The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-08-06
''FO0Ls RUSH IN WHERE ANGELS FEAR 10
TREAD ~

Recently in one of the cities of Illinois, a
councilman took in high dudgeon critl.
o'sm of tne editor of the leading paper in
that place. and pugnaciously denied the right
OF the journalist to criticize his, or his CO.
couucilmen's actions In the subject-matter of
dispute or any other that might come be-
fore the grave. and reverend seign-
ors in their assembled wisdom. The
impetuosty of the city father
came nigh unto precipitsting very serious
and perhaps fatal difficulty, by way OF solv-
Ing for himself a question that the common
sense Of the world had long ago settled, and
lis common custom long since Scquiesced in.
The trouble WAS averted however by friends
OF the irascible representative refusing to sus-
tain or endorse the folly of bis course. Akin
in nature to some of the points involved
in the above cited case were those raised
y county judge Of Galveston county, in
the suit for libel sgsinst the News, and
which was lstterly decided against the plsiu-
lin in action. lis very amusing TO the OBJ.
server Of human nature to note how esps
cial'y particular not TO say blatant, is the
seeker after official honors within the gift of
the "desr peoples" how excoristing he is
n the sins" bow severely critical he be.
comes upon the acts votes, etc, Of the
party no is endeavoring to Gust; how
dilisent he is in showing how much
he could and would improve upon all
the past recklessneis and insttention to duty,
etc otc. 1t is one of the privileges and it is
tho duty of the public journalist, as things
now 20, to give fully, and with the strictesl
impartslity and Justice, of the scenes that
m>y be Transporting, and in like spiri, to
commsnt on any matters concerning the
veal or woe of their readers and the public
generally. Rvery person, as we'll MS every
newspaper, may freely write or publish
with perfect impunity all fair and jus. cril-
cisms upon public officials, upon
their chSracter, habits, mental and
moral qualifications, and genera
hh.ess or unatnem for the positions filled
This criticism, this animsdver,ion may be of
tho most hostile sort, provided |, be msde in
good faith, and in discharge of public
duty, and without malice. This Ia tho law
of tho land, based upon that provision in
the organic framework which guarantees the
freedom C the press IS q matter of public
expedoncy. No man has any cause OF &C.
ton against anevspsper when be Is a public
officer, or even a candidate for election to
pablo office, because of any criticism or
structures made as above indicated. They
are individuals who receive something, yea,
very much from the community they rep.
resent, viz the confidence which vote i'm
plies OF their ability, integrity and other
proper qualifications; they receive of the
moneys from the pockets Of the tax payers;
and Iheir conduct moro or less reflec,a upon
tNose who elevated them to powor. For
thee" several reasons and others, they are
snd should DO held 10 the elric,est
accountability, not merely for con.
i"ptious conformity with duty but TO
t ,a,aligent and a mos, expedien, admin
Ira'ion thereof. On the other hand. 1t Ia
50 coded that tho publisher OF newspaper
or. TO greater rights or privileges than any
c.rr person and must incur as rigid u
responsibility. and he who prostitutes HE
peculiar power TO wrongly injure, through
his columns, from malice. or for pay, any one
Of high or oilow degree, s.uuwor.hy 10 handle