The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-07-25

early days of our national history came the
acknowledgement of our superior greatness
In the way OF manhood and progress, when
speaking at London banquet given to the
founder of the independent press, and one
who never failed to bear the responsibilities
of that position with honor, and who enjoy
ed the privileges it conferred with dignity,
when he said to him: "Happy proud Ameri-
ca! The lightnings of heaven yielded to
your philosophy. and the temptations of
earth could not seduce your patriotism"
Gentlemen of the Michigan Press, fellow
loborers In this broad field OF human action,
can we justly claim for ourselves, that we
are as Franklin was, i'm that early day.
meeting with honor the responsibilities rest
ing upon us? Are we doing our whole
duty to the public fearlessly, and in accord
with the dictates of an enlightened con-
science? If so, then like him, we may
quietly enjoy the privileges conferred by
this high estate. But would not exact or
expect the impossible. There has, in
human history, been but one Franklin, nor
Is there any reason to expect that the exegi-
ences of time may demand another, and yet
he who does well his part i'm the existing
drama OF life, does all that Franklin did.
his duty, though the duties may not be of
the same transcendent Importance those
were. which in that age devOlved on the
worlds greatest philosopher. Yet on each
OF us there are responsibilities resting, the
Importance of which cannot be overstimat-
ed, and which, If met as Franklin met those
devolving OH him, will leave the world the
better for our having lived.
But believe the responsibilities resting
on the press. and the privileges that there
unto belong are not justly appreciated.
The press is not money making machine,
1t never has been and never will be, taken
as whole. In fact, it is not machine, it
is an engine of human power and the re-
sponsibillty rests upon us to make that
power felt by the world at large for the
best interests of society. But the editor to
be power for good in society. must be a
man of culture, alive in the fields of art,
science and literature, and at all times a
gentleman in all the relations of life. He
must realize that 1t is not in harmony with
his high calling, to descend to personal
abuse under any circumstances, or to use
his high position to pull down his fellow
men. A wise man has said that ''He who
makes two blades of grass grow where only
one grew before, is public benefactOr."
and the world has accepted that as fact,
and is constantly acting on that theory.
What then shall we not say of him, who
bids the down trodden human flowers of
earth to rise, and clothes a sterile world
with the millennial glory of developed
thought, high moral purpose, christian
intelligence; and inculates that spirit, which
leads us to recognize the Fatherhood of God
and the universal brotherhood of man.
Thoughts and suggestions along this line
could be extended almost without limit, and
yet, perhaps enough has been said to accom-
plish the purpose of this paper. AS the
press of Michigan we should realize the
grave responsibilities that rest upon us; and
we should not fail to remember that we
WELD in part the power that shapes the
'destinies of human society; and that as that
power is used, so will be the worlds future,
and that it Is our privilege to be guiding
stars in the worlds onward progress. Shall
we not assume these responsibilities with
out murmer, and go forth in spirit of
manly dependence on the great Author of
all good, to do our whole duty, leaving cOn-
sequences to care for themselves. This,
believe to be the duty of the press; such its
privileges and responsibilities.