National Republican., 1878-07-06
THE MISSION OF ruE PRESS,

THE MISSION OF THE PRESS.
Journalism is peculiar and responsible
vocation, and the journalist has a mission
for good or ill., as he fulfls it under his own
tastes, accomplishments, and instincts. If
he is n man of pure mind, respectable train
ing, noble instincts, and honorable purposes,
lie will cast a bene6ccnt influence upon
those who come within the range of his eff
forts. If he is gentleman, his inculcations
will be gentlemanly and his utterances will
send forth hallowcd influence upon tho
minds Of those who look TO his daily or
weekly issue, as the case may be, for men
tai pabulum. But If he is an instructive
brute, no matter what may have been his
opportunities for intellectual training, or
what measure of talent may have been con-
ferrcd upon him by his Creator, he seldom
rises above his instincts, except spasmod-
ically, perhaps, but his brutality OF char
scter, his depraved tastes, his vicious dispo-
sition, constantly trickle through his efforts
as the malaria rises from putrtd masses
when they are agitated. The public
press, in the hands of vulgar
and brutal men. is too often made
the vehicle Of abuse, vulgarity, and traduc-
ton, under nursed malice and hatred
never satisfied until they have inflicted n
severe wound upon some hapless victim
= for malice will with joy the lie receive"
and shape its report according to its wishes
| of the truth. Out of this element Of jour
ualism spring many libel suit to vindi-
cate wounded reputation, clothed in limo
cence but suffering from the bitter shafts
OF malice, and what is peculiar in its per-
formances, while 1t stands ready to assail
the good, it is equally ready to shield the
wicked.
There have been two marked instances Of
this kind in this city within short period
of time. Tho one was an assault upon two
members of the Twelfth Street NJ. f.
Church-where private reputation and the
cause of religion were both wounded by one
blow, thus affording malice a double feast.
As this case has passed into the courts for
adjudication, we forbear further comment.
The other was the ACKLEN scandal which,
under tho best phase, lights up badly in
public and private morals. There were
facts upon which TO base that scan
dal, and facts, too, which the parties
would not care TO vent under public
gaze. They may have been exaggerated,
but the scandal was not manufactured out
of whole cloth. That ACKLEN and the
female in question were enjoying their
champagne privately at public cafe at q
time of night when most respectable people
were at home. il not in bed, is admitted.
That General RossER was called TO look
after the proceedings of these parties by
some peculiar circumstances Of the case,
there is no sort of question. That his inter-
ference led to au abrupt departure Of these
parties from the scene Of their discovery, is
equally well understood. At best, this case
, was not in the interest of social purity OF
good morals. and yet the volunteer and
cause of religion was the first to weave Q
r covering for the ACKLEN affair, and paint
it in bright and better oolors thar
tho truth would justify. That is jus
; the difference. The one effort was Il
cast shaft Mt the reputation of worthy
woman, whose greatest oifense appeared Il
be that she was q church communicant
while the other was attended with create
I zeal, if possible and was directed to tn
i screening of parties who were at dallianc,
: over bottle OF wine, and who were tn
: creators and publishers of their own scan
dial in the first instance, for there were bu
I four at most who had any cognizance of tn
q transaction, and the affair must have leake,
II out through some OF them, or 1t would hav
) remained profound secret. 1t may hav
Il been exaggerated in the public mind, bu
the bottom facts are patent even unde
ACKLEHs published yindication
" We refer to these recent occurrences in ou
J. very midst TO show to what base uses tn
e press may DO brought, when placed i
h the hands OF men of groyellng and corrup
d minds with whom vituperatiOn is NOR
r. grateful than praise, and who, with q Sa
: tanic malgnity, assail the pure and jus
Is while they cherish and defend the vile uu
= der the prOmptings of a iellow-feeling whic
l. ma krs Them wOndrOus kind