Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-03-24

name 1t Life" His critics are not fad
lists and would be quick to condemn
such caricsture. If editors could con-
troll events there can be little doubt but
what they would skip the slow processes
of the ages and have the millennium at
once. But having no such power they
are obliged, like other mortals. to accept
the situation just about as they find it and
| do, in their own way, what little they can
to hasten the chariot of progress
Editors do great deal To limit the ac-
tivities of the criminal world. The fear
| OF publicity has more terrors for many
people, than the fear of the law. 1t is
one of the greatest moral restraints on
would-be offenders, and therefore one of
the greatest safeguards of society. News
papers play most important part in
bringing criminals to justice. They put
the public on its quart and make detec-
tives of the masses. The Sfain-Cromwell
case In our own State Is an excellent IL
lustration of this fact. The greatest
medicines in the world are air and sun
light. Once open up the fostering ulcers
on the body polite to these great rene
dial agents, and the patient is already on
his way To recovery. A m4wkI-h prudery
that insists on covering up the sore spots
in the community Is hostile to its highest
interests, The mould that. decaying in
the dark corners of the cellar, is breed
or of pestlence, and menace to the
health Of the household, If carried into
the light and air of the outer world, loses
its poisonous character AMI mingles with
the earth to add to its productiveness.
Corruption thrves on darkness; exposed
TO the searching light Of day it withers
and dies. Looking back over the pages
81. 49,,
always been one of the most inveterate
and determined opponents of human pro-
gress. In this age of reason her influence
should be small. LET there be light"
There is just as much need of 1t to-day as
there was in the first dawn of creation.
Every editor must decide for himself
the manner and the form in which he
shall chronicle the current events of the
day. Upon this decision depends the tone
"f paper, determines it, constituency.
The true journalist will always have for
his aim the highest welfare of the com
nunity aud to this end will exert his
most nutiring efforts. The community
VIII never be found unrt-ppnsive To hon
est. earnest work In it, bchalf
The editor Is usually called upon 10
give more for charity than almost anv
man in the community and generally
gives il. II i rare indeed that mer-
chant who has contributed lihrraliy from
hi- stock IN trade is asked for ~ubecrip.
fipn in cash; but this is by No mean. an
uncommon experience with a newspaper
publisher. An editors space Is just a
much stock In trade as merchants
TRY goods or groceries. II costs him
money aud IL must be paid for. II he
makes a practice Of giving 1t away he
VIII meet with about a. much business
success a a merchant would who follow
ed similar policy. Publishers who sue
ceed are those who Insist IN receiving a
fair equivalent for what they have to sell
They cannot afford 10 make exceptions to
this rule
The modern press is the greatest
safeguard against corruption and fraud
70 it. gigantic labors is largely due the
marvellous advancement of the age In
The language Of an cxf hange: The
newspaper is the helper of the church
ami the school, of religion, science, art.
industry. agriculture, of everything which
concerns the good of the State. 1t Is the
very prop and stay Of public spirit, the
most potent enemy Of public wrong or in
justice. The editor who applies himself
To his work with a true conception Of his
responsibilities. and who has a stiff spinal
column In deaiDg with the matters that
come before him, will never lack client.
age. Opposition or competition cannot
overcome him Ga the ofhe. hand the
chances always are that keeping coura-
grousiy and tcnaciously to his work hr will
overcome them. newspaper Is plant
Of slow and tedious growth, but once es-
tabiShed it- vitality Is something remarka-
bic. A. Well might We try to tear PArnas-
sus from it, base when once it has become
we'll rooted in a thrifty soil.
Editors DO not often become million
aires, especially on what our metropoi-
tan brethren are pleased tn call, 1.-THE
country press" but they generally make a
comfortable living. This il about all
any of Us get out of this life, though, to
be sure, there is considerable difference
IN what men consider a living. Even
If the faithful and conscientious editor
should not succeed In LAYING up many
treasures in this world, he can scarcely
fail to store them in the next. aud that,
too, at an elevation beyond the reach of
his detraCtors. He will proceed ever
upon the firm belief that A good name is
rather 10 he chosen than great riches" aud
when at length he lays aside his busy pen
it will be:
with days completed and with labors crown
ed"