The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-05-30
.2AlI0PR ESS

f
| a -AiIOPR ESS 70 s. s
DeIi1ered5 before the Ed5tori0l
!. 81. - iG0ssceutio1a1 at IHGs4,c3s,s
-. ssed nGy 9th, 1879. u55ets
- Iol n051esY ID. lpg 4adt {
r BY J. K. RuKENBRoD, ESQ. .'5'
10 0f1ogggi{ - sliaii4R sat - 81
The Local ! Press-Its Success
iEa 1ss and its Mission. ,xss
ssAtb the November meeting of our
Association, i was selected to deliver
/ the address on the occasion of our
| present assembling together. I at
Itempt the duty assigned me. without
apology. believing each one should
contribute something, be it ever SO in
different, toward the Advancement for
| which we are banded together
eal ] have selected for my theme, sfIhe
Local Press-Zts Success and ats HIS
sion" In the discussion OF a subject
so important and SO prolific, but com
| paratively few thoughts can be enlar-
tiged upon in az single discourse. 1
shall however, endeaYof to gather
some of the practical truths which
years of experience of successful Jour
! nalists have developed and apply
them to our own advantage. fs'f1H
/ .b9nekt48AsS-2 t.5la % fa3SSF ytiEf
ar a THE NEWSPAPER -.gsds +
| A newspaper, especially the local
sheet, finds its way regularly into the
place of business and into the house
hold 1t is read by old and young ;
its assertions are received as true,
mostly without investigation or ques-
I tioning, and its influence in the COM
munity, as regards future develop
| ments, is greater than many think, or
are willing to admit. aaal - &
| 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
I bad, did not pass away in the taper S
| flame. A thousand persons may
have been similarly influenced by the
same paragraph, for the newspaper,
as an Instructor or adviser, does not
require to be sought, but comes to
you in your Office, in your counting
room, sin the workshops, and in the
seclusion and quietof the home circle.
Whilst it every where imparts knowl-
edge, it,none the less creates opinion.
More than two score years ago, the
historian Bancroft said: sfThe Press
was the controlling agency in renoVa-
| ting civilization, SURPRISING in the ex-
tent and effectiveness of its teaching
lessons of the academy and the pull
/ pitt I'd s.ssitlas 45ae8
EDITORIAL REsPoNsIBILITIEs. a.
How important, therefore, proper
appreciation of your editorial duties
and responsibilities In no mean
fsense, the true editor belongs to the
/ people, and his paper is notaltogether
his own. Public confidence is repos-
ed in him. Through his columns he
presents and impresses his opinions
on every reader. His ideas thus in
fuence The thoughts of thousands in
Eevery station of life, and the silent
power he wields is felt imperceptibly
it may be-. yet none the less certainly,
throughout the entire community or
county in which he lives, IS ssg.s
Be. careful, then. Never betray this
trust by prostituting your journal to
evfr or to selfish, revengeful or lille
gitimate purposes. Never write
paragraph you do not believe to be
true; and stand unswerVingly by
what you write. Be positive: think
for yourself: rely upon your own
judgment: be independent in the con-
troll OF, your editorial columns. Fear
lessly denounce the wrong-prompt-
tlys commend the right. Have no
friends to reward with special favors
ftbrough your, columns, or personal
enemies to punish. Treat public men
with fairness. Ii, In your judgment.
hthey deserve commendation, bestow
it freely, judiciously; if condemna-
ton, pronounce it unhesitatingly,
fearlessly. - gEsfs fo
| Whilst in a great degree a leader,
let not the man be sunk in the parti-
san, or the editor obscured by the
demagogue. rRebuke wrong and ex-
pose corruption in your own political
organization,l eYena more promptly
than in the rival party. Make bad
men, everywhere, in any position,
| fear exposure through your columns.
In the duties and obligations of the
sanctum, be sure you are right, then
GO ahead in the face of opposition and
threats. You will make enemies, but
only of such whose friendship would
| per respected for its moral tone, its
ing, its high aims, its uniform, consis-
/ SCHl OOuisC1 1ld bllC LII uiHCSo VI 4ho
| principles. Inscribe on your banner,
and be true to your inscription:
Here shall the Press the peoples right main
Unawed BY influence, and unbribed by gain;
| Here Patriot Truth her glorious precepts draw
Pledged to Religion. to Liberty, and LAW
EXTEND YOUR ACQUAINTANCE.
If you would retain and increase
your influence don't play the hermit.
Go out among the people, seek more
than street acquaintance with busi-
ness men. Cali on them occasional
ly at their shops, stores, offices and
manufactures. Talk to them con-
cerDing the trade or profession in
which they are engaged, and thus get
new ideas which may be put in shape
of ''knowing" little locals. Make the
acquaintance of intelligent, progress
i've farmers in your county. Visit
them now and then. Make note of
what you see and learn-tell it to your
readers the next week, and "what you
know about farming" may be regard
ed equal to the knowledge possessed
by the philosopher of the New York
| Tribune
Nearly every go-ahead tiller of the
soil has q speciality in agriculture.
Persuade him to write you an article
for publication, on his peculiar hobby,
over his own signature. His neigh
Dor, dissenting from his views, OIL
who is devoted to some other depart
ment OF plan, will desire his faverite
4 theory or nractice also nresented md