The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-02-10

plnchers" who are to be found in our Legis
lature, and it is not by them alone that nom
lnatIcns are secured by the use of vile agen>
cies. In some counties where the Demo
C ats have large maj1rities charges of corrup-
ton Ia the management of county affairs are
freely made by Republicans, and in adjoining
counties Democratic newspapers bring the
same accusation against Republican officials.
In too many instances the press of the dom
inant party declines 10 enter into any inves-
tgation and is content Wi b the assertion that |
all such accusations ars merely the machina- |
tions of political enemies. Such policy is |
as short~sighted as it is improper. In no
way can a political party be more surely
strengthened than by the reformation of abu-
ses which may have been introduced by un-
worthy members. Unless this is done the
masses begin to think that the leaders Of each
party are alike corrupt, and are led to de-
spair Of seeing a reformation The people
know they have the power TO effect change,
but they remain helpless because they are
not taught how to use their strength. A
single newspaper might be compelled to pay
dearly in loss of subscribers for thorough
ly honest expression of opinion in reference
to the men and the measures of its party.
but no such difficulty would be encountered
if the entire political press should rise to
higher plane of thought and action. There
can be no doubt about the obligations to do
so. This is matter which must rest upon
the conscience of every political editor, and
there are few who can fail to recognize the
duties which they owe to society and to gov
ernment
If we are ever to have such reformation
in our political affairs as is devoutly desired
by every good citizen. the impulse must be
speeded by ali the power of the press
Editors of political journals must scorn to adj
vocate any improper measures they must
sternly refuse to aid unfit candidates in their
eager quest fer flee; they must denounce all
wrOng>doing and all corruption in their own
party as freely as in the opposition; they
must demand rigid economy in every depart
ment of the government, and they must
enforce the demand they must do all in
their power 20 cut up by tie roots special
legislation, which has become such a prolific
source of evil in Pennsylvania and elsewhere;
they must lead the wealthy and the working
classes to respect all the demands made upon
them by society they must induce the peo-
pc to leave their counting rooms, their farms
and their workshops to take part in primary
elections. and they must educate the masses
up to a standard Of political sentiment so
pure and so elevated that none but men of
ability and integrity will dare to present
themselves as candidates for office Men
must be taught that a nomination is not
equivalent to an election, even where mai r.
tiles are overwhelming. Dishonest officials,
all who use Office for personal profC rather
than for the public good, all who take illegal
fees, must be held up to public gaze in
their true character. There must BE no
mincing Of terms and things must be called
by their right names.
6,
plain speaking has led the Iress of Pennsyl>
vania to general expression in favor of an
amendment to the libel law. The prevail
ing opinion among the editors of the State
seems to be that while every publisher ought
to be held responsible for all he publishes, he
ought to stand guiltless when able to show
to the satisfaction of jury that he published
nothing but the truth and that the publica-
tion was made not to crafty private malice
or party spite, but. for the public good
Further than that the law Of libel ought not
to 90. AS it now stands, with the interpre-
taton of the odious Star Chamber Court Of
England upon it, our libel law is a relic of
6arbarous days and tyrannical rule. Should
it be changed in accordance with the almost
universal opinion of the press of the State,
juries would not fail to convict Offenders.
Buckle, in his work on the History Of
Civilization, says that the condition of pro-
gress is the spirit Of skepticism. The doubt
ers and growlers of an opposition press, the
disturb bers of public peace of mind, the men
who scent out corruption ana eApUsv official
misconduct in Office, prevent the continuance
OF abuses In government and cause all great
progressive steps to be made. 1t is doubt
less true that undue license is requently used
in speaking of political opponents, but it is
to be hoped there is not an editor in Penn
sylvania who would make an assault upon
the character of a public man unless he be-
lived it to be required by due consideration
for the public good and it should be stead
lily kept in mind that public good and party
good are not always synOnomous terms. As
a general thing editors are moro prone to
praise than to censure individuals. If there
is sometimes too much abuse of opponents
there is also too much hattery Of political
friends, When village lawyer is nominated
for Congress the village newspaper exhausts
the vocabulary of aiulation in sounding his
praise. He is represented to be all that is
wise, pure, eloquent and patriotic. The
newspapers of surrounding counties take up
the strain. and it often happens that the
hitherto obscure individual suddenly finds
himsolfiu the possession of a reputation which
he is unable to sustain. Who is there that
cannot call to mind such instances There
should be limit both to the abuse of pOlIti>
cal opponents and to the hattery of party
friends. 10 the language of Israel's wisest
king, who would have made a brilliant edi-
tor if he had lived in the days of newspapers,
Let us buy the truth and sell it not"
There has been marked improvement in the
manners of editors of late years. Most Of
them recognize the fact that the antecedents
and personal affairs of rivals can neither add
10 nor datract from the strength of an argu~
meIt. There is no reason why editors should
engage in personal abuse of each other ba>
cause they differ in politics. They ought
rather TO cultivate the kindliest relations
with each other Let us hope that the day
may soon come when the last Of the rival
races of Potts and Slurrs may be consigned
to oblivion, leaving not representative be-
hind them.
newspaper need not be a daily or large
sheet to acquire political Influence. In some
Al IA IL i L