The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1881-07-29

AdAl nv ~
Then thera is the journal with hol
by. Probably the hobby is the Stat
debt question. For the past ten yeai
its editor has scarcely missed an issue i
presenting his views on this novel an
captivating subject. He has discusse
it in every possible phase, week in an
week out, but he has presented the sam
idea every time. He mightsave himsel
some labor if he would clip out his las
wears editorials and repubIish them ii
the regular order He never gets tiret
of the subject. 1t has an indescribabl,
and irresistible charm for him. Wher
he puts his pen to paper he may fal
asleep in his easy chair, and the dutifu
pen, out Of sheer foice Of habit, vii
splutter off like Planchette and write al
article on the State debt question. Mer
may come and men may go, but his con
stantly recurring platitudes will g5 OF
for SO years, or until he pays hhe debt
of nature and gets hold Of a new idea in
another world.
Here is our pessmistic friend. Every
thing goes wrong in the world, and he
takes infinite pains to let the world
know that he is not pleased. His mission
is to reconstruct things, and as he meets
with limited success, he grumbles al
fate, and makes awful predictions Of
impending ruin. Strangely enough,
however, the sun continues to shine,
the stars look down as calmly rs everi
the seasons come and 60, and the oD-
stinate world persists in wagging on.
Several Of my esteemed contempora-
ries have an easy way of writing edi-
torials. They write with the scissors,
which they esteem as mightier than the
pen. They give their readers the opin-
ions Of other men and none Of their own.
This may be a iudicious plan, but it
would be interesting to have an occa-
sional opinion from them. 1t is pleas
ant u note, however, that they generally
give the proper credit.
| take up from my table a trimmer
for there are trimmeTs among news
papers as there are among politicians.
The editor Of this paper never expresse;
an opinion until he is satisfied that is
will be popular. When a question of
public Importance is presented he touch
es it in cautious, eYasive way, if he
speak Of it at all, until he finds out
what the community will think of it.
IL a majority regard a proposition fa-
vorably, he becomes eloquent in its sup
pot I'll if the indications are clear that a
majority condemn it or consider it with
disfavor he comes down on it like a
thousand bricks. What the people want
he wants, what the popular mind re-
jects he rejects without hesitation. He
goes with the tide and is the only true,
genuine, unadulterated and disinterested
t lend Of the party. Patent applied for.
Here is a familiar old friend. 1t is an
organ, a party organ. 1t goes for the
party right or wrong. 1t lives for and
on the party it would probably die for
the party. Whatever the party does is
right. Everything in the party is sym
metrical and beautiful. The party can
didates are gentlemen Of extraordinary
ability, and Of unexampled integrity Of
character. The opposing candidates are
willy demagogues, idiotic numskulls, or
designing conspirators, whose sole aim
in politics is to undermine the republic,
ruin and impoverish the country and
wantonly destroy the happiness Of the
people. 1t never publishes an extract
from an opposing journal, nor any news
item that in any possible way could re-
fleet credit upon the opposing party. 1t
furnishes its readers with entirely ortho-
dox matter, which praises its own party
leaders and glorifies the party methods.
Whatever the party managers dictate
the party organ proclaims and supports.
must say that whatever may be its
merits, and the organ is often very ably
conducted, do not admire its methods.
Ii country paper must be an organ, it
should be the organ Of its editor. Be
there never so earnest an advocate of
party principles, he should have indie
pendence enough TO condemn when CEN
sure is needed, and be liberal and char
liable enough to commend what is
worthy of commendation, even though
it be found in the conduct and purposes
Of the opposition. The power and in
Auence Of newspaper depend upon the
power and adaptabiiity of the intellect
which controls it, and to carefully and
conscientiously weigh the grave ques-
lions WHICH dHeCb tuc puullc lHbctcots,
and then to impress his own convictions
upon the public mind, directing, mould
ing and unifying the public thought,
constitute the highest duty and prero-
gative Of the journalist. OF course, in
this work there should be no exclusion
Of the views of others. He should in
vite criticism, encourage the proper
presentation of contrary viewf, and
make his paper the free medium for the
communication Of ideas, and the intel
ligent discussion of matters of general
interest. BY this comparison Of views
his own opinions, if they be valuable,
are more forcibly impressed upon the
public mind, and his influence and
usefulness as a journalist are enhanced
The journals upon my exchange list
which are avowedly independence par
ties can be counted on one or two fingers
While | think the idea Of absolute in
dependence is essentially Utopian, ther,
| is a degree Of independence to be reached
which may be very exasperating to th,
orgais. The true idea Of independents
y. f.z. -. Il. -. La ....-....