The herald., 1897-11-21

The story Of the evolution of news
paper Is, In epitomized form, the story Of
human thought in the community, to the
development Of which along mental,
moral and material lines, it has been ac-
cessory.
But mental and moral development are
acquired on the material plane, and, pri-
marily, the purpose of a newspaper is
to pin on the tip of the editorial orre-
portorial pencil each material develop
ment which marks step forward by the
Individual and the community.
While thus rejecting the various vicis-
situdes attending the moral. intellectual
and financial advancement Of a commu-
nifty. the daily newspaper has to face
difficulties peculiar to itself, and to sur
mount oppositions which may curtail its
power for good. as we'll as threaten its
financial standing and prosperity.
The average citizen, while leisurely
perusing his daily paper at the break
fast table, has little comprehension of
the amount of thought bestowed upon
it. and of which it Is the externalized cx-
preston. Time, while solving old diff
culties, constantly adds new ones, and
renders more complex that marvel of
literary and mechanical skill known as
the daily newspaper, which, in the ag-
gregate. wields more power than fully
equipped army in the field, and yet
breaches a sermon on peace three hun
dred and sixty-flve days of the year.
To say that The Herald has had huc-
tuating and varied career is but to record
ths.f ia ~ in d1x,e1nnn1anf Of tho
present city from being an oldfashoncd
and sleepy Mexicanzed pueblo to its
present status as the Pride of the Pa
cific," marvellous and startling changes
have been made. From it's inception un-
I'll the present time The Herald has not
been exempt from the difficulties Incl
dent to the conduct of any other great
journal in the country. Since October 2,
1878. when the initial number was
printed. and when Los Angeles boasted
of having a population of a little less
than 5000 souls, it has met with obstat1s
apd disappointments; but despite these
drawbacks 1t has been made to perform
the true function of newspaper, as its
proprietors understood ito give the
news impartially and without attempt
ing to distort the facts by partial color
ing.
And that this fundamental and guild
ing principle is correct The Herald of to-
day strongly emphasizes. Not that the
truest merit Is always certified to by
largest measures of success, as the world
counts it--in dollars and cents. There
are journals that are popular and pow
erful-powerful because of their popu-
larity-that appeal forcibly to their eli
entele, as did Samson of old to the null
titude, in somewhat demoralizing man
ner. In either case the weapon used has
been the same and the people have been
the sufferers.
The steadily increasing appreciation
OF the thoughtful public while perhaps
not SO profitable financially as the un-
thinking patronage of the multitude, or
the blind adherence Of the bigot and the
partisan, is nevertheless the following
most to be desired. and this attainment
The Herald Is steadily keeping in view.
For nearly a quarter of a century 1t has
fought a good fight and oft. times under
immense difficulties. until now it's posi-
tion In the front rank in this Journal
istic field as progressive, fair and tenn
perate journal may be claimed without
egotism, but with a due amount of hon
est pride.