The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-29
The Newspaper in a Crisis

In great crises in communities, how
often do We ind that the newspaper Is the !
first To come to the front and make stand
against the panic that too often prevails
after a catastrophe. This IL probably to
be accounted for by the fact that the news
paper il a public organ, and that the
editor is expected 10 put in shape the sen
timent OF the public, 10 express the ideas
which hoat vaguely thro' the minds OF the
community. A knowledge Of the fact that
such is expected Of them makes the news
paper man more likely 70 keep cool, IN
orde. that he may be able 10 place in
proper shape the ideas which, although
they may peryade the whole community,
hnd their first Ineligible expression in
the daily newspaper.
As an instance OF the truth OF this faSt
We viii now only aiiude to the effect OF
the recent terrible catastrophe in Charles
ton The whole community was unneryed,
and confusion reigned supreme throughout
the city. No one seemed to Know what 10
do OF which way to turn. Individuals
were naturally concerned only with their
own affairs, and none thought OF the gen
eral interest until the newspaper, whose
province ii Is to deal with public events,
first summarized the extent of the damage
and then gave expression to the manner in
which il could be relieved
The cool, collected mind Of the editor al
the Charleston News and Courier, Capt. F.
w Dawson, was equal tn the OCCASION
and he, speaking through the columns Of
his widely circulated paper, was the first
to cheer the nearts and lift up the minds
| Of his suffering fellow citizens. His cheer
| ing words we're the first to bring sunshine
| 20 the sufferers and 70 throw q ray OF light
uPou their future.
| Beyond the mayor and all the officers of
1 the city, this editor OF the medium through
which the people derive the daily news
| became the hero Of the hour and stands
to-day before not only has own community,
| but the world, OF one Of the greatest bene-
factors Of his afflicted city. Hope in the
/ future OF Charleston has not deserted him.
and he Is difiu-ing his own spirit into the
hearts OF his ieliow-townsmen. He does
not dwell entirely on Charleston's misfor-
tunes, but IS fall of encouragement Tor the
business men OF the city, and his fellow
citizens, knowing his heroic disposition,
are fast imbibing his feelings and begin
ming to act upon his views.
The example Of the editor Of the Jews
and Courier should be cherished by those
whom fate has placed in control Of the
newspaper, and rheY should feel that often
the destiny OF a community Is IN theil
hands to greater extent than III those o.
any other ndiyidual.-Natehez Democrat.
The newspaper deserves every word Of
commendation spoken in its behalf By
our respected contemporary, and tn,
talented editor of the Negs and ColuieY
is an editor OF whom the fraternity may
well feel proud, but it does seem 70 u,
that if the mission of newspaper is st
put in shape the sentiment of the pub
lie" TO use the words Of the Democrat
the earthquake at Charleston would no
have furnished the opportunity to pa
tribute to the mission of the press
The whole community was unneryet
and confusion reigned supreme through
out the city, no one seemed to know
what TO do or which way to turn In
dividuals were naturally concerned onl,
with their own affairs, and none though
of the general interest,"" but the daunt
less editor twas equal to the OCCASION
and cheered the hearts of the despond
: ent. Had the mission of the newspape
been to put in shape the sentiment c
the people there would have been n
sunshine in the columns of the Ne,c8 an
+ Courier Tor the citizens of the stIieke
city. The truth is that the newspape
should be the leader of public sent
ment in storm and calm, in victory an
defeat, and it is impossible that a goot
newspaper can ever become panic
l stricken.