Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-09


The Hooking &'fiset calls attention to an
Important TACT. Members Of the journalistic
profession are held to strict accountability at
the bar OF public opinion for all unnecessary
personal abuse or utilization OF individuals.
and are liable to the VACATIONS and expenses OF
u libel sui. if they are rockies as to tho
charges they make in reference to the conduct
Of citlkeus.
Ibis is all well enough. for Journalism while
it must necessarily deal with persons shouhl 10
50 conacicntiously and truth iuily. and not ac.
cordmg to the personal dislikes. quarrels or
enmities OF the journalist, nor according to that
taste for detraction and SANDER which with
some men seems natural and instructive
But while the profession OF Journalism is
rightly held up TO :iiis lofty standard tho Seat-
i,ei wants to know Why it il that the loyal uro-
fession should in practice be almost wholly ex-
empt from it. lawyer may stand up in a
court room III presence OF the assembled pub
lie and launch upon the individual whose suit
| lao Is opposing and Upon that individuals w.t.
nesses anu friends whole torrents Of vitppsra-
tioE, obioquy and abuse without being called
10 account for IL and without Liability to be
called 10 account. The best, puccst ami most
honorable citizon il Il community 81. king ius-
ice i'll the courts may thas be niaae the victim
OF the fouest. yii,si and most damaging Oh
slaushs upon his reputation. standing and
character, and has absolutely no redress what
u,
lawyer is privileged"
OF course there are hish-mindcd gentlemen
IN the legal profession who would scurn 10 in
iu!Se in this vitupcrGtion and Islander. But
there arc Others who delight in it. whose
principal stock IN trade 1t Is, and who are per-
maps sometimes employed by dishonorable
clients solely OH account OF their ability and
willingness 20 Willy and abuse. And indeed, it
may be said that the license accorded to
lawyers in this respect is standing tempta-
ton to the entire procession.
Now, all this Ii wrong. The lawyer should no
more be privileged to reckiessly libel and
siander his fellow citizcns than should the
editor. The power OF pubic opinion should be
brought to bear against personal law practice
~ well as against personal Journalism. And the
lawyer who unnecessarily assails individual
Character, reputation and motives and falsely
attributes immoral and wrong dong to citlzens
In court room, should DO made legally re.
sponslble therefor as much Az the Journalist
who does the same things in the columns Of a
newspaper.
Neither lawyer nor journalist should be held
responaiDls for anything said or printed In good
iaiih aud with no intention to do injustice or
wrong, tor the public interest requires that the
tongue OF the lawyer aud The pen OF the editor
shall be alike free; but as no public interest in
subserved by personal SANDER. libel, ta,sehood
ana Reckless auuse Of individuals by the editor
SO no pubic interest and no Requirements OF
justice IL subscrvei through the SANDER. vi.
tuperatton and personal abuss of indiyiduals
on the part ef the lawyer. Both Journalist aud
lawyer are indeed necessarily '.priyileged'' in
the true and nobier sense Of tho term but
neither should be privileged to disregard ths
rights OF citizens or to commit wiliful wrong
March a. 1892