The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-10-07
Twelve Pages.
South Carolina Needs Leading News.

South Carolina Needs q Leading News.
paper.
Despite the fact that reference Is sometimes
had In the newspapers to the "leading news
papers of South Carolina" We believe 1t is
true that South Carolina has no leading news
paper, and we also believe that the editorial
conduct of the daily press OF this State would
warrant the belief that no newspaper In
South Carolina asplres 10 be leader Of the
people.
A newspaper that might hope to be leader
OF the people must be fair and courteous to
all the citizens OF the State for whom 1t Is
printed. A great newspaper while holding
fast to principle, truth and honor, regards the
feelings, prejudices aud idiosyncrasies OF
those who differ from II on questions or pub
lie policy.
When newspaper descends from the high
pedestal on which leading newspaper should
stand, and gets down into ruts and throws
mud and slime at any considerably portion
OF the people IL cannot be truly said to be a
leading newspaper.
While It's Influence may be felt in the cir.
cumscribed field In which II labors. and while
1t may have some followers. yet II 1t does not
command the respect and goodwill of the
public 1t is in no sense "leading newspa.
per-" How can 1t lead a people against whom
1t fights, and for whom 1t expresses con.
tempt?
The people want Just paper, and they
have right TO be treated fairly. They have
a right to expect other than the partizan
boosting of one side and despicabIe abuse OF
the other.
Our newspapers are good enough partizans
and they seem TO be satisfied with no higher
ambition, but we believe that no daily news
paper in this State has sought the higher.
grander and more praise-worthy position OF
leader of the people.
And no State In the Union could be In more
need OF leading newspaper than South Car.
olina.
The people of this State are in want OF a
brave paper that will present the issues fair.
ly. They are tolerant with newspapers which
have convictions. They respect the editor
who is honest and outspoken, even If they
disagree with him.
South Carolina needs q leading newspaper
"a newspaper that will treat country people
with respect-a newspaper that is not 80 thor.
oughly filled with selfconceit that IL mas no
respect for his county brethren.
South Carolina has been surfeited with
mud-slipglng and character destroying.
South Carolina is tired Of having all sorts
OF charges made against her trusted officials,
and the people cannot and do not have proper
respect for newspapers that are forever maxi
ing charges. so far as the proof Is concerned.
that are not true. Perhaps hundred charges
= possibly q thousand have been made
against the Reform administration. When
put to the test, has one OF the them been
proved true7 Can an honest public have pro.
found respect and confidence in newspapers
that would assail character and make un-
founded charges? II the public does not have
the highest respect for persons who assume
TO be detectives and who really find often ders,
how shall they respec, newspapers that are
constantly assailing character, and as often
failing 10 bring the proof?