Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-08-25
THE PRESS.

in San Francisco OF Judge Of the Su-
prems Court of California sssaulting the
proprietor of newspaper that presumed
to criticise and comment on the proceed
iugs Of that Court, affords the occasion
for few plain. honest, Straightforward
words, as to the true mission OF the
press. OF late. both in America and
Great Britain, judges and courts have
been endeavoring to stide the voice of
public opinion by declaring criticism
that did not suit these Judicial function
aries to be contempt of court. This Cal
ifornia Judge Kinstry did not, however.
attempt to prostitute the power Of
the Court by making it the mere ve-
hicle Of gratifying his private malice. He
was not base enough for that; but he
was foolish enough to assault the propri-
etor OF the San Francisco Post, because
that paper had made remarks upon his
official proceedings. Now the head and
front Of the offending Of the Post, is the
performance of the real, positive, actual
duty of the press. Few people agree
about words or things, but it is from the
many sided views afforded by the public
press that enables the people to reach a
correct judgment respecting the transac-
tions of the day whether in word or
deed. Journals cannot always admire
or commend, that is if they are truthful.
To render appreciation worth anything,
it must be discriminative, and not be-
slowed with partial stupidity on all
persons and on all occasions. Its law
ishness renders it absolutely worthless
and almost an insult. For the compli-
ments that are bestowed on all corners
cease to retain any significance; and en-
tire silence would be more preferable to
person Of sense and spirit. The mis-
sion of the press then is to set down
things as they are. To hold up the mir
ror to the active varying scenes OF life,
and truthfully reproduce them without
coloring or distortion. That is the duty
of the press when acting as mere re-
porter. When acting as teacher and
advisor, then it must be guided by the
sound, well recognized and understood
rules of honor and candor, controlled by
the Away present, never-ceasing duty
of endeavoring to promote the prospect
ty, the happiness and the power of
our country. Guided by these prin-
ciples, we think the press should be
given unlimited liberty of comment
and criticism, and whether its
verdict is correct or not, it at
any rate should be allowed the
not small merit Of endeavoring to
establish the right, for its own sake,
simply because it was right. With these
propositions we think few will be found
to find fault until something appears op-
posed to their interests or desires, and
then they begin to plunge like an I'M
broken mustang. This proceeding, how
ever, will be found to be useless, and
will always recoil upon its author with
increased force. When journal as
sumes the position Of a teacher, advisor
or commentator, the most essential re-
quirements, after ability and knowledge
of the subject under discussion, are can
dor and impartiality, This very quality
of candor and plain speaking, excellent
and commendable as it is. sometimes re-
quires the announcement of some very
disagreeable truths. Yet, without it, q
newspaper would soon cease to have any
value whatever. Frequently. respect,
politeness or interest causes commenda-
tory articles to be published that are en-
tirely undeserved, but still, as nothing i'm
portant is involved, and the public inter-
est is not jeopardized, it perhaps is well
enough to crafty the harmless vanity Of
this or that person. When, however,
important principles are involved, when
journal, acting as o censor, finds it
necessary to denounce wrong and those
who commit it, then it shonld be pro-
tected and defended, because it is then
filling its most sacred duty, and by doing
80 fairly and fearlessly should earn the
respect and support of the community
wherein it is published. It then be-
comes public benefactor. It points out
the error and the means Of prevention,
and by 80 doing confers an actual, posi-.
tive benefit upon the community. This
being the case, the men who are impli.
Gated in such matters should not blame
apublic journal for performing its duty
in pointing out and condemning their
errors, but should rather condemn their
own folly for committing them. Look.
ing at the duty Of journal in this light
we shall, on all occasions, express oul
opinions of men and things, taking care
to do SO without showing the slightest
animus or i'll will for or against any one.
By pursuing this course we believe we
shall best subserve the interests of the
people, both in this locality and at large.
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