The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-11-27
DEFENSE OF THE GALVESTON
NEWS.

The Galveston Nelrs has at last under
taken to defend its late treachesy to the
Democratic party by publishing, on the eve
of the election, the long circulars of De
Gress and Newcomb for a moneyed consid-
Grafton. It's issue of last Saturday contains
all it can say in explanation and excuse
of its conduct, which has called down
on its head the general denuneiation of the
honest Democratic journals. These are
represented by the model Nelcs as spite
fully bowling from their kennels" and 1un-
worthy of response. Why then does the
Nens undertake to vindicate its course at all9
Is it feeling of self-reproach IN spite of
all its assumed bravado9 Is it to stife the
twinges of consciencel Truly it had better
have pocketed its illgotten gains and re-
NAMED silent. Its labored defense is as
weak as dish-water, and not bit cleaner.
It's positions are unsound in politics and IN
n1orals-they stink of disease and corrup-
ton. It's ''truisms" are not true.
Take the following:
''Another function of newspaper is to
furnish a convenient medium for those who
wish te communicate with the public. But
it cannot afford to render this service free
of charge. The first practical consideration
with it is to exist on a self-sustaining basis,
and to realize fair profit on the capital en-
ployed to carry it on. It is no more incum-
bent on a publisher to give away his adver-
Using space or his news than it is imcum-
bent or a merchant to give away his goods.
Accordingly, to perform the functions
above indicated, q newspaper agrees to adj
NIT into its columns, for designated prices,
miscellaneous communications in the nature
of advertisements. The only restriction
with regard to such matter is that it shall
not be offensive to public decency or per
sonally ibellousn
This view of 1.-THE business and functions
Of anewspaper" is notcorrect, even in news
paper protesting to be Independent in poll
tics, which the Meas has never heretofore
pretended to be. A newspaper should not
furnish convenient medium" for an
''who wish to communicate with the pub
lie, y without regard to the matter commu-
nicated, provided it is paid for. Whenever
il does, it disregards its high mission and
becomes nero money making concern, in
which no confidence whatever can be placed.
Matter highly injurious to the public morals
and the public interests may thus be pub
lished without anything particularly ''of-
fcnsive to public decency or personally
hbellousn g. The newspaper that makes this
avowal, counting Improper advertisements
or communications for the sake Of filthy
lucre, puts itself out OF the pale Of high
and respectable journalism. The Nsrs
snecrs at the repugnanco Of the interior
journals" Of Texas to this modern ..fanc-
ton Of newspapers, first introduced at the
North By the New York Haal9 and now.
alas, too generally practiced there. and very
oharitably attributes it to their ignonnce
Thank Heaven for t. Nay it 30 long be-
fore the 'fnterior journals learn the news
paper morality Of the New York H,faii o.
ITS purse proud imilasor, the Galveston
Nse4 They had better remain in their
'.zennelsn and continue 90 s.srowr' &c the
big beasts il thar dens Of iniquity and
foulness
But the case againsl the Galveston 1tlrs
ia worse than tie case presented shove.
The Galveston Na,s has always prciendel
10 Be Democratic and not neatral paper.
When we have taken tie liberty Is erltei.s
is course. It has turned upon as fsrcsiy
- ..-.....t...r a. 81.