Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-04-21
Thus Far Shalt Thou Go.

If it will not be at the risk of advertising
them, We should like to speak briefly con-
corning certain phases of journalism that are
becoming altogether too popular. There is
such thing as absolutely illicit literature
which from its sheer vileness is quickly sup
pressed. But there is another quality of
journalism, not quite pronounced enough in
its references to be strictly illegitimate but
which from its very suggestiveness is ten.iold
more dangerous and powerful. Occupying
the border-land between the pure aud i'm
pure, it escapes the penalty Of the law while
it accompishes its perfect work in minister
ing to, and educating, depraved and vi
ciOus taste. Such papers exist in this state
and-let the truth be blushed at-have
large circuations. Their columns arc open
to whatever is sensational, personal and
"squinting." If the editor happens to be
without established correspondents to sponge
up the dregs and Stops of various localities,
he chases about himself after the choice It'd
bits of scandal and viands of gossip with
which to chasten his readers Imagination.
Now We know that the peculiar glory OF
Vermont abroad has always been her high.
toned public sentiment, her wholesome public
opinion. But by as much as these papers
are patronized, by precisely so much is the
average tone of public and private morality
vitiated. There is 4 journal west Of
the Connecticut river and east of Lake
Champain, in which paper, it is known, the
reputation of about any man in the state
may be smirched. Indeed it is almost odium
for mans name even to appear in that
paper. 1t is, so to speak, general recepta.
cle-something like the witches caldron-iu
which all kinds of garbage may be mixed.
No paper ought to be condemned simply
on the ground Of its politics. Without
party organs there would be a sad lack Of
balance in political opinion. But when the
policy Of an organ hinges on abuse and
doubtful aluson, that paper is no more fl
to enter household than viper. lie must
be man of pitiful limitations who is inca,
pable of finding wholesome dishes Of thought
or news outside of a sty or stable. If any
influence in the world ought to be kept clean
that influence is the press, and certain degen
eracy is sgnifed when the indicate GOSSIP
of the street aud the low puns of the bar
room become the staple stuff out Of which a
newspaper is made. 1t is no eTtenuatiou
whatever to say that the public demand
such items. Is there no higher law thar
mems desires and appetites Does not hui
man nature of itself drift rapidly enougI
toward the Niagara of evil without being
towed aud pushed thither by public teachers
If heather nation gave homlock to it
greatest moralist for his improved corruption
Of the youth, what manner Of pun ishmen
ought Christian community to mete out t
the shameless publisher Of what is unani
mously deemed unseemly2 But the sam
editors that dredge up every private scan
dal, traffic largely in libel and SANDER
The dull, reckless, sordid souls have read NJ
lesson in the Vineland tragedy but continu,
to quench the leverish thirst for sensation al
any hazard. 1t seems never 70 have dawne,
upon their dim and narrow visions that som
truth is not for placards aud that it is not tn
part of duty to expose whatever is. Their
are certain general principles that gain n
additional emphasis by the eternal recital Q
their petty illustrations.
To these editors nothing of course can b
effectively said. There they aro-well