Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-12-18
The Press and tho Courts.


evil cannot be over estimated. In the
wise economy of Il free system OF
government the newspaper has been
awarded the post of honor. 1t has
been placed on the battcments Of
freedom as the sentinel Of the people,
and, following closely in the path of
usefulness 50 clearly marked out for
it. has come to be called the fourth
estate. 1t has become the educator of
the masses. 1t shapes the policy of
statesmen, and rcverscs the attitude Of
cabinets. 1t must bc assiduou- in cx.
posing wrong; must be the fearless
champion of right, and at all times
aud under all circumstances should
cndcavor TO fulfill the high mission to
which it has been called by an en-
lightencd public sentiment. 1t i now
a mighty engine in the machinery Of
society, and 50 potent u to become
dangerous when used by designing
men for improper purposes. IL Is not
the province of the Press to redress
private grievance, or to revenge itself
upon individuals. When it doe. this
it cease, to- fill the lofty position ac.
corded it by all men.
In it, criticism upon passing event.
the newspaper is naturally brought to
record the doiug- OF courts and the find.
ing Of juric-. \, matter OF news
it i necessary for the progressive jour.
nal TO lay before It's readers every
thing that tran-pirc- in the County,
State aud Nation. and therefore it is
entirely proper for the newspaper TO
give to It's readers, in it, own way, n.
well the proceedings Of our courts q,
of the National Congress. But the
editor should not dip hi. pen in the
gall Of personal hate, or'writc under
the shadow of personal spite. He
should calmly and dispa--iouatyly give
facts aud not iaEcies. lie should fol.
low the beaten path Of truth, and not
give hi- readers distorted statement.
that convey false impressions, even if
they do not openly bear upon their
face the finger marks Of malice not
unmixcd with envy.
We are led to these reflection. by
an untruthiul report. since widely cir.
culatcd, Of an incident that occurred
in our criminal court three weeks ago.
We refer to the story Of the sentencing
by Judge Oryi- Of a criminal to the
pcnitcntiary for three years Tor the
alleged offence of contempt Of court.
One Of our contemporaries, with an
utter disregard of the actual facts and
circumstances Of the case, first gave
this palpable misrepresentation to the
public. Whether our neighbpr was
moved by enmity towards the Judges
on the bench thu. to ovcr.tep the bounds
of truth we do not know; but we do
know he has done not only himself n
gricvous wrong. but has cndeavorcd
to inflict a serious wound upon the
administration of Justice in this coun.
ty. OF all things that should be held
sacred from the petty jealousy Of am
bitious politicians and ,chcmiug place.
men our courts stand first and fore
most. Ii is not meet that the fires of
hate or malice should slumber at the
foot of the altar of justice to be fan
ned into a flame at the convenience of
a personal foe. However the journal
in question may regard our judges, it
should remember they sink their in
dividuality on the bench. They are
simply there ito carry out the sen
tence of the law" and that is precise.
~ what was done in the case which
has been so grossly misrepresented and
has called forth 50 much unjust criti-
4
ed boy though he is twenty
four years old-had plead guilty to
two separate and distinct indictments
found against him by the grand jury
--one for breaking and entering in
the night with intent TO commit
felony" and the other for larceny"
The court had a proper right to pass