The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-04-07
EDITORIALS.
CFrom The Doily.)

lTTCHt nc DcttJ-J
AMoNG the great factors that shape the
affairs of men and nations no art, science
or institution can justly claim greater
potency than the periodical press. The
newspaper Of to-day represents every form
of opinion and every variety OF faith pecu-
liar to the multifaTiOus associations of
humanity. It affords us at once a most
elaborate and a most perfect history, and
also a mirror from which present events
will be reflected with fidelity to- our re-
hottest posterity. 1t Is a powerful exponent
of Iiberty,a disseminator of enlightenment,
and a ~pTopagandist of civilization. It's inn
%pOrtance cannot be OveTestimated. The
newspaper is "A distinguishing mark of the
age aud throws the light of its influence far
and wide throughout the world. There
is no subject too triffiing for its
coguiZance, nothing too vast or great to
exceed the scope of its observation. 1t de-
serves respect it commands recognition.
Yet there are some who inConSiderately
treat it with Indifference, and bestOw their
patronage, with an air of condeScenSion,
upon Il local newspaper. We have but to
survey our own "vironmen and ask how
we became familiar, intimately and in
te~IIigently, with the many trivial but sig
nffcant events and transactions which
have made our neighborhood and local
society interesting, to feel the usefulness
and obligation conferred upon every worthy
member of the community by Il faithful
local press. There can be no newspaper
so contemplate, or void of worth, that IL -
absolutely of no consequence. y periodical
NAV. indeed, and occasionally does, deViate
from the legitimate sphere of honest and
dignified journalism, but the Nemesis Of
public opinion invariably avenges such
deviation with the stigma of disapprOval,
and n lesson is thus delivered to those who
may in future attempt to debase the
character of the press. In this connection
ii is appropriate to pay a passing notice to
those laborious and faithful men who stand
at the helm and guide the destinies of
Uu.1r- -, nffaV, ,,an1aafaI n,,I
seldom receive all the reward they merit,
while they are devotiug their talents and
perhaps the accumulation of former days
to the unselfsh service of mankind. 1t is
true the editor may, and very properly
does, seek q pecunia~y reward, but hat
motive is usually subservient TO q highe
aim q nobler purpose. Those who have
lent lustTe to journalism, and in turn re-
ceived lustre from it, have, without eXcep-
ton, been animated by more than a mere
sordid ambition. They have sacrificed the
luxury of wealth for Il grander and more
exalted consideration, and chosen to pro-
mote virtue and knowledge at the expense
of comparatively paltTy financial advan-
tages with a ph~ilanthrOpic unselfishness
well worthy the highest commentator.
In this country we have in Mr.. ii. NJ.
Whitney an example of this kind. The
editorial labOrs of this gentleman, for the
benefit of his fellow-citiZens, are well
KNOWN, but have not been recognized,
while others have carried of the palms for
victories which he with his pen vainly won.
VIII any doubt this in view of the history
Of our reciprocity negotiations? He for
many years fought the battle, but an easy
diplomatic excursion enabled others to
carry off the prize. He was a faithful jour
nalistic pioneer in Hawaii, and as such de-
deserves honor and praise. The Pacific
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER, founded by Mr..
Whitney, has ever scTupulously endeavored
to represent the best interests of Hawaii.
1t has had the welfare and happiness of her
people ever mt heart, and if it has erred be-
times, as all things guidedby falible human
effort must err, such mistakes have been
attributable to defect of judgment rather
than to a perverted motive. 1t will con-
tinue loyal to the best conceptions of jour
nalistic duty and true to this Hawaiian
state, ever prOfiting by experience, keep
ing pace with the march of events and
leading the ian of progress in all that per-
tafns to the national veal.