The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-21
THE PRESS AS AN EDUCATOR.

From an address on this subject read
by H. j. Vail, before the Universalist
State Convention held at Pasadena,
CAL, June 7, we make the following
pertinent extracts:
"To assert that the press is an educa-
tor is to affirm a proposition that no
one will dispute. Its influence is so
general, so well understood and so
thoroughly recognized that there re-
mains no ground for argument on that
point. AS proposition, it is equiv
alent to saying the sun shines, the rain
falls, the evening succeeds the morn
ing, and the seasons come and go. If
there could be found room to debate
this affirmative declaration, all doubts
would be speedily dispelled by investi
cation. To concede that it is an edu-
Gator is by no means satisfying. 1t
but stimulates thought and institutes
inquiry as to the extent and character
of its teachings, its influence. To
these two points, therefore, l invite
your considerate attention.
The press has a field of labor that is
circumscribed only by the bounds Of
standardization. 1t is not satisfied to
be confined to the narrow limits en-
bracing less than score Of nationali-
ties that are peopled by only few
hundred millions of rational and re-
sponsible beings, but it boldly spurns
all restraint, overleaps the barriers of
civilization and resolutely asserts its
dominion and power in lands where the
glad sunlight of Christianity has not
dawned.
No other instrumentality addresses
so large an audience. The pulpit
speaks to its hundreds, the press to its
tens of thousands. The minister meets
his audience on Sundays; the press
every day in the week. The minister
discourses on some subjects, the press
on all questions rightfully demanding
public attention. The former is sys-
tematically limited in his field Of re-
search, of thought and dissemination,
may not tell more than he believes,
but with the latter the situation is diff
ferent. The press is or may be abso-
lutely free, as untrammeled as the
wind, may enter every avenue of inves-
tigation, is even INDUCED in asserting
vastly more than it knows.
Frankly and freely admitting that
journalism is not what it should be,
there exists no cause for discourage
mept. Indeed, the conviction that the
standard of press education needs
elevating, furnishes a fruitful and
tempting incentive to remain in har-
ness, to continue to press forward. If
editors did not know enough to realize
that there is ample room for improve
ment, and that there exists an impera-
tive demand therefor, they might well
lay aside their pens and pass quickly
into obscurity. The world would lose
nothing and gain much by their retire
meut. The same may be said of all
educators, whether they be members
of the press, ministers in the pulpit,
teachers in the schools, or parents in
the home.
The fact that the influence of the
press is 50 widespread should be a
matter for universal rejoicing. 1t is in
reality what the Bartholdi statue
symbolizes Liberty enlightening the
world.
With such a field of labor, field EN-
braeing four-ffths of the globe, with
an audience consisting of hundreds of
millions of intelligent people, the press
rightfully demands recognition as king
among educators.
1t has not yet risen to the full dig
nifty Of its high calling. Practically it
has only commenced to ascend the
mountain of investigation. 1t has
much to learn IS we'll as to perform
1t nee6s to see itself as others see it,
to be convinced of its imperfectiors,
its mistakes. In other words, the
press needs education. The more it
receives the more il will be able to i'm
part. The press should lose no oppor-
tunity to demonstrate that wisdom is
justified of her children" With that
as its motto, ever carefully treading in
wisdom's pleasant pathways it is impos-
sible to materially err. They are words
that should be placed on the walls Of
every sanctum, and beneath them every
editors hand should write: IN hoe signO
uinceS-by this sign we conquer. With
these words ever in view and the spirit
thereof instilled into the heart of him
who writes, truer edu cation will be
impaired and humanity will have oe-
casion to rejoice. With the fountain
thus strengthened, purified and sweet
ened the stream that emanates there
from will carry blessings wherever it
tlows. The labor Of the press is most
thoroughly appreciated when it mani
tests most of the spirit of real human
ity. When it demonstrates that it is
no respector of persons, refuses to turn
from pleading the cause Of the poor