The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-07
The Duty Of a Secular Newspaper.
Lou7,dcsuiLe advertiser.

That the newspaper is the power OF
The country, is fact beyond question.
The great trouble is, so few secular pa
pers seem to be fully conscious Of this
power, and Of the fact that it finds
those who control such papers with all
the consequences belonging 10, and
growing out of, an individual respon-
sibility. They deal with subjects and
things as though their existence was
to control the world, and yet apparent
ly Indifferent to all the consequences.
1t is indeed distressing to note the
drift of many Of the secular news
papers of this country.
They get into political channel
and deal with it as though its only
duty was to pander to the public senti-
ment of the people, and is considered
a success, jdst to the degree that it
chimes in with the views of the ma.
jorty. At times they will flame Ikea
meteor on some theme, as unworthy
of public attention, as an insect Is to
the locomotive, and then when some
great subject is sprung, touching ev-
cry fibre, and effecting every pulsa-
ton of society, and out of which must
come untold results, they remain pro-
foundly silent. Enquire as to the 81
lcnce-ask the editor why is it he has
said nothing pro nor con on so impor-
tant a subject and he will tell you it
was religious subject and his paper
is not religious paper. His is q secu-
lar paper, and is not expected to be re-
ligiOus.
1t is great misfortune to Journal
ism that lines of distinction have been
drawn. and that no paper is, or can be,
religious, without being denomination
al, and that no paper can be considered
secular, if religious. There are secu-
lar papers in this country (edited by So
called Christians, too) which, I actual
Iy believe, are afraid to deal with liv-
ing moral questions, lost they be con-
sidered religious. They may lose
their secular cast, and not be looked
upon as loyal to some political creed.
If many of the newspapers of this
commonwealth, who labor so hard to be
politically distinguished, would con-
sumo more time and space, in dealing
with moral topics, scientific and re-
ligious subjects, and address them
selves to the higher and better facul-
ties of human nature, they would soon
find less cause for such zeal and fidel-
ity for political creeds.
1t is the edcuation, elevation, and
progression of the race in the moral
and intellectual realmns that Is to per-
feet all political experiment, and make
permanent the government of our IA
thers, and possible the realization Of
our hopes. A dignified principle, and
living conviction of all that Is best
and right. should characterize the sec
ular press. Short of this, no paper Is
worthy of O name.
Newspaper power is too great to be
abused, the opportunity too grand, and
the consequences too lasting.
Shame on the editor who is too dead
to all that concerns the better elements
of society, to deal with strains OF
thought and truth, which address
themselves to mans intellectual and
moral life.
1t is as disagreeable to deal with a
newspaper void of principle as Is an
unprincipled individual, and news
paper power, without principle, is the
most dangerous commodity among
any people.
1t is curse to the country. o ruin
Gus educator of the people, and gives
to the Courts the largest revenue Of
criminals of any power now in exist
ence.