Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-05-15

them even before they have fairly left
the nursery; expands reports of their
childish festivities ;advcrtiseS the clothes
they wear, and unseSes them so far as
the chief charm of young w0manhOOd
is concerned TO all right thinking
people.
So, after all, it seems. my friends,
that editorial ethics comprises simply
the duty that devolves upon any
teacher, the elevation, intellectually
and morally, of the taught. The cdi
tor has larger class than the ped
agOgue and greater congregation
than the preacher. His profession Is
so powerful that it has come to be call
ed the tonrth estate-those that pre-
cede it beng the family, the church, the
state. In the interest of these three
journalism has no quarrel with, but is
the ally of the teacher and the minis
ter. II acknowledges its impcriections
of too scanty knowledge, hasty and
often illconsidcred Judgments, Ian
gna9e sometimes OF but little culture,
too careless preparation OF ARTICLES up
on important subjects. Aye! it even
admits that here and there in its
ranks are venal and corrupt influences,
not possess the first qualification OF
knowledge or of decency; but what
would you? 1t is a human institution.
AT least it is progressing. IL has AS
piraiions. 'Thc men ut the helm seek
to know their duty. Within the last
few years they have made gigantic
strides,in independence and maniiness,
in better hopes and purposes lin cOurte-
In. ft.nr S.rI, in
their columns reason for passion, and
argument for personal abuse and de-
nunciatiOn. The good that may be ac
complished by the smallest page that
any of us edit can hardly be computed,
and that this good shall come we need
only to realize the responsibility that
rests upon us to educate-ourselves.
The lecturer that should mount the
rostrum to deliver an address upon
sub ject that he had not Investigated
would likely be hisscd down as an
empiric and a cheat, and yet some of us,
| fear, venture to teach where we have
not studied. The editor is journalism.
He is the helmsnan of the craft; at his
tonch 1t tnrms into right
or wrong direction. The ethics
of his profession, therefore, becomes
important in that it works veal or
woe, not only to his craft but 10 the
people that it bears. To steer it well
he must not only know where he de-
sires to go, and the way to get there,
but he must also be informed as To the
rocks and derelicts in the way, against
which he might otherwise collide But
if with Il good chart aud firm purpose
he starts out on his VOYAGE, be he an
old navigator or novice, there need
be no fear as to its propitious ending.
Metaphor aside, if duty is the cOntrOll-
ing influence OF the editor he will be
swayed by no monopolistic influences.
no selfish rings; nor will he be con-
trolled by blind ignorance which seeks
by lawless methods to procure any
thing however praisewOrthy. He will
love his profession and seek TO extend
its influence only by advocating the
right, and he will endeavOr to place
Journalism unchallenged in the posi-
iiOn of the fourth estate, working out
intelligentIy and fearlessly the great
problems of Il society advancing day
by day in Intelligence, in happiness
and in, peace.