Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-06-25
MISSION or THE PRE-,

MISSION or THE PRE-
It IL Playing Mighty part in the Drama
- Of Progress.
Mr.. John e. Barrett. of the Scranton
(Pa.) Truth, at recent banquet, in re-
spending to the sentiment, "The Press"
said: Is there any thing new that can
be said OF the press? 1t speaks for itself
every morning and every afternoon. 1t
Is the tongue OF modern thought. With
out the press civilization would be
dumb. 1t is the gift Of speech in the
mouth of progress. and like many an
other great gift it is sometimes misused.
But we must not forget its merits in
contemplating its shortcomings. There
are spots on tho sun; but who is
willing to live in eternal dark
ness on that account? The sword
is often used by the despot, but that is
no reason why it should not be I'M
sheathed for the sacred cause of liberty.
Water is terrible in the torrent, but
must we, therefore, reject 1t when ut
droppeth as a gentle rain from Heaven"
u gladden. the meadow, and give an
added touch of green to the landscape?
The press is mighty weapon which
can be put to good or evil uses, and,
notwithstanding its critics, and they
are many, since every man knows how
to run newspaper better than the cd
itor, l am here to assert that it's wonder
full benefits to mankind as far exceed its
shortcomings as the monday glory of
the sun outshines the spots on the disc
of that great luminary. Rightly con-
Quoted it is sword and shield
that strikes a5 wrong in high places.
and defends the weak against
the entertainments of the strong.
Its best work is done when it enjoys the
largest freedom. Whenever despot of
the old world contemplates some dark
deed he muzzles the press. The average
despot would be happy if there were no
newspapers. It is the duty of the press
to print facts, but facts don't always suit
some persons. and they invariably ex-
claim: Don't say any thing about i'll"
When the mighty Car has poor, weak
woman logged to death in Siberia he
says to the newspapers of Russia: Don't
say any thing about it," and they don't,
because they dare not, and because they
are not free. When the worlds rulers
conspire against the people they gener-
ally say: Don't say any thing about it,"
when some honest and capable official
in our own country is removed to
make room for a more accomplished
ward statesman, who has not yet
learned the virtues of the Aus
tralian ballot system, the practical
politician says to his party paper:
"Don't say any thing about it," when
the United States Senate goes into EEK
ecutive session" to decide the relative
merits of the candidates for the Podunk
post-otfice, it says to the newspapers:
Don't say any thing about it," when .
great collision occurs on some railway
and hundreds Of lives lost, the railroad
officials cry out: Don't say any thing
about it" and when any thing else of
Importance occurs some good citizens
say: Don't say any thing about it, for
men, it is the solemn duty of the press
to speak about these things. No town
or village can be hurt nowadays
by the publication of facts; it is
their suppression that hurts. Tell
the truth" That's the thing to do,
whether it be about Car, a despot, a
railroad accident, hungry man or a
greedy corporation, and the paper that
does this without fear or favor will
serve the public best. Publicity is
good for every honest thought and &C.
ton. Out of wholesome publicity Of
the truth much good will come, and
not
By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour
The press is playing a mighty part in
the drama of progress, and we are proud
of it. We are proud of it's Stanlcys,
its Kennans, its McGahans and the very
long list of modern and modest knights
who, time and again, have flung their
lives against fate to pluck some jewel
of knowledge, Of liberty or of news
from the mouth of peril, aye death it.
self, for the benefit of humanity.