The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-06-08
CHE ArmOrraf- Star
Baptist Record.

journalism, and u good deal is bein!
said in the papers about it.. 1t is
topic needing wise discussion.
Personal journalism is ~juurnalin
about persons. Whether ii is righ.
or not depends altogether on cir
cumstances. No thoughtful per
sol can either condemn or approve
it without discrimination, At
tacks made Oh individuals IN priv
ate life, or on officials without
cause, ought TO be condemned
Newspaper ISLANDERS ought 10 be
punished by the law, as made and
provided in snch cases. Undoub..
edly, Editors should be held to ac-
count, both at the bar public opIn-
ion and at the bar of the State
for a malicious use of their col
ums,
But there is a personal Journal
ism perfectly right and altogether
necessary TO the perpetuatlon Of
free institutIons-necessary TO the
purity of parties and The elevation
of public morals. Let US take an
honest look at the question as it,
Illustrated by known cases,
Last year a man was nominated
for the Senate one ofour MISSISSIPPI
pl Senatorial Districts. He was a
drunkard, but the great mass Of
the voters of the district did not
know if. It would have been per-
sonal journalism to have stated the
fact in a paper. 1t was done; he
was elected and disgraced himself
and the State by a prolonged de-
bauch at Jackson. Would person.
al journalism Lave been wrong IN
that case?
The recent Democratic Conven-
ton chose, as an elector to 90 be-
fore our Soung men, with the hon
ors of that position on him, a man
who was repeatedly drunk during
his terms OF service in The Legisla-
ture last winter. 1t would be per-
sonal journalism to mention his
name and protest against thus hon
oring a son of Bacchus, but ought
the people to know! If sobrety is
worth nothing in public life ought
we not TO understand it?
Ii was personal journalism that
turned the light on thelving Of Boss
Tweed hunted him, from place to
place, and finally securely turned
the keys OF The penitentiary on
him. 1t was personal journalism
that singled out Jacob Sharp and
brought him before the bar OF his
country TO recieveJust recompense
of reward OF bribery. 1t was the
intense personal journalism that
brought Judge Ford and conspira-
tors and cO-assaSsins 10 justice in
New Orleans. 1t was personal
journalism that hung the Anar-
chistsi in Chicago and grave a pledge
Of safteyto the people. 1t was per-
sonal journalism that DESTROYED
the plans and purposes OF Aaron
Burr. 1t was personal Journalism
thai overthrow AmeS' direful rule
in Mississippi, and the hord Of adj
venturers who plundered the
South a dozen years ago. Ii was
personal Oratory that crushed the
muderous plot of Cataliue and
saved Rome from slaughter and
plumber. 1t was personal speech
that brought lsrael's SHINING King
10 repentance when Nathan told -,
him, "Thou art the man." 1t was
personal speech that caused John
he Baptists' head to come OF, and
n due time, the destruction Of the
bloody Herodism dynasty. 4
1t was personal journalism that /
brought out and acquainted The '
people off M~issisgipal with defalca
ion and jobbery and cruelty con d
lected with our State Penitentiarv. o
It was personal journalism that "
liked the guilt where it belongs.
was personal journalism that !,
brought TO the notice Of the public a.
he repeated pardonings Of known n
lssassins, and personal journalism
yet to have saved our country re
rom The varied evils of public oil
and m~isrule. "
1t is well to sharply condemn ~
buses of personal journalism, but
o inveigh against personal journal OF
SIN altogether, is to set up The
urest retreat for all manner of pub
pests. 1t is utterly without :,
ense or precedent, against the gen
is OF free institutions, and a free II
ress which has ever held public
10 account in their own proper
ersons for their acts. The thing p
mischievous, dangerous, without II
Jason and reasonable 10 every in y
crest of the State and OF society,
n intelligent, free people will
ever consent 10 have the press SO
luzzled. co
This paper is devoted 10 religion to
nd morality as effected by social Pc
nd political influence. We will
ever consent TO be restrained from ar
)eaking of public men and public an
Ieasures as they deserve. With dr.
purgeon We think, if men will cor in
ipt The public, it Is a small thing M
Y us to inform the public of it.
We sincerely hope that the press -
The State and country will give +
this question a calm, discrimin-
ing discussion. 1t has long wait "
! tor it. II there is a real discuss an
n OF 1t, the whole press will come 4
carer the truth. The tendency j
Ill be inform the public mind,
rength the weak and hesltating
lDpre and enrb Tho fmpafuour md TO