Mexico weekly ledger., 1880-12-23
JOURNALISM.

ed than another during the late pres
dential contest, it was the superiority
Of republican journalism in New York
and Indiana, where the struggle was
fiercest and the result most decisive.
The lesson taught by what was wit
messed in those states is, that parties
and their candidates cannot rely
wholly upon their campaign orators,
whose speeches addressed to parti-
sans are more designed to arouse
than convert. There must be party
organs also, and if these are to be
efficient, they must be encouraged,
assisted and sustained, not only amid
the pressing exigencies of actual
contests, but during the periods that
intervene between them Because
victory has been won and position
attained, it will not do to forget the
papers that marshalled the combat
tants and made success possible.
The newspaper addresses the in
telligence of its readers, and, if prop
erly conducted, states political con-
tentions fairly. Unfortunately, there
are journals of as many grades as,
there are writer's, and on this account
their services as advocates to theif
patrons are very unequal. Some
contine themselves to placing before
their readers the merits of the meas
ures of the party they uphold.
Others are filled with accounts Of the
mistakes and misdeeds of the enc
they oppose. Some are independent
and aim to be impartial, and others
never treat of doctrines or policies
without connecting them with per-
sonal and unfair defamation. Of all
journals the latter are the most des-
picable and the least serviceable. 1t
matters not whether their libels are
designed, or are the result of inability
to grasp truth and deal logically with
it, their mistatements overleap and
defeat themselves. Many noble and
useful men IN this country have been
made to feel by such journals tha,
they are in danger Of being judged
not by what they have either said OF
done, or on account of what they
actually are, but according to state
ments made concerning them by
prejudiced and dishonest writer's
but the result usually shows tina
people distinguish between honorable
criticism and editorial venom. The,
realize that the denunciations they
read come from Mr.. So-and-so, wht
they know is disappointed, souret
and vindictive, often scarcely com
pretending what he is writing about
and at best never possessed of grea
discrimination. Some journals, too
are only inferior sorts of compendi
ums, collections of other men
thoughts, essays on husbandry
finance, stock raising and cookery
the result of assiduous clipping
These last do not accomplish much
They do no great harm, however, ant
are often good advertising mediums
but as far as assisting party and it
candidates goes, they might as wei
not have been issued.
On the whole, journalism is th
outgrowth of our generation and in
stitutions. In the previous histor
of nations there has been nothin
like it, With its faults and deficler
cies, the democratic press is the bul
wark and defence of right, and ougt
to be sustained. 1t will be sad da
when the misconduct of officials car
not he openly and honestly rebuket
and, perhaps, far sadder one whe
the editors license shall be such tbs
he can attack whom he pleases wit
impunity.