Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-01-09
For THE HERALD.
THOUGHTS ON EDITORS.

THOUGHTS ON EDITORS.
Mr.. EDITOR.-Allow me to con-
graduate you on yoursuccess in being
able to associate with ysu in the
publication of THE HERALD, the
Hon. George F. Evans. With regard
to your editorial in last issue, we can
heartily endorse all you have said
concerning him, having known him
from childhood. Friend Evans, in
his introduction to the public, has
remarked, to him the field is new /;
permit me to add, also large, response
BILE, and full of enemies along the line
of duty; but editors who are men of
rejecting and Analysing minds, llber-
al views, and lofty principles, students
of human nature, cool, deliberate,
firm in purpose, decisive in action,
will rise like the Lion from his lair,
and achieve victories over any who
are corrupt in design, principle or
practice. No one can too highly ap-
preciate the power of the press, or too
deeply deprecate its abuses, as news
papers have become the great high
way of that intelligence, which ex-
perts a controlling power over our
nation. Their whole aim should be,
to enlighten and improve mankind,
and avoid all publications calculated
to produce ill blood; should be stand
ards of truth, promoters of peace, in
EDUCATORS of pure morality, free from
personal invectivesonp personal charac-
ter; public good never requires an
editor to expose domestic relations,
and MINOR faults; it is law of ma
ture, that each mass ofmatter contains
the material to effect its own destruc-
ton. Let those who send their papers
out before the public, lay this to heart,
that the rays of burning truth will
make us as nation, healthful, vigor-
GUS and strong. Let them feel with
mountain weight that upon them,
more than upon any other class of
men, rests the high responsibility of
maturing the moral character of the
rising generation. Let them be the
champions of virtue terror to evil
doors, and the advocates of those who
do well.
Jan. 4th, 1886. M.
We welcome these wholesome
thoughts from a man of years of ex.
perience with human nature, and of
knowledge in the laws. AS he never
had any newspaper experience, we
will note few of its difficulties and
assure him that any further thoughts
on the subject will be thankfully re-
ceived and followed OUT as our
efforts heretofore must have convinc-
ed him that we desire to do our
duty to the public in our humble
calling. There are only two ways
Of conducting a newspaper,-the
one to pander to every taste of the
public, good or bad, with one object.
that of making money at any sacr,
fee; the other is taking a higher
plane and looking ahead for the
interests of the people, cautioning
even at the risk Of being censured /:
advocating measures which are not
popular but which in the end would
tend to the public good; opposing
the schemes politicians and money
makers which are baited to catch
the unwary, with but one ultimate
object, that of self-lnterest and
self preferment. The latter course,
though right and just, is made most
unpopular by designing men, who
misrepresent and exaggerate in
order to gain their ends. 1t is true,
that after time sets things in their
true light and opens peoples eyes
sometimes by the saddest experience,
the right course is recognized, but
vindication often comes too late.-
We could give many instances OF
matters we advocated here, for
which we were denounced and abus.
ed, and which are now adopted and
admitted to be for the best interests
of the community. So also with
many things which in course of time
people will give us credit for discern.
ing their true inwardness, but which
now are looked upon as contrary to
public spirit on personal grounds
Newspapers like individuals, can
not always remain quiet when assail-
ed; when personal character is con-
cerned mans life is sufficient proof
and evidence to a fair minded pub.
lie; but where mans public actions
are falsified people are apt to Judge
hastily and unjustly, when selfde-
fence becomes necessary. True
merit is bound to bring its own re-
ward. We shall profit 10y any advice
friend en-" may be kiad enough to
give.