The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-08-01
Paw Paw, MIcuIeAS, August |, 1873.

PAW PAW, MICHIGAN, august L, lC' D.
The high and honorable position Of the
neyspaper editor, and tho power he Yields 10y
iudlcious management OF his journal, invests
him with an Importance and responsibility
second TO none outside OF the executive depart
ments OF tie National Government. The
editor can build up, break down or change
public opinion at WILL The people rely upon
the press ior information. When conducted
with intelligence and an honesty OF purpose,
ii becomes to the MASSES what the compass is
to the mariner. or what the teacher is to his
pupils. The editor is a public instructor, and
has nation OF ntellects at his bidding. The
thoughts of other public men are spoken and
forgotten, while those OF the editor are stamped
indelibly upon tho pages OF his daily or weekly
issue. and become permanent addition to the
general intelligence of the millions. II his own
conceptions are pure and noble, and his pur-
poses honest, he will possess an influence OF
immense force in exposing corruption wherever
found aud will exhiblt RS authors to the pub
lc view in their true light while, or the other
hand. he viii be among the first TO endorse
and support the honest statesman and politician
IN their efforts to advance the best interests Of
society. Like the wise ruler, he will ever be
"a terror TO evil doors and a praise to them
that do we'll"
The pecuarities OF that important class OF
inteects in the community by which the daily
and weekly press is controlled, are generally
so distinctly marked and indelibly stamped up
on their issues that an analysis become mat
OF no considerable labor. Among them are a
very large class who can, with strict propriety,
be termed model journalists.
The model journalist has an ambition to ex
Gel Ia every department OF his noble profess
sion. He has due appreciation of his position
as q public man. IL he controls one OF the
Leading dailies of the large cities, he has
proper sense of tho immense influence under
his control. lie has two objects in view, the
success Of his journal and the elevation of the
communities within the reach of his circulation
He may not have the time to contribute large
~ himself TO his editorial columns, but he Is
careful to employ those only whose principles
are in harmony with his own, and lie will strike
ordinates each In his own department OF the
work, will harmonize with his views, and the
entire mental labor bestowed upon the sheet
day after day, will be consistent and high tom
ed, and calculated to elevate the intellectual
aud moral standard of society. Murders and
murder trials, police court reports, and every
thing that tends to familiarize the public mind
with CRIME, will be carefully excluded, while
his paper will be made up with conscientious
regard to those principles and teachings the
dissemination of which will tend to make man
KIND better and happier, and inspire each indi-
yiduGl with higher and nobler aims in his daily
transactions and intercourse with his fellow
men.
Tho model editor who presides over daily
or weekly paper in less populous communities.
will be no LEGS scrupulous than the controlling
gerius OF hIs big city contemporary. lie will
do more Of the editorial work himself. and lie
vail write with scrupulous regard to the best
interests Of the community III which he lives
and labors. And while his paper will never
lack entertainment and instruction, it will never
contain q paragraph or a sentence calculated.
unnecessarily, to wound the feelings of sim
gle individual. Ii there is room for new
factory in the village, he will call attention to
the FAC. and enforce upon capitalists the public
importance Of manufacturing enterprise. If a
new school-house is required or public park
is NEEDED, OF a new street should lie opened. or
old ones improved he will epforce each and ali
OF these, and similar necessary improvements,
until lie has educated public opinion up to a
resolution to "go in " for the accomplishments
OF the objects contemplated. The model editor
n either the city, town, or village Is a public
benefactor, and can, and generally does do
more for the advancement of the community
than any other man within the circle reached
by his daily or weekly issues.
AZ tue model Journalist always has his mind
engaged 10 the nobler purposes indicated, he
will have neither time nor inclination to con-
descend to personal CONTROVERSY. He will
never admit personal attacks into bis own Jour-
nal, or condescend to reply to those aimed at
hlrn, elf by less scrupuious edtfors