The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-24

| 1t gives to each of us in regard to the striv
ings, the accomplishments. the sufferings,
the aspirations of men of every class ana
creed. everywhere, Is the distinguishing
charcte teristic of morern life. 1t puts US
in touch with every movement and in SYM
pathy with every struggle: 1t sets us
among the spectators who weep over this
tragedy or laugh over that comedy: it ad-
mits us to the deliberations of foreign
council chamber, and permits us to watch
| the experiments in the laboratories OF
science: it introduces us to distant festivi-
ties and far off grefs: it quickens the
brain with the thought of strange actlvi-
| ties and strengthens the heart with sug-
| gestions of passion and emotion of which
We would not otherwise dream.
Comment on passing affairs is always
| the privilege and often the duty of a
newspaper, and the standpoint of the En-
| quirer in the discussion of men, events
| and policies will be the good of the peo-
| pie That will be its criterion for meas
| urcment, Its touchstone of quality. 1t has
| no quarrel with parties, for they are nee
essary in a republic and it has no hostil-
| ity to partisan papers. for, If conducted
with courage and integrity they may do
| good service within their own sphere. not
| only i'm challenging the errors of the party
! they oppose but in checking the evil ten
dcncics of the party to which their loyalty
| is due. But the best of partisan papers
are often open TO temptation to be unfair.
| and, not seldom, are compelled to advo-
cate what Is wrong, since no party can be
| always in the right: and because the En-
| Quirer wishes to be free, as far as possible
from the bias of obligation, in the forma-
ton of its judgments, 1t has chosen to be
independent.
Yet nobody should confound independ-
ence with neutrality. The Enquirer will
have opinions whenever occasion calls for
them, and it will give them free and
frank expression. but they will be opinions
based on the merits of Il measure, the
qualities of "a man, the nature of a policy,
the character of a crsis-each in itself,
and all with reference to the general
good. These opinions are not likely to be
always right. but we think it safe to
promise that they will be always can
| did and honest the outcome of fair con-
sidcration, and representing the right as
1t is given us to see the right.
The Enquirer would like to be on terms
of intimate and trusted friendship with
it's rcadcrs-close friendship which does
not require absolute agreement IN all
things, but recognizes and makes allow
| ances for occasional differences, and rem
ders the friends content, each with the
other, taken by and large. 1t hopes to
be ever sunny in It's disposition and kindly
in it's judgments, leaning to tolerance,
i generosity and charity. rather than sever
ity. 1t believes in the progress OF events
| and the bettermcnt of man. and. thinking
that pessmism has no place in young
and expanding republic. ii is given over to
optimism. 1t likes uprightness in morais
| and softness in temper, and it puts fai,n
in good humor and courtesy. And above
all it means to keep clean, clear and
pure enough to be a welcome guest in
every happy household.