The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-05-25


ness in the panorama of growth and Ce-
velopment of human society by some
special though general law operating upon
all alike and creating common platform
upon which all can stand. In other words
an oak and cedar may grow to maturity
and make two different trees but they are
both at last by principle common to both,
a tree. And so various classes may de.
velop and reach different positions and
results, but the special feature that attends
upon the special civilization of each age
raises the mass as whole to a common
level and standard. The idea is then,
after the foregoing reflections are furnished
with copious Illustration, advanced. that of
this present and modern day and age
the press has become the common
leveler, the special hand.maiden, the
builder of the platform upon which the
man of the day, the fair representative of
the age and its civilization stands. The
line of argument is happy one, and leads
up, and leads up admirably to the concep-
ton OF the power, and the real position and
duties of the press, There is no power in
this age like the press. 1t is the universe.
detective, the universal critic, the univer-
sal educator. Moved and manipulated by
the quickest aud most cultured brain, and
the most powerful, yet delicately fashioned
machinery of the age, it gathers daily
everything worth knowing, from pole to
pole, puts everything gathered into the
most attractive and compact shape, and
after having equipped the whole with IA
ready made and practical opinion thereon.
throws it to the four corners of the
earth upon the wings of the light
ming and steam. AS the one common
guide and dependence Of the age, how could
1t be less powerful, or swift and comprc-
hensive in its action2 But the great ques-
ton is, how shall this vast engine be man.
aged? Shall it follow men or acting indie
pendently lead and educate them? Shall
1t be an organ or a fearless educator, an
enterprise of distinct independent and
business character, or an auxiliary merely
OF other movements and classes and enter
prises.P The question hardly admits under
the position above assigned to the press, of an
argument. The views expressed by Pro
rEssoR GIRARDEAu are in accord with those
who would remove the newspaper from the
field OF the organ and assign to it broader
and more independent sphere. They
are the advanced views of the age in the
premises, and such as the HERALD can say
with pride it has all along labored for the
general adoption of, and to which it has
frequently given expression. The newspa-
per in the community is just what the
press Is as a whole--it is distinct business
that has its own independent part to play
and interests to subserve, Just as in the par.
ticular case cotton factory would or in
the general view, the manufacture OF cotton
has. 1t does not need to be, nor ought il
to be, mere expressionles vehicle of
news. 1t need not be neutral or opinion
less, but 1t must be independent and fair.
Men want their brains fed morning after
morning just as they want their bodies
clothed day after day, and ii is absurd to
say to one more than to the other "Y gu
shall not equip your establishment or run
1t upon other principles than a
clique, or class or party shall mar
out for you" The only question for the
public is as to the character of service
given. The public will so where it can OBJ
tain the choicest brain food in the greatest
quantity and variety just US it will patron
izc the best bazaars. In other.words, the press
is an independent and distinct agency and
furnisher in the community, but infinitely
more important than all others by reason
OF its peculiar line of service. Neithe,
money nor party can make 1t success un.
less there is special adsptability in those
who manage it for the work in hand, Jus,
as 1t Is impossible for success to be attained
in any line of effort requiring brain
or skill without special fines,
In those who have the subject matter in
hand. AS stated by PROFESSOR GIRAR.
DEAu the old days OF the organ and the old
IDEA OF the newspaper have disappeared
and in their stead have come the era and
the appreciation of the enterprising, fear
less, newsy, independent business like edu
Gator that has its own interests to subserye
and labors to perform, as well as those O
the community, and only asks from Others
the same freedom and Independence in
methods, opinions and patronage that il ac
cords to them, that they shall be no more d
necessity to it than it is to them, The press
reyolutionized after this manner and run
upon these principles, would become soon
even greater power in the land than as at
present seen. We boast fthe freedom oftbe
press, but Just in proportion as corporations
or special interests or parties, close lis
columns to tull and impartial discussion
ofquestions, just in that proportion is the
press gagged, and as eflectualy, too, as il
the restraint had been imposed by govern.
ment censor. We submit PRorrsso,
GIRARpEAu's scholarly and suggestive nd.
! dress to the earnest consideration of the
press, and trust that the thoughts and
hints there dropped may lead to improve
ment, at very early day, in the tone, a,
least, OF our own state press--a branch Of
the profession, we can say safely and with
pride, fully abreast with the progress mani.
tested In the conduct of journalism in any
other portion OF our country or Grea,
Britain.
PUBLIC CARRIAGES, ETC
We publish this morning portion of the
city ordinances appertaining to public car.
riages, hacks. etc., to the end that citizens.
strangers, etc., may distinctly understand