The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-06-26
The NeWapaper preas.

fountain send forth, at the same place,
sweet water and bitterY" The subject Of
his discourse was the character aud inau-
ence Of the newspaper press of this coun-
try. He said, in substance
Much chat shall say viii be in the
form Of criticisms Of the average news
paper Of our times, freely concede that
there are many papers to which those
criticisms do not apply. Saeh viii not be
disturbed BY discussions like that upon
which we are about to enter. There can
be no question as to the great value Of
honest, able, aud well-condueted newspa-
pers. They are among the best fruits of
an advanced civilization. Every such
press Is fountain sending forth sweet and
living waters, and It takes its place side by
side with the Church and the school as an
agent for cnlightening and blessing the
world. A good newspaper is as necessary
to a family as pure air, and wholesome
food and drink. Among the prevalent
faults Of newspapers notice:
Their iuIpertinent intcrmeddling with
the private affairs of individuals and fam
lilies. The possession Of printing press
releases no one from the obligation to
mind his own business. individuals and
families have secrets with which the out
side world has no right to intermeddle.
1t is shame that newspapers should ever
be degraded by retailing gossip aud scan
dal
The personalities in which they indulge.
Bitter and seurrilous quarrcls among edi-
tors are often obtruded upon the public.
Such terms as knaye and liar are banded
to and fro. have lately seen in daily
newspaper prominent citizens described by
the following epithets; "Moral infdel,"
"0ld persimmon-iaced hypocrite," "Illus-
trious and grandiloquent blatherskite
These personalities are a stream of very
bitter water.
The unfair treatment of political oppo-
nents is serious cause of complaint. The
press is not called upon to expose the
frailties of private citizens, but it may
speak the truth about those who ask to be
elected to public Office The truth should
be proclaimed with candor and deeency.
No newspaper is justified in uttering false
hoods about political opponents, or in
dishonesty defending political friends Do
l exaggerate when / say that the public
have ceased to expect truth from political
papers? They have become so unjust
and uncandid in their treatment Of oppo-
nents that they are fast losing their infu-
ence with the people. The abuse Of pub
lie men has been carried to such an
extent that many of our best citizens re-
fuse to be candidates for office.
The accounts Of vice and crime which
occupy so large space are highly objec-
tionable. 1t may be necessary for class
of persons to collect and examine the
statistics of crime as it is for another class
the diseases Of the human body, but the
accounts of horrid and unnatural crimes
with which the papers are filed cannot
fail to defle the public mind and consci-
ence. Sensational descriptions of robbery,
arson. rape, and murder are not fit to be
read outside of brothel. The yellow
covered literature which we hear so much
about is not much worse than the police
reports published in many papers claiming
to be respectable,
Not few of the daily papers allow
their columns to be used to promote i'm
morality. Intemperance is promoted by
calling attention to the business Of the
drunkard maker, and gambling is encour-
aged by advertising lotteries and gift CON
certs. Ignorant charlatans, by their So
called "medical advertisements, are per
mitted to persuade men and women that
they can violate the laws of God with
impunity. The personal Notices" il is
hard to speak of in fitting terms before
promiscuous congregation. They are used
as means for promoting lieentiousne, $.
The evils l have spoken of are of slow
growth, and the most we can hope is that
they may be gradually corrected. 1t is to
be remembered that the public who
patronize a newspaper are largely respon-
sible for its character. The publishers
aim to furnish an article that will sell. /
venture to suggest few methods by
which the evils we are dep loring might be
corrected. Every person who writes for
newspaper might be required to append
his proper name to his articles, but on this
point speak rather tentatively than dog
matically. The impersonality of the press, |
while il has its advantages, is constantly
operating in many ways to the public
detriment, and chiefly by giving a fictitious
Importance to the utterances of worthless
men. If We knew who the Bohemian was
who hides behind the editorial, we would
often care nothing for opinions and predic-
tons which now mislead u.s. More string
ent laws for the punishment of libel are
needed in many of the States. Editors
should also be held to moral and social
responsibility for the character Of their
journals If they send out sheets adapted
TO the atmosphere Of grog-shops and
brothels, they are doing the work of
blackguard, and should be consigned to
blackguard's place and excluded from de-
cent society.
The chief method of reforming the
abuses Of the press is, however, for respec-