Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-02-04
OUR WINTHROP LETTER.
Newspaper Ethics--Poiitics Interest
ing-.Church Natter,

ED. BULLETIN: "A friend, whose good
sense is beyond question, recently said to
the writer, MY advice would be- to allow
editors to fill their own columns" There
might he shade of sarcasm found in his
advice, but such was not the intention, as
his reason for offering it was, that person
alities and bitterness seemed, from his OBJ
| servation, to be the almost invariablc re-
suit of reporting local news. If most of
the letters found in our county papers
during the past year are evidence, the
point would assuredly be well taken, for
all who have read such, can see that the
style is Objectionable in the highest de-
gree. To hide behind Il non de plume, in
order to attack person or cause, is both
dshonorable and gentlcmanly. OPP
posing views Of current questions or
topics may be presented without using
bitter personalities or abusive words Il
every editor and writer in this our free
country could read {. S. Marshal Roe's
prize essay, published IN the lHri&ttaR
Union, on the Liberty and abuses of the
press, it would, or should be, to them II
voice of warning. A powerful portion of
the press does not scruplc to sell and pros
titute its columns for money, even to the
extent of violating the law, depending at
the same time on its unrestricted power
TO defeat and defy the laws enforcement
1t appears that in all human affairs law
prevails which obligeS those things most
Statutory to be attended by abuses nearly
eQualng their benefits; this is true of the
free ballot as well rs of the free press
Proof IS daily accommodating to show that
great peril lies in both these directions;
the escape from which will tax the best
judgment Of our lawmakers and philan-
thropists.
There is no lack at present of political
interest among the " sovereigns of this
section, IN fact, the amnesty debate brings
unmistakablc signs of the coming cleo,
ton. 1t is strange that apologsts can be
found for crimes committed by the rebels
during the war, unless sympathy for their
cause is the explanation. If secession
was the gigantic crime that these apollo
gists concede it 10 have been, then all was
criminal under it, and those most active
should bear the stigma. Pardon should
extend just so far as the peoples wish to
forgive approves; but, although time
steals from justice its proper exercise, we
do not think that the loyal North Is yet
ready to take lessons from, or honor, rs a
lawmaker, that chief of all traitors, jeff,
Davis
The Congregational Church, of this
place, received last Sabbath, an accession
to its members that is not often equalicd
in town of this size Twenty persons.
nearly ali adults, were admitted and more
are to follow. The late steady increase of
attendance upon worship and of the social
work of the church and society, the latter
resulting in the payment of debts, etc to-
gether with the spiritual awakening, is Il
genuine source of rejoicing to every friend
of truth and culture. The other churches
will also receive important additions to
their memberships One thing is certain,
we have this winter escaped the fire.
Quent disturbances peculiar to the season,
and all is as quiet as Il summers eve"
Piety and pugilism do not mix worth a
cent, and we think our taxpayers, least
would in the long run prefer the former /
We would give some legal items, but
forbear, as the field is too large for the
space that would afford it. We may re-
quire a police court reporter, or rather, a
civil court reporter, rs the mill grinds on
and on, for all the grlst Is small for the
parties concerned. Yours,
SHAKEsPEARE