The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-21
Don't Cringe."

Under the above heading the Milford,
(Mass.) Journal has some excellent sug
gestions to newspaper editors. 1t believes
the besetting sin of far too many country
newspaper editors to be that Of cringing,
either to clique of sharp cheeky poll
ticians who assume to own the ballot boxes
and the consciences Of the people. or to one
or more wealthy individual who fatter
themselves that the concentrated, double
distilled destinies of an empire rest upon
their devoted shoulders, and that if those
martyrized shoulders should unfortunately
break down, the whole political and social
system must inevitably and Immediately
go to everlasting smash. This evil
d ,es not prevail to the same disgusting ex-
tent as formerly; but there is too much Of
it still remaining, and it does more to low
er the press in the appreciation and esti-
nation of the public than can well be esti-
mated, We speak of this cringing as a
sin, notwithstanding some editors love to
regard it rather as an art, which, as they
fatter themselves, makes their business
better, and keeps their circulation Up to
the scratch. Viewed in its best estate,
such reasoning is the shallowest humbug-
gerry. The newspaper editor who cringes
in unhallowed awe before dictatorial poll
ticians, or the golden calf Of wealth and
pompousness, sins against the noblest of all
professions, against his known duty to the
community. against his manhood,
In these latter days, when the organ
business is on Its death-bed, the success
, full newspaper is the one which, knowing
, its own duty, does it. Perhaps honest,
cool headed independence, is the term
which best expresses our meaning-not
foolish carping; not slang, nor abuse; not
an Ishmaelitish disposition; nor yet a
"Donny brook Fair mania for hitting a
head every time you see it; but fair
minded, honorable independence of thought
and action, having Cor its handspring of
action the motto do right. There was a
time when such newspapers lacked the
, the degree of pecuniary success which
seemed to nestle close to the "organish, "
miss Nancy" stamp always on the look
out to shout good Lord, good deyil,'
as the vcering of the wind might seem
to require. Then. the newspa-
| pers press was second to the profes
! sional politician, and newspaper organs
= we're almost as plenty as those of anothe,
species, and scarcely more commemorate,
But within the past few years there has
+ been wondrous clearing of the atmo.
y sphere; and to day we find the profession
, al politician in the rear, while in front Of
him stands the fearless newspaper press
power which henceforth is destined to be
first, but which none but the unfit and un
scrupulous need fear.
The country newspaper press is coming
, to its true heritage at last. Year by year
! it is becoming more and more difficult fol
bad, designing men to exercise cencor
ship over its columns. The ambition o.
every editor should be to hold his column:
aloof from even the suspicion of outside
intermeddling. This is the kind of &
newspaper press the people have Ions
waited for; now that they are to have it
their hopes and their trust will surround
it like wall of adamant. We have en-
tered upon new era, The professional
s politician has '.lost his hold" and never
again will he mount the throne to issue
J. his regal mandates to the newspaper press
v of a tree republic. In fact, the mandates
lwhen necessity demands. are more apt t.