The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-07-06
The Press.

The following extract is made from
the address by Mr.. Smith OF the Albany
Journal, before the New York State
Editorial Association THE press
should begoyerned by truth and Justice.
The editor has no more right to be false
to either in bis journal than the citizen
has in society-nny, far less, for the
mischief will be as much greater rs the
tongue is many times multiplied. Mon
taigne declared that "lying was not q
vice among the French but simply q
way OF speaking" Must We not con-
fess that sometimes in high political
campaigns or in personal crusades, the
press seems to have this way OF speak
ing? Must we not confess that some
times, through Misrepresentation or
otherwise, it comes no nearer correct
representation Of what II purports to
tell than the individual came to the
text, when attempting TO report the
text, "And IN angel came down from
heaven, and took coal from of the
altar" he got II, IAN Iniun came down
from New Haven and got hold OF q colt
by the tail and yanked him out OF his
halter" Men who would scorn the DIS
honor Of discriminating OF misrepresen.
tation in private appear 10 proceed up.
on the assumption that these things are
occasionally jnstifable before the pub.
lie. To this rule OF action there are
two conclusive objections. In the first
place, it is poor policy. Judged by the
low standard OF success, without re-
gard to the higher principles Of morali-
~, it doesn't pay. It seldom succeeds
even for the time-in the long run,
never. The candorwhich aims at justice
carries more weight than the smartness
which simply aims at the advantage.
The disposition Of fairness wins more
friends than the spirit Of cunning. Tho
people arc, for the most part, discrimi-
mating and just. The readers OF news
paper soon come TO learn whether they
can rely upon Its good faith, and its
power will be propsrtioned to It's probi.
ty and principle. In the second place,
II the prevalence OF justice and tho dis.
tortion OF truth were not prohibited by
the law Of policy, they would be for.
hidden by the code OF morality. They
violate the ethics Of Journalism. The
public has right TO soy TO tie editor:
"You are placed in position OF un.
equaled trust and influence. Youhaye
the ear OF the public. Your voice
reaches every day or every week into
thousands OF homes. Yon arc teacher,
counsellor and FREUD. And having tliil
unlueasured power your responsibility
and obligations are on the same scale.
You have no more right 10 put false
statement in print than you have "a
speak it on the street. You have nc
more right to sustain any inlquity In
your columns than you have to uphold
debauchery in your household. You
shall be judged in your public relations
by a code as rigorous as that which
should govern your private conduct
and as much more stringently applied
as the former 10 more widely Influential
than the latter. II rs citizen yot
spoke falsehood you would deserve Il
be branded liar-so as an editor. i
in private you encouraged immortality
you would deserve to be denounced u
q reprobate-so in public. II in you
personal action you supported ant
maintained q wrong, You wsuld do
serve TO be condemned for completely
so on the higher and broader plane o
journalism. You are from the very M
ture Of your position under specia
bonds, for good behavior, and II 20,
forfeit them, II you fail TO fulal the iigl
obligations which you have taken upol
yourselves, then SO much the create
shall be your condemnation"