The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-09-24
The Duties of an Editor.
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The first thing an editor should understand
is that his paper although private property,
is private property hired TO the public to DO
certain work, and Is not like bis horse. his
buggy or his pockct-knile, n thing to
lend TO n friend or use in accomplishing his
selfish ends whenever desire prompts. The
tacit understanding or implied contract be-
tween an editor and his subscribers Is thet for
he agrees to watch public affairs for the sub
scribcrs, and to the best OF his ability TO Keep
said subscribers informed rs to what rams
pircs IN the world generally; and on account
OF his superior sources OF information the
subscribers likewise expect him to give them
the benefit OF the conclusions he reaches IN
regard to matters of public concern. For all
of which he is fully paid when he gets the
amount charged for subscription to his paper.
Suppose now, after this contract IL entered IN
to, the editor sets TO work Immediately 70
write up his W interests or those OF his
friends ? Does he not occupy the same posi-
ton as that Of a ficld-hand, who receives his
wages to work mn crop and goes Mt once anu
uses the same to work his o'Un? Ccrlainly ne
docs. Then assuredly one Of the first requi-
sites to a faithful CARRYING, out Of the above
contract Is the complete subordination on the
part Of the editor OF all private and selfish
ends to the public good. AS an editor ne
should have no personal friends" Heslou,d
look upon every man in public life, rs simply
n public servant Of whose deeds the people
expect him To inform them, truthfully ana
fcarlessly. The servant who deserves praise
should receive 1t, II censure he should not DC
spared, no matter what the editors private
relations to him may be. The readers, ne
must remember, are not very anxious Thai
the editors private friends should hold public
try should lave efficient and honorable, pub
lie servants. Consequently the su6scribcrs..
the readcrs-are treated with unfairness and
treachery when m editor withholds what no
should publish, and publishes what are un-
true or perverted representations OF the CON
duct OF public servants whose welfare nc
wishes to promote. His duty Is to lay before
his readers oil the information he can gather
about these lnborers In the public vineyards
whether such information be pleasant or
unpleasant reading to those OF whom IT. speaks
ment from the facts as given. Hc can draw
they may DO worth to his readers, but his
fist duty Is to give them the data upon whlcn
they Gun base their own conclusions indepeno-
chit Of his.
ton among all the citizens in the community
In which 1t clrculates: and every citizen VINO
desires to lie heard, and will couch his
thoughts in decent language, and makes his
communications reasonably short, should al
ways be allowed a hearing through neWspa,
per columns, free Or cost. however adverse his
views may be to those the editor entertains.
or perchance has been advancing.
Just In proportion as a newspaper Is one
ment, worthless MS a newspaper. 1t should
always give It's readers O chance TO see both
sides OF every. question by o~i botn
side q hearing through It's columns. And n an
faults, whatever they be, will be, in n great
measure, robbed Of their power to hdrm. HIS
errors and failings, rs a writer and q THINKER,
will do but little In misleading his readers, be-
cause those who entertain antagonistic views
to his will correct any false impressions his
writings may have made upon the puoilc
mind. If an editor is truly NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
sincerely the public good-is earliest In the
pursuit of truth, he is soon recognises by ms
readers as one worthy OF their confidence,
and then his opportunities for doing his fel-
low fien real service is unbounded. Every
week ~ his is a weekly paper he Is allowed
the privilege of going into almost every
thoughts and sentiments to almost every
member Of the hmily-and II those septl-
ments are purc and elevated-if ne is fearless
in exposing e%rrOr-bold IN upholdlng the
foundd iligentin establishing justice and pull
ling down prejudice, what ar, Immense
amount Of good he can accomplish IN the
course Of tilne?, Buff the editor seeks IN
stead to impose bis friends upon the PUZZLE.
to carry out his private enterprises to the
neglect or dctrIment OF the public weal-if he
ministers 10 passion, strengthens prcJudlGes.
fosters little factions and strives to Keep awe
his paper readable" las is often claimed by ed.
itors they shbuld do his paper is a curse, not
IL blessing TO the people among whom IL cir
%culates.
ion-ditference of opinion is incident TO the
infrmity OF the human mlnd-bht. there Is
never any room for hatred and i!l-will on ac-
count Of these differences when honestly en-
tertained and respectfully expressed. The
editor should MI his columns with different,
intelligent opinions On the same subject, but
exclude, as far as In linn lies. all TINT may
initiate against TRUTH Or foster prejudice anu