Middletown transcript., 1895-05-25
MIDDLEToWN, DEL, MAY 25, 1895.
The date ON tine label on your
paper shows the time to wsich
your subscription Is paid.
THE COUNTRY PAPER AND POLL
TTrS

sit is shame that SO bright a l0ca
paper and one so fairly and intelligent
ly edited as is the TRANSCRIPT, shoul'
devote SO much space and time t,
political matters, should waste SO mucl
energy in the mire of politics, whel
the same intelligent industry and tim
could accomplish so much good if ex
erted in other and more worthy ant
creditable directions"
More than once or twice, possibly
more than score of times, have thu
above sentiments, fatteringly stated
been presented to US during the pas
two months. The compliments in
tended are appreciated, for it does take
time and energy and thought and labor
to present weekly such paper as is
the TRANSCRIPT, not yet however
what we hope to make it, as an ex.
ponent of MiddletoWn and the sur.
rounding country, by the aid Of the
business men and citizens of the COM
munity. We listen to the argument
and wonder if it is we'll founded. What
are the 'smore worthy and creditable di-
rection" in which a country weekly
could seek a field Of usefulness? We
are Of the opinion that when you "put
your finger on them they are not there. "
Every country weekly should be alive
to the local news since that is of first
Importance, but the paper that has not
editorial opinions is like ship without
a rudder, out upon life's sea of pleasure
without harbor or destination in view.
And usually it is Of little account as a
local paper. Certainly Of less aid to
its people than its well-edited co-tem-
porary. But what shall be the subject
Of editorials-non-political /? If some
good friend Of the TRANSCRIPT will
suggest some topics outside of politics
the suggestions will be most welcome,
and if within our reach we promise to
think of them and to write about them,
for no one would relish a change Of
the political diet he has to digest more
than the editor.
But does the editor Of the country
weekly do his duty to the public when
he ignores political questions? Ac-
cording to the formation of our govern
ment, which we believe to be the best
in the world, political parties are
necessary to keep the wheels of this
great country in motion. But it is
absolutely necessary to watch the
course of parties, the men who climb in
to the chief places, and to see that they
are honest and capable. That man or
woman is an idiot or a knave who pro-
fesses to believe that any party is free
from the Vaccinations Of selfish and
evil men. 1t is not always pleasant to
acknowledge the truth, but the truth
reveals good and bad alike in all. And
the bad, being keen and unscrupulous,
are apt to get to the top. The neutral
paper, neutral for the sake of patron
age or because Of the desire to be
popular, which means the same in the
end, is never ready to serve the public
in any reforms which demand the truth
to be told, unpleasant as it is.
The best paper in any community is
one whose editor has conscientious
convictions, and the strength of
character to express them. He needs
to be wise and conservative but firm
and honest. Such man may run up
against prejudices that may hurt his
business, but such short-sighted acts
do not come from the liberal, thinking
element in any community. The edu-
Gated infidel contributes to the support
of the church because churches are
cheaper to the tax payers than are
sheriffs, and jails, and penitentiaries.
For the same reason the Quaker deals
with his Catholic brother, and the
Presbyterian trades with his Metho-
dist neighbor. It pays to sustain and
support honest and welI-meant efforts
though you may not agree with them.
Honest effort should seek truth, and
this should be true politically as well
as in any other phases Of life. What is
truth ? What is right? Certainly it is
not right to uphold the evils in "she
mire Of politics." as does silence in a
measure. Every good citizen should
be desirous Of hearing both sides and
then without prejudice decide upon a
a course that is right as conscience
shown the right.
What wonld the politics Of this coun-
try be without the influence Of the
public press to keep it within bounds?
We verify believe our government
could not stand quarter of century
but for independence and honesty of
the newspapers of the country. And
the country weekly is no small factor
in this matter. The people soon know
whether its opinions are with its party,
right or wrong, and its influence is
measured accordingly. We believe the
best paper is the one with decided con-
victions as to questions Of government
and with character enough to oppose
the wrongs in its own party as firmly
as it does. those of the opposite party. |
The ideal paper would be one that
has an editor for each party, not that |
the paper might control public patron
age, for that is the worst serfdom,
but that honest convictions might be |
given the readers; and that they having
heard both sides Of the question,
might come to conclusions for them
selves.
Thasa thouphts numerically exnress-