.
Journalism, in the next place, should
be Intelligent. It is obvious that he who
undertakes to write for the public-to
indicate q political polioy-to uphold a
political organization-to influence pub.
lilo sentiment-to form or represent pub
lie opinion-in fine. to lead. enlighten
and instruct-it is obvions, we say, that
such person should be no fool-should
be we'll informed, versed in history, phi
losophy and governmental theories; of
cool, deliberate judgment-at once q
thinker and practical man. Intelli-
gent journalism involves no little know
ledge OF men and things, and no little
reflection.
Journalism, again, should be cou-
yageous. Above all things must the
Journalist be independent, and, to be in
dependent, one must have the element
Of courage. No coward-no temporiz.r
lis fit to exercise the functions of the
Journalist He, above all men. should
be prepared, when duty demands it. to
criticise. to expose, to assail, to de-
Aounce. Never bringing, never fawning,
he should uphold the public interests,
whether opposing the olamors of the
mob or the darkling rage Of the tyrant.
Afraid only to be in the wrong. he should
stand out in bold relief the unpurchased
and unpurohaseable champion of the
rights. the honor and the welfare of the
community in whose behalf he may be
battling. Moderation, discretion, pru-
dence. are qualities which, of course,