National Republican., 1876-08-14

perinduced by 'tsore head" would no
longer find ready circulation as well-ascsr-
tanned and verified scraps of history. If
they did, the public would at least have
the satisfaction of knowing who stood as
sponsor for their fabrication, and be left to
Judge of the relative credibility, as well as
respectability, of the accuser and the &C
cused. We have the best authority for
believing that sit is not that which goeth
Sin, but that which cometh out of the
s'mouth which defileth the man." Incon-
formity with this axiom, it is the slanderer,
and not the slandered, who is permanently
injured by the falsities uttered, and the
abuse and blackguardlsms that are fulmi
mated by tongue, pen and press in these
Centennial days. Yet this fact does not
hold the slanderer guiltless for his effort to
ipjure the reputation of his fellow-man.
Let US imagine for a moment what must
have been the feelings of Americans abroad
during the last few years when reading the
comments of the great New York press
upon our two last Chief Magistrates-John-
son and Grant-their personal habits and
character as well as their executive policy,
and upon the conduct of our Ministers to
the Court of st. James? Who would not
blush to read the ridiculous slanders and
structures, and feel obliged to apologize to
foreigners at every turn for the licentious-
ness of vaunted free press? What jour
nal can now be found to admit that the late
President johnson was not respectable
gentleman and an honest man and Execu-
tive? Or what New York journal can be
found to assert that the late Reverdy John
son did not acquit himself honorably and
creditably as Minister at the Court of St.
James, although the Senate failed to approve
of the treaty which he negotiated? We in
stance these two because they have passed
away from earth, beyond the reach of "mis-
representation and lies" But the same
course is now being pursued by portion
of the press toward General Grant and
Judge Pierrepont which was formerly
prevalent with regard to the deceased John
sons. 1t is not in behalf of the maligned
that these reflections are submitted. Their
regulations are happily beyond the reach
of such anonymous attacks as we have de-
scribed. But it is in behalf of the future
of the American press, which we believe
is to be the great educator of the masses as
they escape from our public schools with a
simple rudimental knowledge of the Eng
lish language 1t is in behalf of the future
voters and legislators of the country who
are 10 be thus educated The safety OF
this Republic is in the intelligence of the
people. If the people are truthful and in
dependent, self-reliant and under self con-
troll, they will be fit for this system of self
government. "He that ruleth his own
spirit is greater than he who taketh city. "
Our Government is greatly dependent for
its strength, pernanence and safety upon a
we'll grounded sense of personal response
bility among the people. Hence, the neces-
sity of being able to hold every man,
whether in public life or in private
station, responsible for his utterances
and his acts and his publications.
The press, the publisher, the author,
as well as the statesman, should be held
fast to their records. The facility for shirk-
ing responsibilities is fearfully demoralizing
everywhere, and should always be discour-
aged. Our children and youth should be
trained to read, study, reflect think and
then act for themselves. But it is all-im-
portant that the press should furnish them
the truth to read and reflect upon. This
will give Us nation of intellectual giants.
So long as we are taught to lean upon 9TH
ers and pin our faith upon our fathers
opinions, regardless of the progress of the
age, we are liable to degenerate. The re-
sponslbilities attached to the conduct Of a
daily journal are much greater than they
are generally esteemed. 1t will be happy
day for the country when all the members
of the press shall come fully to appreciate
the magnitude of their legal, personal,
moral and political responsibilities in the
same degree in which it is their delight to
sketch the duties and chronicle the short
cominps of others and of each other,