The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1894-03-24
NO. 45.
The Acquittal of RatIiT.

When Editor Ratlitf. OF the Kosciusk0
Endic0t0r. killed Representative Jack
son and two others in a street fight in
that town the Appenl-ArUlunche took
occasion TO animadvert upon the kind
of journalism that led to homicide. As
10 the merits Of the case, so far as Rat
lift and Jackson were concerned, it had
nothing to say--the decision lying
wholly within the province of the jury.
Yesterday Mr.. Ratlitf was acquitted by
jury Of his peers, and is now free to.
20 about his business. But his acquit--
tai has nothing to do with the Appeal
Ardlanche' s original contention viz: that
no editor has the right to permit his,
columns to be used by any man who
wishes to cast opprobrium upon
another. It was not Mr.. Ratliff who
did this, but the editor OF rival paper,
who allowed Jackson to call Ratliff "a
- Internal liar" in his paper. Up to-
that time this editor had had no part,
in a controversy which, though politi-
cal in its nature, was largely personal.
It was that sentence which caused three
men to 60 to their death. The prompt
itude with which the jury acted in re-
leasing Ratliff shows that the men,
bers regarded the insult mortal and
the encounter inevitable. The ARRAY,
however, had lesson that should sink
deep into the heart of every man who
undertakes to occupy the editorial
chair. No good ever comes OF personal
controversies in print, when those con-
troversies reach the point OF inter-
change Of denunciations. No advocate
ever won Il victory for principle by
the use Of insulting Language to an op-
pOnent, and no editor can afford to stay
in the work of journalism if such re-
quirement is made of him. The idea
that an editor can disclaim responsible
ity when he admits, knowingly, insult
ing communications, because it is con-
trary to reason and justice, and decency.
The reckless use Of newspapers by per-
sons desiring to vent their spleen on
one another, has been the cause of
enough bloodshed. In Mississippi
there have been too many homicides on
account Of this disregard of journalis-
tic ethics during the last half dozen
years. But Mississippi has not been
peculiar in this respect. Journalism
must be relieved of this stigma upon
the editorial calling, and the press as
sociations of all the States should en-
deavor to protect the profession from
the reckless abuse Of its privileges on
the part OF those who have no adequate
mprehension of an editors respon-.
sibilities and duties. There must be
maintained standard of honor SO high
that no cause shall ever again be given
for such a fearful tragedy as that which,
happening at kosciusko, filled the state
with horror, and brought grief mex
pressibe to so many households. 1t is
possible for an editor to tell the truth,
even though it hurts, without indulg-
ing in invective. 1t is possible for an
editor to do his full duty by society,
his party and the public, without in
dulging in billingsgate himself or per-
mitting any one else to do so in his col
umns, and that is the kind of Journal
ism which is needle. 1t should be a
misdemeanor at least, in every State,
for an editor to provoke breach of the
peace by printing language which can
not be tolerated by the person against
whom it is directed. -Memphis Appenl-
Arnl0nche.