The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-28


q indiscriminate eulogy, but will try t
remember the wise old proverb whicl
says: "He teaches well, who distinguishe
we'll" Without assuming the affecte'
l omniscienee of the professional critic
T ! crave the spirit of an humble, homes
student. 80 then at the expense of ap
: pearing dull, | shall endeavor to b
practical, and as appropriate to tn
occasion, hoping it may not be alto
getheT proftless, have selected for tn
, evenings discussion the Ethics of Jour
! nalism.
The history of journalism is a perpet
ual marvel. Its growth has been phe
nomenal. But few years ago compar
atiyely, the art of printing was invented
and the first crude newspaper was ISSUED
from a ruder press. It's aims were unpre
tentious, and of its mighty destiny ther,
was not the faintest conception. Now
they have multiplied to thousands ant
become the most potent factor in every
civilized land. Along with the family
the church and the State, and not in
feriOT to either, because affecting each
it ranks As a dominant force in all civ
ilizations. Its lines have gone out IL
the ends of the earth. We may lament
its abnormal development in certain
directions, grow restive over its Ireten
tious boldness, rebuke its audacity
and deny its influence, but the fact re
mains that the Press is
"The mightiest of the mighty means
On which the arm of progress leans"
1t is the magic hand that strikes the
diapason of human thought, and evOkes
music from every chord. 1t is the
tabled touch of Midas that turns every,
thing to gold for the worlds enrichment
but keeps itself poor. IL is the
swarthy Hercules, to whose mighty
muscles society looks for sure defense.
1t has the eager eagle eyes of Argus
from which nothing escapes, and the
hundred DEITY hands of Briarius whose
grasp is well-nigh exhaustless. All
lands and peoples, allagencies and inven-
tiOns, all commerce and discoveries,
are brought under tribute to its dar-
ing enterprise and sublime cOnquests.
1t gathers news on the lightning's fiery
wing and sends it out over the land with
all the speed of steam Everywhere its
influence is felt tat home or abroad, on
lapd or sea.
As uoiseless as the daylight comes when
/ night Is done
! And the crimsOn-streak on oceans cheek
grows into the great sun"
so quietly and gently in all the homes
of our people its influence is at work
furnishing instruction, moulding opin-
ion, formulating principles, arousing
dormant energies and guiding nations
destiny. From the home newspaper,
ami amid the quiet evening hours, is
gathered the intellectual and political
pabulum on which nine tenths of our
people feed. OF it are born the convic-
lions and inspiration that kindle enthu-
siasm in all great public questions. The
newspaper of to-day is the phenomenal
orator of the early republic. What the
eloquent tongue of rully was to Rome
and the impassiOned periods of De
mOslhenes to Athenian patriotism, the
modern press is to American citizenship.
Another fact is observable and com
mendabie-the grorth Of manly indie
peHdeRce m journalism. 1t carries no
brand and wears no manacles. | repu-
diate the declaration of a recent writer
in the North American Review, that "a
power greater than journalism has
thrust a golden ring through its nose
aud leads it. exclusive chattel and crea-
ture" Whatever bondage, Calling and
debasing, an exceptional paper he's and
there may suffer, | do not hesitate to
affirm that American journalism enjoys
an independence liable to imperiousness,
and liberty that may lead to license.
With no subsidy but popular patronage
and no support but public approval,
it dares an open, outspOken, fearless
utterance of opinion The average news
pape. of today calls no man master.
Even the recognized party organs-the
special advocates and exponents of great
party prineiples-hy their own banners
and are by no means subseryient to any
arrogant dictation of caucus or eonven-
ton. They adopt their own line of ar
gument, and WELD their own weapons oil
conflict, whether it be the light sword
of Saladin or the pOnderous battle-axe
of Richard. The measures and men ol
their own party are discussed with stur-
DIV independence. is above the thumb
of any politician however great his name
or national his fame. It obeys the nod
of no political Jupiter, but rather itseli
sits in undisputed majesty on the heights
of 0lmypus swaying seeptre of magic
and universal empire.
/ But with this mighty power is asso
ciated prodigiOus responsibility. Infiu'
ence is the measure Of obligation. II
the press be the dominant factor in our
!, American civilization to-day, upon il
most largely and sacredIy rests the
destiny for veal OF woe of our po
litical and social institutions. Such
an engine under the control of the
vicious, who have no compunctions Ol
conscience, no sense of solemn resp0nsl
bility. and no lofty ideal Of patriotic
achievement, may work infinite and ir
reparable injury. 1t is blind Samp
son laying his strong hands upon ths
pillars of our social temple who VII
accomplish its destruction and ingior
iously perish in the ruins. But on ths
other hand true journalist should anc
does feel the weight of large public re
sponsibility. That he is society's watch
man on the walls, and upon his ceaseles.
vigils aud answering fidelity depene
in great measure the peace, purity ane
safety of the commonwealth.
First then let rs consider Journalism
Il Is ethical relation to public gfairs. Ihi
character of q nations civilization i
typed by the spirit and conduct OF II
press. 1t Is an educator OF the pe0pl'
| in all civic virtue. There IS an old say
inp among our kin beyond the sea thai
uWhaf Lancashire thinks to-day, Eng
land will think tomorrow. With NOR
force and aptness We may say OF ou
couufrv. that what the American pres
thinks to-day, viii be the national con
riction tomorrow, and constitutional
law next week. In recent letter de
clining to become 3 candidate tor fAg
lliament from the ancient borough o
Leicester, Herbert Spencer, the distln
Ruished scientist, utteTs these signincan
words: at i becoming common re
mark that we are approaching state Z
which laws are practically made onE-ol
doors. and simply registered By Parli9
ment-and II So, then the actual Norl
: af LEGISLATION IS more the work Of tho2
: Who modify the ideas Of the electors
! Il than of those who give elect to tnea
! fdens.n That Is eminentlg true ct Amer
|. ican civil and political life And "a
! onf.of-door influence that most mie1kil
! Yields public opinion &nd formulate
: pfincioles that aud statutory ekpresslo'
: / Is halls of I1kisI1ti0n, Is the American
s nfess. And into tie ddmlnl tlen
!. these LAWS is i1I|1ente goes FeItez'fal
ing s. IntiUld1finR the judge Qa ta
bench. and Inspiring q covering g
& fnf1 81 The bQ4.
81 IS rk consider {
|.sls n. ia.