The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-10-18
PRosTTTUTING THE PRESS

indeed, the position is
one of honor, influence and response
Good morals, the welfare,
peace and prosperity, as well as the
intelligence and refinement of the
people, are largely moulded and in
%fluence by the public press. That
the newspaper is a power in this
country, surpassed by no other, can,
not be disputed. 1t is therefore
gratifying to witness, mere and more
each day, that those who have as
sumed these duties and responsible
ities are coming up to a full appreci-
alton of its wonderful power for
good. Hence we see the press as
Stunning an independence and an out
spoken honesty that it has not here
totore claimed: and just as this man
ly spirit grows and becomes more
general, will the influence ofthe news
paper be increased and become
more beneficial, thereby fulfilling its
great mission. There are public
journals still in existence, however,
whose only aim and highest ambi-
tion seems to be to serve the party of
which they have assumed to be the
organ, no matter at what sacrifice of
truth and principle. These prints
in this progressive age of journal
ism are not only an eye-sore to the
profession, but they very oon sink
to their own level, become the organ
or mouth-piece of some corrupt ring
or faction, and grow to be a stencil
in the nostrils of an intelligent, re-
fined and truth-loving community.
Men are not created, neither do they
grow to be, perfect beings: and as
parties are composed of individuals,
it follows as a consequence that par
ties are by no means fallible, and es-
pecially is this so of political parties.
1t is therefore humiliating to witness
these time serving editors condoning
and covering up all the mistakes and
misdeeds of their respective parties
and at the same time condemning,
in language long and loud, every act
and move of their opponents. 1t is
indeed painful to see editors of cul-
ture and intelligence SO far forget
their own manhood, as well as the
courtesy due the intelligence and
good judgment of their readers, as
to attempt to palm off upon the com
munity, mass of assertions that
cannot be substantitated in any one
important particular, and which
must eventually injure, rather than
oOlNC, ou0 SduoC VI SduuIudGt lOI
which they labor. 1t is indeed draw
ing largely upon the credulity OIL the
supposed ignorance of his readers
for an editor to imagine, that because
he may give a certain measure or
candidate his endorsement, that the
community will accept his ipse dinit
as final, and act accordingly. That
day has passed. The people read
and form their own opinions, and the
journal which points out and expos
es the faults and mistakes of the par
ty which it represents, and helps to
keep it pure and honest, best sub
serves the interests of the party, as
well as the public generally, and at
the same time saves its own self-re-
spect. What the people want in
these days is the truth. They well
understand that it is a faithful OBJ
servance of well defined and correct
principles, coupled with honesty and
integrity of purpose, that makes the
party, and gives it its force and vi
tally. Men consider that the time
has come, when principle, as we'll as
fealty 20 party, demands of them a
conscientious discharge Of the right
of franchise, and they will not vote
for men who are disqualified, cor
rupt, or unfit for the position for
which they are nominated. And it
is well for those who are pulling the
wires and manipulating things gen.
eraly to understand this.