National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-02-14
A Word with Correspondents.

Anybody else, OF course, can make a
newspaper better than the men to whose
lot the task has fallen. Then the freedom
of the press is interpreted to mean that
everybody has right to discuss subjects
from their own standpoints, in accordance
with their own views and interests, and in
their own terms. and to refuse them admis-
sion to the columns Of a journal is to cir
cumscribe the freedom Of the press We
are led to these remarks, as they are
prompted by case we now have in hand
A few days ago we inserted communion
ton, over the signature Of -. p" to graft
iy friend, taking occasion to express our
difference with its material position. We
supposed that ould be the last of it but
we have another friend, who felt outraged
at the sentiments uttered by ~. p, and he
became inspired with the purpose of rebuk-
ing the editor for inserting the objection
able communication, and walked into the
affections of -. Pr over the signature
of Citizen" to the extent not
only of denouncing his sentiments, but of
characterizing him as either fool or
villain We made mistake in inserting
this offensive language, for there was no
direct challenge for it in the decorous utter
ances of 81. p" though his sentiments
might be ever 80 repulsive to the sense OF
propriety of Citizen" We thank Citizen"
for the scolding he has given our editor, for
it will no doubt do him great good
Now we are brought to another trial
through this unfortunate controversy. 81
Pr don't like to be called either fool OF
a villain and under his peculiar iastidious-
ness on this point, he feels called upon to
come back at Citizen" with hat full of
bricks. If we decline to publish this reply
then we infringe the freedom Of the press
and if we publish it, then Of course Citi-
zen" will demand the right to be heard
again, and to refuse that privilege will in,
volve marked Partially Of conduct when
in fact in this scrimmags 1--WE don't
care tOss-up whether MOssoP kicks BARRY
or BARRY kicks MossoP."
We know ~. p" and "Citizen" well
They are both respected as good citizens O.
gentlemanly bearing and neither, in GU
opinion, would indulge in such epithets to
ward each other if they stood face to fac
in discussion under strong differences o
opinion. 1t has become habit unde
anonymous writing to indulge license o
epithet that sense Of personal responsible
ity would be very likely to restrain, and 70
this reason we have been tempted to clos
THE REPUBLICAN against this character o
discussion altogether, for the simple reason
that too often it is made more medium o
gratifying personal piques and animositie
than of public instruction and profit w
hold that no writer should assume nom d.
plume, and behind that make declaration
of personal character that no would no
utter in the presence Of an adversary. Can
did and fair discussions Of questions o
public Government by communication
may be profitable, but the indulgence 0
abuse and spithet never.
Hereafter We trust that no correspondent
will write for The REPUBLICAN except il
respectful and comely terms, and then witt
the full understanding shat the question
whether or not his paper ever appears in it
columns, rests peculiarly with Its editor
Except under these distinct terms 1t will b