Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-03-05
THE DUTIES OF A COUNTY PAPER.

THE DUTIES OF A COUNTY PAPER.
The Lafayette County Sentinel. print
ed tor some time past in this city, has
ceased to exist. Its last issue appeared
yesterday. Since 1t was first brought
here by Messrs. Peterson & Reese,it has
been under three different manage
lnents, but was unable to place itself on
t. basis of pecuniary success with any OF
the three. The truth of the business Is,
that there is not, and has not been, any
demand for two democratic newspapers
ct Lexington. The county now has five
papers, the Intelligencer. the Register.
the Advance, the Herald and the Thai
tote. 1t cannot sustain a greater
number; and can only keep up to good
working standard this many by q gen.
erous support. and q determination to see
at least one county paper in every hoase-
hold in Lafayette county.
No M paper a ever get all the
patronage. People differ in opinions.
and they differ in tastes. These opinions
and tastes will lead them in a dlrec-
ton or another for their newspapers.
This is natural. It is not only natural,
but 1t is right. 1t is not desirable that
everybody should think alike regarding
public questions. It Is wholesome to
differ. 1t secures free criticism. and a
care in the discharge OF public trusts
which would not otherwise obtain. As
between newspapers differences OF opin-
ion, however. should be fairly and tenn
perately expressed. In all legislative
bodies it Is q rule that no member shall
iimpugn another's motives for his posi-
ton on any question. If there is corrupt
motive it is proper to expose it, and the
means is indicated, but this means Is not
innuendo and insinuation In debate,
which is. IN newspapers. too often re'
sorted to where argument Is wanting.
Tho proper editing OF . newspaper is
as much a profession a. law or medicine.
1t has not yet its degrees and diplomas,
but it requires to fully as great An ex-
tent requisite attainments of scholarship
and study, and such rules and regula-
tions as will conform it to tho demands
of decency, decorum and . proper re-
spect for the rights and position Of 9TH
ers. In no profession il it moro obvious
~ a duty fer members to support the
dignity OF the whole by q due respect tor
each, and 1t must be q short sighted ed
itor, indeed, who does not know that
when he detracts from another editor he
weakens his own influence and hold up.
on the mind of the public. This does
not. by any means. imply that criticism
should be abridged-only that argument
and facts should take the place Of abuse
and loose statement. In the future con.
duct of the Intelligsncer we shall en-.
deavor, IS we have done in the past. to
keep these rules Of conduct in view. II
is hard, sometimes. when ruthlessly and
wantonly attacked, to resist the tempta'
zion to strike back. Nothing is easie,
to do. No style Of writing is 20 flowing
as the out-pourlng OF indignant feeling
But, Gus 6onop In what does 1t instruct
the readeri In what does it benefit hime
The idea which we have OF our duty
TO our large and intelligent constituency
is, first, to give our readers all OF thu
county news-not fromLexlngton alone
but from every nook, and corner, ant
Granny of the county. We place thi!
duty first. because no one else can sup
ply the need. For general news ether
sources may be consulted; but for coun
ty news. and county information. ane
discussion of county matters. ouly tn
county paper a be relied en-. We Zee
il, therefore, to be our first duty to at
tend to those matters which the mos
closely concern our readers. There
a duty, too, on the other side. As it
a mans first earthly duty to look afte
the welfare of his family, because the
are the nearest and dearest of earth t
him. 80 is it his duty al . citizen and
father. first to support and encourag
the press which looks the closest ate
his material and political well-being.
, Second in Importance comes q synop
sis and analysis OF the general news q
the week, as thorough and complete q
Is Lett tor after home matters hav
been attended to. Accompanying thi
> review of passing events it is proper
express honest, unbiased opinions upo
the public questions OF the day, a. lull
as may be. That these opinions may b
g respected is especially needed a cande
8 which comes from earnest conviction.
quality eminently possessed, for instance
by Rev. D. B. M'Anally. Of St. Loui
and freedom from the demagoglsl
which would essay to win applause
4 the sacrifice OF purity, truth or reason
Next to these questions OF public col
Germ We should place the selection
i such literary matter, both prose or
e poetry, as will elevate the taste of Il
reader, while intoxicating morality al
religion, respect for law. and general
J. a high type OF manhood and woma
y hood.
These are our views of duty; our Id
of the field presented to MS. Left on
more the only democratic paper in Il
D city, we take the opportunity to rene
e our vows, as it were. AS a teacher '
ieel u unworthiness and inability me
iully when we most feel our respon'
p bility. For pride of place; Tor exalt
,e opportunities to do good to his iello'
men (the noblest ambition) with who
could the editor exchanged Yet he
often does he fail to realize that he G
l. poison as we'll as nourish. can blight
we'll as fructity7
1t The Intelligencer desires the grow
aud prosperity of Lafayette county,
10 Its every interest-its farms, its M
,is chants, mechanics and laborers; its OF
cational institutions and its churches.
desires, too, the success OF the grand
democratic party, the party of the CT
*. stitution, the party of the greatest lib
In ty to the individual, with the least q,