Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-08-08
AMERICAN JOURNALISM.

1t j. universally conceded that there IS
no more powerful agency in the formation
of public opinion than the press. If the
tone Of the press was universally of Il high
toned character, the tone of society would
undergo a marked improvement. If the
press was to Join in cOndemning cOrrup-
ton in all its hideous forms, it would not
stalk boldly through the land at midday
AS it frequently does, but would hide itsell
under cover of darkness, or cOntine itseh
to quarters where decent men never visit.
No class of men have a weightier respOn-
SibiIity resting upon them in this behalf
than those connected with the press of the
country and none should be held TOT more
rigid accountability.
There is nothing that has tended with
such force to bring discredit upon Ameri-
can journalism, as the mercenary charac-
ter of many men that are engaged in the
profession. The standard should be ele-
waited. A man who makes merchandise
of his principles; who will advocate any
measure for pay who is always =" for safe
to the highest bidder should be excluded
from the society of gentlemen, and regard
ed with the scorn and contempt which his
sordidness richly merits, from those en-
gagged in the profession, who desire to see
it high-toned honorable and useful
How many editors are there in the coun-
;rv whose mouths are closed to corruption
in high places? For small cOurtesies and
,- mall nav ,,,oDI- N aLyTSDaTnr m on tuTn
a deaf ear to what they know to be sub
versive of the peoples rights, and will
cover up deeds which if impartially inves-
tirated would consign the perpetrators
thereof to quarters within a prison cell,
instead of rewarding them with the thou.
sands which they, under cover OF oificii.
position, are purloining from the hard
earnings Of those who pay the taxes.
How many men are there in these latter
days, who for fifty dollar advertisement
inserted in their papers. or who fear the
loss of official patronage from the Federal
Government State or corporation, or for
a railroad pass or gratuitiOus hotel fare.
are prevented from saying or doing what
they know to be their duty as public Jour
nalists.
The fact is, and every one knows it, that
there are too many men following the
professional journalism in America, whose
brightest ambition is to get the dollars and
cents, and who don't care a straw about
principle. 1t is matter of business wit;
them, 20 the utter exclusion of principle.
They will stab their frienls, SANDER the
innocent or eXcuipate the guilty for
money. They will condemn what is right
and excuse or justify what is wrong, if. by
50 doing, they can make more money than
by pursuing the course of honest men. 1t
is such things Is these that brings Ameri-
can journalism into disrepute, and eXer-
cises a very injurious influence on society
Those connected with the press, who feel
an interest in its good name and character.
owe it to themselves TO discard men who
would engage in the profession, only to
prostitute its high privileges to the ac-
romplishment of base and sordid ends.
But well-disposed men connected with
the profession cannot correct the evils by
Themselves. They must have the aid an,
cooperation of the people. The readin!
public must refuse to patronise men who
make merchandise of principle. Honesty
and integrity must be required as ne
cessary qualities in the men who
un lertake to furnish food for the
public mind to digest Let the man
who puranes a fearless and manly course