Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-06-30
The Secular Newspaper. ~

At the conference in Brunswick Thurs
day among the addresses was one written
by Amos Parker Wilder of the New York
Commercial Advertiser, the sut ject being
1.-THE Secular Newspaper.
From this excellent address, the author
Of which was born and bred in this city, the
JougS.L prints the following extracts,
space not admitting the whole:
While newspapers shape public morals
to an extent, it must not be forgotten that
the shameful things that appear in papers
are reflections of real life; and that bad
papers are printed because the public
want them. The temptation is constantly
to lower the tone of newspapers, for thus
said to relates the way to promote
circulation. Can you think of any way
to increase our list of subscribers?" was
rscen,ly asked 4 skilled newspaper man
in my hearing. mo way but to bring a
few bushes to the cheek of innocence"
was his caustic but significant reply. News
paper men are giving you people what you
want, | do not say they are right in cat
e-ing to the virious demand; but I do as
sert that the fac. Is a singing impeachment
Of the public taste.
The most shocking instance Of degen-
eracy of the press is the contest recently
held by the goddess Cincinnati Inquirer
to ascertain the most popular bar tender in
that city. The drinking saloons were filed
with excited throngs for days. One feels
in contemplating such things as he; does
when he finds the city hall of splendi
IN inicipality crowded with ignoramuses and
tn igs, the officials of the city. The wrong
men are in command. The conduct of city
government and the control of organs of
public opinion should be the peculiar and
exclusive province of the dristoi. the edu-
Gated, the aspiring, the noblest, the best.
1t was said of Edwin Booth, the actor,
that he gave the people, not what they
were supposed to want, but what they ought
to have. That, | take it. Is the principal
which should guide the Christian editor.
II is not the principal which has built up
some of the colossal nc~s1're- successes
of our times; il is not the principal OBJ
taiuing in many, must | say most, of the
newspaper offices in the cities at the pre-
ent time? Editors too often hold that news
is a commodity, like boots and shoes, or
matches. II the public wants brass tips on
their boots, or plain, and not engraved
watch cases, the trade hastens to con-
form to the demand. But surely
journalism is not trade, it is al
profession. IL Is a sacred calling, as truly
so as the ministry. The editor of paper
is the care taker of beacon light. 1t may
be the only beacon light in his community,
at all events he has an establishment that
may not readily be duplicated If lac does
not let his light shine there is darkness. His
ia the only bugle to soaud when an alarm
should he raised IL he does not sound it
in time of danger, of injustice, of orpres-
sion. those evils reign aud there is none to
combat them. A deep sense of RESPONSE
bility should indeed animate this man of
50 much power.
The secular press is of al in promoting
Christian truth and in cooperating with the
church just in proportion rs newspapers
are manned by Christian men. The more
of them in active newspaper life, the great
err their conservation, the deeper their sense
of responsibility the more space will be
gwen to religious news, the more earnest
and sympathetic tn, ir editorial expression,
the less prominence given to crime and
worldliness, the greater the check on Hip
pancy and irreverenee. Turn in newspaper
dom for ten years earnest Christian grad
uste of our colleges, and the standard Of
journalism and of Christian living in the
land would be UNNECESSARILY lifted. So
convinced am that the tone of commu
nifty. even its criminal rate, is influenced
by the character of newspaper reaiing
daily poured in the minis of the people,
that the need of healthy, strong Christian
men to enter the profession seems to me
more imperative than the call for such to
preach Christ's truth in heather lands.
Ideals are not alone for boarding school
girls commencement essays---ideals rule
the man. by they high or low, and men rule