Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-07-10
JOURNALISTIC RIGHTS AND PRIV,
ILEGEO.-

periencc in journalism, no idea can be NOR
absurd than the one, apparently entertain
ed by few in almost every community
that newspaper can be published to sui
everybody. Such thing Is and would b
practically impossible under the most IA
vorable conditions of society: and it mus
necessarily be so. rs long as diversity q
motive, pursuit and character exist. Som
men are so deficient in every moral an,
Intellectual sense that they instinctivel,
object to and oppose every thing that doc
not come within the vangc of the lower in
stincts, or pay tribute to their selfish aim
and passions. They cannot understan,
how or why the interests of the public a
large should be paramount or antagonist
to those they consider their own. Or, lk,
the frog in the fable. they cannot imagin
the existence of living Great IRE so great
but personally they can assume more gi
gantic proportions whenever they desir,
to initiate themselves with the atmospher,
in which they live.
There are Others, of average mental cali
Der, too. who are conservative to fault
They wish to pass along through life with
out disturbance or friction of any kind
and apparently desire continuance of ex
listing circumstances. whether good or bad
concluding that no prospective improve
ment or possible progression can compen
safe for the slightest disturbance of theil
own equilibrium.
Others, there are, who are antipodcs to
these. and who invariably take the most
extreme or radical grounds on almost ev.
cry question, whether it tie political, social
or moral-persons who would strike the
words policy, concession and compromise,
entirely from their vocabulary. Some Of
the brightest and most progressive intel
lects are to be found in this class, and the
world is indebted to such for some of its
loftiest thoughts and grandcst achieve
ments. In many instances, however.
they arc so far on the extreme or in
advance of public sentiment as to be be-
yond the comprehension or appreciation
of the masses, and thus much of their ca
pacity for usefulness is lost to their own
generation by the intensity and ilnpetuos-
ity with which every thought is urged and
every action driven.
In our opinion, the legitimate province
of journalist is TO steer clear of objec-
tionable extremes, especially such as those
to which we have briefly referred, and in
doing SO he will have the approval and
moral support OF large class OF steady
going, law-abiding, conscientious and CON-
nonsense men and women, who, if not
majority, are the conservatOrs Of peace and
good order and the most effectual molders
OF healthy public sentiment in every COM
munity. .....
Aside from his personal characteristics
as to style or modes CT expression, etc.,
the true Journalist will honestly endeavo-
to reflect the best thoughts and sentiments
of the community, and advocate such
measures as he honestly believes will re-
suit in the greatest good to the greatest
In this legitimate sphere, it will
often become his unpleasant duty to point
out Irregularities and abuses and to closely
criticise men and motives in order that
abuses may be corrected and selfish and
unprincipled Inexperienced from working
injury to the community at
large. But. in the prosecution of his prop
er work Re is certainly as much entitled to
respect, protection and non-interference as
the farmer who is industriously cultivating
his field, the mechanic who is peacably
pursuing his avocation or trade, or the
merchant in the various operations of his
business.
The occupation OF Journalist is rs well |
'e as sacred as any other. The press has
accomplished more tor the best interests
II society than any other known
gency. 1t yields a more powerful, and
lpon the whole, perhaps, a more salutary.
influence upon the minds and morals of the
'eople at large than the Legislature, the
ourts and pulpit combined. 1t is a power
efore which despots tremble, the corr,,pt
nd lawless shrink and the reckless and
rhtish pause.
The secret Of its potent influence lies
the fact that, with few exceptions, the
ress is the medium of INTELLIGENCE
nd the reflection of the best thoughts and
'ntlments of the best men and women in I /,
'ery community. The, ultimate success G
newspaper or periodical lies in the ]
instant recognition Of these facts; conse- I
iently, aside from conscientious desire I
lie right, every consideration of policy. 9
'proval, and pecuniary prosperity natur- r
" and almost inevitably lead the Journal o
IN the direction of right and justice and I.
advocacy of such measures and princi- a
es only as he honestly believes will en- is
nee the best interests and promote the Al
'lfa5e Of the community he so largelS
presents and with which he is necessarily "
thoroughly identified. "
Deviating materially from this recopniz- tc
course, journal must, in the yery ma Iii
re OF things, have very precarious ex- al
ence and an extremely short career. On ar
other hand, no better or stronger evil h,
ice can be adduced of the necessity of a TO
rnal, and that in the main it is pursuing an
proper course, than the fact that it con- en-
ues to exist, has steadily increasing ri
:uiatlon and that it receives the approval 80
support OF intelligent. industrious and
.-ablding citizens in the community in
lch 1t is published. So far, it Is the
piles jo'irnal-the vehicle through
'ci their thoughts are expressed and the
st effective means by which their best
rests are advocated and maintained. Mi
UGH, in the main, are the newspapers of ,
ntana to-day; and, in our opinion. no Wis
ater crime can be committed against in .
dual rights and the most sacred inter- tor
OF society, than for selfappointed =
'or to attempt to intimidate, brow-beatt =. :
tterwlse unlawfully interfere with a ca. ~
nalist while peaceably pursuing his '''e
'tion and labOring for the best interests =
ociety, by such means as have been 90 ed
'liarly effective, and now receive almost fe'
crsal approval. II 7
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