New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-12
ERRORS OF THE PRESS.

N'e "'V' 4" ~ 1-'' PhIadelphfa
The Rev. Dr. Hatfield preached last evening at
the Arch street Methodist Episcopal Church. Philadelphia
from James ill., Y Doth fountain send forth, at the
same place. sweet water and bltter Tho subject OF his
discourse was tho character and influence Of the news
paper press Of this country He said in substance:
Much that shall say will DO in the form OF criticisms
Of the average newspaper of times. freely con-
cede that there many papers to which these crlt
csms do apply. Such will not be disturbed by dis
cussions like that upon which wo are about to enter
There can be question to the great value of honest
able, and well-cOnduced newspapers. They are among
the best fruits advanced civilization Every such
press is fountain sending forth sweet and living waters
and takes its place side by side with the Church and the
school as an agent for onghtening and blessing the
world. good newspaper Is necessary to family rs
pure air, and wholesome food and drink. Among the
First Their hnpertinent intermeddng with the private
affairs of individuals and families The possession OF
his own business Individuals and families have secrets
with which the outside world has right to intermediate
1t shame that newspapers should ever DO deSfded
by retailing gossip and scandal .
Secotdly The personalities in which they indulge.
Bitter and scurilous quarTcs among editors often OBJ
truded upon the public. Such terms knaye and liar are
to n 3 EyS aS seen Sv hG G
thes moral inldel." persmnlon faced hypoere"
sOnalities a stream of very bitter water
Thdy Tho unfair treatment of political opponents Is
upon to expose the frltes of private citizens, but it
may speak the truth about those who ask TO be elected to
public Office The truth sheuld be proclaimed with
dor and dacency. No newspaper Is justified in uttering
falsoOods about political opponents or in dishonesty
defending political friends. DO exaggerate when say
that the public ceased expect truth from political
papers They have become SO unjust and uncandii in
their treatment OF opponents that they fast losing
any abused by editor TO tako club and break his
head and from his time until now club law has been
about the only available for those who suffer from
the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF the Recourse to the courts
often results in many repetliions OF the original Libel and
in the printing at last OF such an account or the trlh @
aggravaes the original oenso, while the injured party
gets verdict tho ease is appealed technicality
The abuse pDlic has been carried to such OK
tent that many OF our best citizens refuse TO DO candidates
for Office. ,,, ...
Fothiy The accounts OF vice ana crime when occupy
SO largo space are nghIy oiDcctlontple IL may DC
necessary for class OF persons TO collect ana examine
tho statistics OF CRIME rs III Is Tor anOtncf clSs tc
diseases OF the human body but the accounts OF hoIa
and unnatural crimes with which tho papers are nied
cannot fail to detlo the public mind ana conscience SEN
saonal descriptions of robbery arson rape and murder
are not fit to be read outside OF brohel The yellow