Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-24
Newspaper Abuses.

pan hntOhlO Express.
The practice INDUCED in by some
newspapers Of continually maligning
individuals holding some public posi-
ton, belittliOg their every act, and
snsering and jeering at them on all
occasions, claiming immunity under
the maxim that a public official is
always a subject for criticism, has
brought forth fruit in st Louis in the
killing Of Colonel A.. W. Slayback by
Colonel John A. Cockerill, editor Of
the Post Dispatch, as already detailed
IN u kilograms, and of which the
Republican says editorially:
Our city columns give all attaina.
BILE particulars of one of the most
shocking and horrifying tragedies it
has ever been u sad lot to record,
Colonel Alonzo W. Slayback was shot
and instantly killed yesterday after
noon by John A. Cockerill, editor Of
the Post Dispatch. Whatever may
be the verdict as to the legal or tech
nical responsibility for this act, the
conscience of Cockerill will ever tell
him he first attempted the ruin Of
Slayback's character and then slew
him for his manhood in protecting
it. The publication that exas
perated Slayback to frenzy
was first made by the Post Dispatch a
year ago, 80 that the malice is of no
new growth, and Col. Slayback must
have felt it was both merciless and
continuing. To his impulsive nature
the repetition of epithets for the pur-
pose Of belittling and rendering him
Odious in the minds of his fellows was
more CALLING than blows. Few will
commend the act of going, in his ex-
cited frame of mind, to the Office of
the Post Dispatch, even to merely re-
monstrate against the publication re-
ferred to; but none will say he de-
served death for it. The Ishmaeli.
fish course of the Post Dispatch in
unfortunately assailing character;
in Aunting up points upon which to
attack the best citizens; in holding
nothing sacred from its venom-has
been a by-word in this community.
No one has felt safe from its shafts Of
SANDER and vituperatiOn. 1t has
sought to gain power through mans
fears Of its vile reproaches. As it
could not make its way by command.
ing respect, it was content to achieve
notoIiety by being despised and
hated. Could Col. Slayback have re-
allied that he stood only the higher
by receiving abuse from such a
source, the mother, wife and children
whose tears now wet the cold face Of
their beloved, would have been happy
to- day in the smiles of a devoted son,
husband and father"
Too many editors, so.called, have
not the ability to distinguish between
criticism and blackguardism, and
through petty spite or for some per-
sonal end, do not hesitate to abuse and
villify those officials who do not hap
pen to be in accord with them, when,
if the same editors were to so abuse a
man in private business, and on no
better grounds, the public would be
glad to see the offender horsewhipped
ike a coward or kicked like a cur,
Few men have the nerve TO long bear
such assaults with the silent contempt
all good people recognize them as
deserving, but the outraged party is
liable to be shot down for making a
personal protest against a personal
assault through the columns Of a
newspaper.
Fair and honorable criticism Of the
official acts Of public officers is proper
at all times, but when a newspaper
goes beyond that and attempts to
bring an officer into contempt az On
individual, it exceeds its province.
To throw out insinuations that a pub
lie officer is dishonest is as ~inexeusable
as to do the same thing towards any
business man, and the responsibility
should be the same in both onses.