Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-09-12
Commercial Printing!
THE EDITOR'S RESPONSIBILTTT.

THE EDITOR'S RESPONSLBILTTE
At best, and in the last analysis, an
editors duty to his fellow-men, like his
duty to his Maker, must be left very
largely to his own sense of the proprie-
ties, and to his own conscience A few
general rules of conduct are acceptable,
and have the governing force of COM
mon observance. His responsibilities
are commensurate with his influence.
And this is remark which l cannot
emphasize too forcibly. 1t is feature
of the newspaper business which feel
is too lightly appreciated. So long as
it suits our purposes, or when reminded
of this responsibility, we are accustomed
to throw ourselves back upon the theory
that we are simply engaged in private
business, the sole object of which is
money-making. This is not true, and our
own practices show that we do not rec
ognize it as true. If it were true, if we
were simply tradesmen and nothing
more, how many, think you, of all the
extraordinary special privileges which
the people now accord to us would we
be forced to surrender? As mere mark
etmen how long should We be permit
ted to assume the role of licensed Jack
Sheppards and cry "halt and deliver"
to every man, great Snd small, who hap
pens to have news which we require?
How long should we be suffered to go
anywhere, do anything, invade all sane
tuaries and outrage all proprieties in
the name of our profession? How soon
would the words "The Press" cease to
be an open, sesame!" in every depart
ment of life? 1t is only because at
certain point the newspaper ceases to
be a mere peddler's cart for the pun
chase and sale of goods, and becomes
an influence, that merchants and minis
tiers, lawyers and legislators, and indeed
every citizen of the country, pays heed
to the imperious and arrogant demands
of our tribe. What would YOU say of
your grocer if he should rouse you at
midnight and hold you shivering in
your nightclothes at an open door for
an hour to ask if you knew where he
could secure good article in butter
and eggs? Yet the reporter will do
this in the name of journalism, and the
1-in+ Oh no of
And you and I, and every editor in all
this land, exact these privileges in
greater or less degree, and every time
we do it We proclaim ourselves some
thing more than mere tradesmen.
Now, in common fairness, if not in
ethics, are We not bound to recognize
the responsibilities growing out of this
position of influence and power which
We occupy? Is it fair, or just, or de-
cent, that this dear public, which has
proved so willing and abject slave,
should receive no consideration at our
hands? Shall we treat it as if it had no
rights we were at all bound to respect,
no privacies which we might not ruth
lessly disturb, no hard-earned charac-
ters which we might not wantonly
blast, no blushing innocence resting
securely within the sacred walls of
home which we might not faint and
poison with the indecency and obscen-
ity of the brothel? I tell you had
rather take my presses and pitch them
into Lake Michigan, and go begging all
my days, than to stain my soul with such
an abuse of power. Let us have fear
less journalism, let us attack and con-
denim and expose wrong-doing, let US
call spade spade. I have no faith in
Horace Greeley's assertion that person
alities are the bane of American Jour-
nalism. believe in personalities. I
believe in hot personalities when the
occasion demands. believe in sensa-
tional journalism, journalism in keeping
with the spirit of our times and our
people-nineteenth century, lightning
fed and lightning printed journalism, q
journalism nerved to the highest pitch.
That which I do not believe in is care
less, reckless, impertinent and nasty
journalism. It is reproach to our pre-
fession and curse to the country. And
there is a great deal too much of it.
There are too many men in the news
paper business who disregard Davy
Crockett's motto "Be sure you are right
and then go ahead" Having the pow