The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-26

the public mind, and their editors vain
ly imagine they are raising tremen-
dous dust. But things are not always
what they seem. 1t is the old fable OF
the fly and the chariot wheel. Let. the
boasting fly get Oft the chariot wheel
and it will realize soon how ipsignifi-
cant it is.
So far from extreme men and news
papers exercising a controlling infiu-
ence they simply float on the tide and
are carried along by it. 1t is easy to
float; the test of strength comes when
one buffets against the waves. The
journalist with the majority appears to
he doing great things; bnt he is only
following, not leading. ..~..s,,I
And here arises the question that
presents itself at one time or another
to every conscientious editor How
far shall be governed in the conduct
of my paper by the opinions Of the
people? The argument on one side is
that the people are the rightfu! rulers,
and therefore entitled ohave their own
views and measures carried out ;that
this is q government of the people, ny
the people. for the people, and there
fore whatever they want done should
be done, and that it is undemocratic to
oppose them. The more pleasant course
would assuredly be to 60 with the peo-
pie, or majority. That involves no
effort and no sacrifice and it entities
one to be rega7ded-by the politicians
at least-as 'friend of the people" If
a newspapers simply to be the mouth
piece OF a clique. whether large or
small, that is the proper course; but if
it aspires to be an exponent of truth
and right, regardless of majorities, or
miuorities, or clioues. or factions, it
must form its own opinions on public
matters and express them frankly, if
not fearlessly.
Msjorities are not always right; in
deed it is debatable question whether
they are oftener right or wrong. And
there is no telling when or why ma
jorities may change from one side to
another of a public question. Let any
editor who hesitates between follow
ing his own sense of right or going
with the crowd reflect that in the most
essential matter of human existence
the majority is wrong. II be needs
proof here it is: 'Wide is the gate and
broad is the way that leadeth to de-
struction, and many there be which go
in thereat; because straight is the gate
and narrow is the way that leadeth
unto life and few there be that find it."
If the majority is wrong in this inn
portant matter, how much more in
matters of less consequences? In the
presence of this declaration vino will
maintain the infallibility of majorities?
1t is wiser in this instance, as in many
others of less importance, to go with
the few than with the many.
But majorities are not always wrong.
One may be on the popular side of a
question and still be right; and this is
a very pleasant position to occupy. 1t
is bad enough to be a floater on the
tide OF popularity, it is worse to be q
journalistic Ishmael, whose hand is
against every man and every mans
hand is against him, chronic fretter
and kicker against everything that is
Charles A. Dana on small scale; for
in this field he stands without rival.
This is not independence or individual
lity, but stubborness and general Gus
sedness, for which no amount of learn
ing or skill or genius can atone.
The journalist who pursues the even
tenor of his way, independent of all:
factions and all politicians, will as often;
find himself on the side of the people
as he who sets his sails to catch the
favoring -breezes. There is peculiar
satisfaction in being On the side of the
majority when the majority is right;
for then one has the appreciation of his
own conscience and the commendation
of bis fellow citizens-both extremely
gratifying to any well-regulated mind.
All things come to those who wait, if
they only do their duty while waiting.
George Washington says, in letter to
Prof. Luzac, of Leyden, December 2,
1897: "In times Of turbulence, when
the passions are afloat, calm reason is
swallowed up in the extreme to which
measures are carried; but when these
subside, and the empire Oft is resumed,
the man who acts from principle, and
pursues the path of truth, moderation
and justice, will regain his influence"
The greatest danger to journalism is
not lack OF independence, but lack of
training and qualification for the office
and work of editor. To be a physician
one must devote himself for years to
the study of medicine. The lawyer
must 60 through a tedious and labori-
Gus course of reading. The carpenter,
the blacksmith, the shoemaker must
acquire skill by long and patient prac-
tice. But the editor, whose knowledge
should be all embracing, needs only a
hand press and few pounds of type to
enlighten the world on the tissues of
the day." With meagre information,
with no originality or power Of think
ing, he can only become an echo Of
some man or clique, to be used for a
time and then cast aside. Every man
who can put words together and spin
out sentences is not an editor any more
than eve one who bangs on piano is
3 musician. The public is too exacting
in some things, but in this matter its
standard is much too low.