Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-05-22
THE CHRONICLE
ADDRESS OF J. X. RUKENBROD,
or Salem, o., to the Editorial COnven-
lion at Warren, Ohio, May 9th, 1872.
THE LOCAL PREss-ITs SUCCESS AND ITS
MISSION.

hAOh 1A W Gl OAAtOs MAY Jlue 10 :
THE LOCAL PREss-ITs SUCCESS AND 1T
MISSION.
At the November meeting OF our Assoeia
tiOn, Twas selected to deliver The address OF
the occasion ofour present assembling to-
gether. attempt the duty assigned me
without apology, believin g each one should
contribute something, be it ever SO indiffer
ent, toward the advancement for which VI
are banded together
l have selected for my theme, ''THs Loca
Press-Es Success aud It's Mission In
the discussion of subject so important and
SO prolific, but comparatively few thought:
can be enlarged upon in single discourse
1 shall however, eudeavor TO gather some oi
the practical truths which years of expert.
ence of successful journalists have developed
and spply them to our own advantage.
THE NEWSPAPER.
A newspaper, especially the local sheet,
finds its way regularly into the place Of bus.
iness and into the household. It is read by
old and young; its assertions are received
as trde, mostly without investigation or
questioning, and its influence in the commu-
nifty, as regards future developments, is
greater than many think, or are willing 10
admit
1t may be hurriedly perused. and then
torn into lamp-lighters, but the thoughts it
silently dropped into the mind of the reader,
for good or bad, did not pass away in the ta-
per's fame. Athousand persons may have
been similarly influenced by the same para
graph, for the newspaper, as an instructor
or advisor. does not require TO be sought, but
comes TO you in your office, in your count
ing room, in the workshops, and in the Sc
elusiOn and quiet of the home circle. Whilst
1t everywhere imparts knowledge, it none
the less creates opinion. More than two
score years ago, the historian Bancroft said
1.-The Press was the controlling agency in
renovating civilization, surprising in the
extent and effectiveness Of its teaching the
lessons of the academy and the pulpit
EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
How important, therefore, a proper appre.
citation of your editorial duties and respon-
sibilities! In no mean sense, the true edi-
tor belongs to the people, and his paper is
not altogether his own. Public confidence
is repOsed in him. Through his columns
be presents and impresses his opinions on
every reader. His ideas thus influence the
thoughts of thousands in every station of
life, and the silent power he wields is felt
imPercePtably it may be, yet none the less
certainly, throughout the entire communi.
ty or county in which he lives
Be careful, then. Never betray this trust
by prOstiluting your journal to evil; or to
selfish, revengefuI or ilIegitimate purposes.
Never write paragraph you do not be-
lieve TO be true and stand unswervingly BY |
what you write. Be positive: think for
yourself: rely upon your own judgment:
be independent in the control of your edito-
rial columns. Fearlessly denounce the |
commend the right
Have no friends To reward with special Ia
VOrs through your columns, or personal enc
mics to punish. Treat public men with
rsirness. If, in your Judgment, they de.
serve commendatiOH, bestow it freely, ju-
lieiOuslyi IF condemnation, pronounce it
fearlessly.
Whilst in u great degree a leader, let not
he man be sunk in the partisan, or the edi-
Tor; Obscured by the dsnlagog'se. Rebuke
wrong and expose corruption in your own
political organization, even more promptly
han in the rival party. Make bad men,
everywhere, in any position, fear exposure
through your columns. In the duties and
OF the sanctum. be sure you are
light, then go ahead in the face Of opposi-
ion and threats. You will make enemies,
'ut only of such whose friendship would be
IN injury to you Make your paper respee-
ed for its moral. tone, its true manliness,
he dignity ofits bearing, its high aims, its
inform, consistent course. and the frmness
# its principles. Inscribe on yolr banner,
nd be true to your inscription:
"Here shall the Press the peoples right maintain.
Unawed by influence, and unbribed by gain
Here Patriot Truth her glorious precepts draw
Pledged to Religion, to Liberty, and Law"
EXTEND YOUR ACQUAINTANCE.
IfyOu would retain and increase your in
uence don't play the hermit. Go out
mOng the people, seek more than street
cquaintance with business men. Call on
hem occasionally at their shops. stores, of.
ices and manufactures. Talk TO them con-
erning the trade or profession in which
hey are engaged, and thus get new ideas {
which may be put in the shape Of "know- {
ng" little locals. Make the acquaintance
fintellgent, progressive farmers in your {
ounty. Visit them now and then. Make !
no.e of what you see and lcarn-tell it to
our readers the next week, and "what you {
now about farming" may be regarded equal
0 the knowledge possessed by the phiiosO- {
her OF the New York Tribune.
Nearly every go-ahead tiller of the soil :
as a specially in agriculture. Persuade
i'm 10 write you an article for publication,
n his peculiar hubby, over his own sigma
lre. His neighbOr. dissenting from his !
Jews, or who is devoted to some other de-
artment or plan, will desire his fayorite
neOry Orpractice also presented, and you
I'LL thus, probably, get two cOmmuniea-
ions instead of one. These correspondents
ill be sure to take your paper, and induce
theirs to subscribe for it.
Also write your own observations of your !
zcursion-give impressions received of the +,
eople and neighborhoods you visited, with
lch comments and suggestions as NAV
rike your mind. When your paper reach /;
! the localities where you have been it will t
Q read with the greatest interest. Extfs '
opies win be wanted 10 show 10 neighbors b
nd to send TO friends. As often as these e
zeal journeyings are made, you will come L
ONE with improved health-new ideas Il
ew subscribers advance pay enes of course) {
-snd with many pleasant and valuable "
l., r