Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-11-08
DEBORAH, IOWA, NOV. s, 1895.
A New Enterprise.


Another ewspaper-another worthy
enterprise of any kind added to a town
is usually benefit to the people. 1t
gives larger freedom of choice to
patrons; they have larger scope for selec-
lished before are stimulated to improve
upon and "hold their own" against a
sharpened, enlarged competition. The
newcomer ''enters the listsn asking
but civil recognition, a respectful
hearing, fair trial, a reasonable proba-
ton. If it cannot then sustain itself
keep abreast and on par, or forge ahead,
it must lag behind. If it cannot live,
when it must. This is the great
American prerogative.
Again, new paper gives greater
freedom to expression of differing
view and sentiment. And it promotes
liberality. A press monopoly" or a
tendency thereto, is the worst of any.
One or two old papers that have been
running in city for quarter of a
century or more, are apt to drift into a
censorship over their columns-as to
contributed matter, etc., that is too
rigid, arbitrary and selfish; admit moth.
ing that is not to their own individual
glory or pocket in some way-nothing
that is not "hewed, squared and fitted
to their own views"
We do not say this is true i'm Usage,
for we do not know.
But an old editor, in little city, that
has felt little friction of opposition,
has ministered SO long to the public
mind with kind of exclusive hand,
that he often comes to think that the
public don't want and shouldn't take
nourishment from any Other.
Again, any editorial disposition show
ing a kind of a monopolistic growl
toward newcomer, or kind of self
arrogating shrug, for the reason that
the veteran growler has occupied the
ground so long before that he has ac-
quired kind of right thereto by pre-
scription, is not fair, manly, brave
journalism. 1t is not American. 1t is
not what Americans are noted for low
ing-fair play. There no pre-emption
law in the editorial business.
No American wants to be told by his
former doctor, lawyer, editor, and so
forth, "You have employed me so long,
you have no right to employ another"
Or, ''You cannot afford it." Or, "You
ought to divide your patronage No
American wants such hOmily hints on
his own economies and finances. Ger
tainly not. He best knows, himself,
whether he can afford to carry three
papers and advertisements therein, or
two, or one. This is wholly his own
business.
Local journalism should be extensive
enough to represent oradmit every con-
siderable, every respectable kind of
view within its radius. This is fair to
all, and is better for all, and the
American principle.
No community needs to be told how
many lawyers, doctors, priests, etc.,
it can or ought to patronize, or how
many it can carry. That is the COM
munity's business to find out, and the
lawyers doctors and so forth, to take
his chances upon. OF course he under
stands the rule always obtains at the
last: '"The survival of the fittest."
a stranger, on his way to locate and
pursue right honorable calling i'm our
midst, is met at our city gates, we will
suppose, with the CHEEKY good well
come: 1--WE are full to oyerflowing
of your kind. No room here for you.
If you enter and make trial of it some
of us must starve!'
How does this graceless informant
know? Has he taken tit and measure
of the great public mind, and purse,
and heart?
Suppose the general public sentiment
received every new merchant, capital
ist doctor, lawyer, mechanic, ETC., in
the same way, how long, then, ere this
beautiful city would be stagnant as a
cesspool of waters, compared with
what is?
Daniel Webster once said when ad-
vised not to enter profession because
the highways to eminence were al
ready so crowded: "There is always
room at the top" So there is ''room"
i'm the American purse and heart for
him worthy, or the more worthy and
deserving of support
There is something more in good
local newspaper than advertisements
and local tid-bits of news. The coun-
try people more especially love to see
some space taken up now and then
with articles, editorial and contributed,
on some current interesting topics or
issues of the day. This is unselfish
journalism, or one not bent into wholly
money-making channels. And a lit
erary article even, now and then is, in
our opinion, welcome guest
Sun.
The Sun is a new paper, having been
running only about a month. 1t is
bright, newsy, and we'll. gotten-up
paper and much credit is due to Mr..
Detwiler, its editor. We give the Sun
a hearty welcome, and hope that it