The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-05
The Obligations of journalism TO
Religion.

htllklOus
OREsrEs A. BRowNsoN Is man OF ability,
nnqucstionably. Formerly a free.thinker,
he If now an enthusiastic Roman Catholic,
and is one OF the most vigorous, If not
always one OF the wisest aud most prudent,
writers among American Catholics. He Is
man Of power, conviction, earnestness,
religious devotion, and much literary ca
pacity. For many years Mr.. BRowNsoN
has edited Brolcnson's Quarterly Rerie,c.
With the exception Of eight years, since
ls45 he has defended the Catholic faith in
his Rerielc. which has the distinction from
other quarterles, that IL Is all substantially
the work of the editor himself. Therefore,
now that he announces that failing health
and eyesight impaired prevent his per-
forming his literary labors, we are pre-
pared for the further announcement that
his Repiep will no longer be published
As he says in his valedictory, Others may
publish quarterly review far more valu-
able than mine has been, but no other man
tan produce BrolcnSon's Quarterly Re
Uielr." Mr.. BRowNsoNs retirement neces-
sarily means the end of the review which
he has made so distinctively his own.
In the October number of his Rerieic-
the last number-Mr. BRowSsoN devotes
his leading article to protestant Journal
ISM, in which ne finds nothing to praise,
but much to condemn. With this we have
nothing TO do, but when, without rhyme
or reason, he brings into such an article an
assault upon THE SUN for irreligion, we
beg TO enter IA protest.
Talking of so-callcd independent jour-
l..~-
other newspapers. Mr. BRowNsoN says;
81, can snord TO have no unpopular princlple. Or TO
TO have principles. especially religious princt
any oas GsfS a PIlls een ar, Of T IRE pa
,sf, nS' 10 po. es,9n Of la sh sSr sha Ny
good a. none at all lie influence IN regard @ re-
OF perfect indinerenIsm lie religion Is seeularsm;
the great Interests Of soeie1y a even Tic partisan Or
sectariAn press"
This does not rightly represent the govern
Ing motives Of a true aud honest indepen-
dent journalism, and it certainly totally
misrepresents those of THE SUS. A news
paper TO gain and keep influence must
always have decided principles. The alb
sence Of such principles may sometimes go
with success in obtaining circulation, but
never with success in obtaining strong
the latter, q newspaper is only "a bulletin
of news, a vehicle of exciting or entertain
ing reading to feed mems thirst for occur
ring facts or appetite for pleasant OF stimu-
lative writing. The newspaper which
makes itself felt on its time which con-
tributes to guide popular opinion, To mould
thought, to awake en- slumbering consciences,
aud TO fix the drift OF parties, is the only
one which deserves the dignity OF place
I'm what is called journalism-a term which
includes vastly more than the collecting
and printing of news. To be such an intiu-
ence, it is of first Importance that the jour-
nal should have decided principles. So far
from not affording to have any principles
IL cannot afford to get along without prin-
ciples, and those fixed and palpable to its
readers. Those readers OF The SUN who
do not discover that 1t is governed by priu-
clples clear and pervading, must be poor
dscerners of motives and careless judges
of the ends for which writing is done. II
Mr. BRowksoN is such u reader, he is an
exception to the hundreds of thousands
who look TO The SUN for honest opinions,
ana give it their confidence because they
zee it is inspired by II definite purpose, and
'i~oho w oNNNhPA'h 10 OhNo
As to religious principles, these may not
be so easily discovered in journal "a the
moral and political but their presence
should not fail to be eventually felt. II Is
not our office to preach the doctrines Of a
church. as 1t Is Mr.. BRowHsoN's. But the
religious motives which govern his work
may not the less on that account be APP
parentin ours. 1t is, moreover, II positive re-
ligion that we preach We have combated
with all our strength that purely senti-
mental religion which Mr.. BEEoHER ex-
pounds in Brooklyn, wherein the cultiva-
lion Of the feelings is made to take the
place OF obedience to COPS laws moral
and spiritual. Why is 1t that we so per-
sstently keep up our assault on this man
of Plymouth Because having violated
the laws of Con and man he darts to claim
tho right, with his sins uncontessc and
unatOned for, TO preach the gospel which
" his daily and hourly condemnation. IL
he has found a religion which justifes his
conduct, then we say It Is not the Christian
religion, and that he the preacher OF the
new gospel OF disregard OF the divine laws
which all Christians, however separated by
Fccts, hold in common 90 be OF first obllga.
non, shonld get down out of Christian
pulpit, II he wishes to continue his minis
trations, be should transfer them 20 one
Avowedly the rostrum OF Beeoherlsm only,
Whatever his words may be, however
fluent his use of the terms of Christianity
be cannot he the exponent OF that rlgor,
Gus faith which holds up US his punish,
hent eternal torments.
We arc not tho enoouragers OF indlffer-
entism or seeuarsm. We rather exhorl
men to look above for aid TO lift them out
OF the sitting air Of msterial interests, 4
hold their purity Of Soul a. OF higher ac
count than their mopentary gain, to recog