Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-08-16
Aanraster f,ltelh9enrer.
TUESDAY EVENING. AUG. 10, lesl.
Let There be Peace.

TUESDAY EvININo. AUG. 10. 1851.
Let There be Peace.
Whether the president survives or
perishes, and whether he be killed or
cured by his doctors, it is at least certain
that the leading newspapers Of the coun-
try have done nothing to aid his recovery,
nothing to make the people comfortable
over the providential dispensation of his
illness, and nothing to recommend them
selves as beneficial factors in the situa-
tion. The doctors started off badly in their
undertaking, as now conceded, but yet
hacked by newspaper applause. Bliss
was great physician then, though now
with none so poor as to do him rever-
ence, but every one reviling him. 1t is
to lie said for him, that he did as well as
he knew how and that his offence was in
ambitiously undertaking what he was
not wise enough TO perform. For the
newspapers, it also may be said that
they are filed with good intentions,
but their best intention is for themselves,
to heighten the interest of their publi-
cations about the presidents case. They
wish him we'll and ardently desire his re-
covery; and sedulously employ them,
selves in publishing all manner of views
and comments, with an eye single to- their
circulation. DR.. Agnew sometime ago
declared that he thought it in
expedient, for his patients sake, that
all that his physicians knew about
his case should he printed in the news
papers and everyone knows that it is
the steady practice of physicians to he
reticent concerning the worst features
of the illness Of those they are minister
ing to, deeming it of the highest import
auce that their minds should be kept
calm and hopeful, and that those by
their bedside should Danish from
their faces all expression of gloom.
Certainly if the president could have
daily heard Of very small part Of the
facts and criticisms which the news
papers have published about his case he
would have been in his grave long ago
for it has not been possible for any
mortal to patiently endure the reading
of the mass of trash that has been
steadily poured out for the past six
weeks. The doctors bulletins used to
be a fearful dose, which tender stomachs
were obliged to reject; and it is safe
assumption now that the public gener-
ally is heartily sick and tired of being
forced to read SO much that is false and
irrelevant in the newspaper news, and
is earnestly desirious that they should be
spared the daily agitation with which
they are forced to seek to separate the
true from the false.
The most sensible and self-centered
man who appears to the public gaze in
all these proceedings about the president
is DIR. Agnew, who fills very difficult
place with very great credit, not only to
his skill rs a surgeon and physician but
to his good sense as a man. Under very
great prOvocation to anger from the
Philadelphia Times, he greets it with a
good temper, which shows him to he a
strong man conscious of his strength.
The Times had published as from: him a
statement concerning the presidents
condition which DR.. Agnew was
compelled to publicly declare was false
in every essential particular. And when
challenged by the Times, he briefly and
clearly shows how egregiously its re-
port had erred, but through the ignor-
ance and not the ill intention, as he no
doubt correctly assumes, of the reporter.
It is i singular Illustration of the diff
Guilty newspaper has iE stating facts,
that the Times, with every disposition to
report DIR. Agncw correctly and having
made every effort to DO so intelligently,
absolutely failed in this case to get one
essential statement right.
But what las particularly struck us in
DIR. Agnew's letter to the Times is his
declaration that /" the criticism to which
the presidents medical and surgical at
tendants have been subjected does not
disturb their equanimity in the least.
They have responsible duty to perform.
Nothing will be omitted, nothing Know |
ingly committed which, in their judg-
ment, will endanger this valuable life"
That is so nearly what-the universal
judgment will be-5hould he said and felt |
by the presidents physicians, that pub
lie confidence in Dr. Agnew we think |
will I've greatly increased by the aver
ment. That he should lie undisturbed
by criticism is right with the duty upon
him to care for the presidents life he
needs to feel that his judgment must |
guide his conduct and when he fails to
rely upon it he should abandon the duty.
The presidents condition is precarious:
put if human skill can avail him,
he las it. Certainly the newspapers
will not cure him; nor the newspaper
loctors. Those who have the response
bility, if they are worthy Of it, must
meet it with their own judgment. Why
then will the heathen rage? Let there
be peace.
THE Reading Ne,rs mildly criticises
;he composition of the committee to re-
7ise the rules of the Democratic party, ,on
he ground that but one majority coun-
y is represented. We cannot see that
his makes any difference. A"Pennsyl-