The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-03

gradual. for persecution was rife. The
papers were taxed out Of existence and
their editors n and Imprisoned De-
Foe and Bunyan are notable examples
OF this persecution. Defoe suffered in
the cause of q free press. while Bum
yam was Imprisoned on of free
dom of speech. Thou shalt not makes
the doing SO delightful. Boston and
Philadelphia had the first newspapers
Of America, and their early history
w1s similar to the first of England.
One of Virginia's governors will prob
ably be longest remembered for having
thanked God there were no printing
presses or free schools in Virginia.
Andrew Hamilton won fame for him.
self by his defense of a New York edi-
tor who had INDUCED in what the au-
thorities called too great freedom of
speech. With the use of the railway
telegraph reports were received
much more readily and from far great
er distances han before. A traveller
stopping at a remote hamlet n en-
gaging into conversation with its in
habitants. would discover that they
could tell him o the English in AZ
RIGA, the Russians in Asia or the Attest
revolution in South America. They
could also tell him about the latest dis
cover concerning Mars, the production
of acetylene gas or the knowledge of
argon, to say nothing of discussions
upon the financial policy of the govern
ment. How was this information OBJ
tanned The Inhabitants evidently had
not Travelled. experimental or investi-
gated to this extent. and having done
none of these things had only one
means by which they could have OBJ
tanned this knowledge. and that was
by reading.
and since the day of travelling cir
aVtlatgro Ithra rsae sS ,ant far alranzal
the reading must have come from the
newspapers. Who al tell how great
their power, or how far-reaching their
influence since the days when Milton
n Swift first used them in defensive
warfare. In all times that have tried
mems souls. they have been powerful
whether in the hands of the
just or of the unjust. The soul-inspir-
ing sentiments of Hamilton, Adams
n Jefferson, I'm support of personal
liberty and the constitution, were first
printed in THE newspapers, afterward
reprinted in the Federalist.
william Lloyd Garrison used them to
sound the cry of an immortal soul in
every mortal body Horace Greeley to
disseminate criticism that became a
menace to the government; while the
New York Sun because of the intense
vigor of its editorials, became synony-
nous with fearless. outspoken convic-
ton. Thus their mission was one of en-
lightenment. The careful perusal of a
good newspaper finally becomes an edu-
cation in itself. for herein are found his
tory, geography, literature and science.
1t seems that as the popularity of the
magazine increases the old-fashioned,
welldoing of the newspaper decreases.
1t no longer publishes the best litera-
ture, its editorial pages cause its man.
ayers less concern thai its advertise
ments, and, in nan cases. its tele-
graphic news is unreliable. This is to
be %deplored; still. a paper can be on lit
tie higher plane than it's public, and if
the public requires sensational accounts
of all things criminal and depraved.
then 1t is a pity that the as
an educator o be demoralized to
meet the demands of the people. Let us
hope that much of our sensational jour-
nalism is the outgrowth of prosperity
and that when a crisis arises demanding
earnest, thoughtful. trustworthy ac-
counts of all happenings, as 1t probably
has arisen in the Cuban question, that
throughout America the press will in its
reports be as judicious, conservative and
reliable as those with which we are ia
miliar."
The essay was literally applauded,
and upon the subsiding of the applause
Miss nj V. urke delivered an essay
on THE Best Capital" She said:
The word character is derived from a
Greek word meaning to engrave, thus
signifying that character becomes so
deeply impressed poi a persons be-
ing as to be a part of himself. 1t is the
sum Of the qualities possessed by an in
dividual which distinguishes him from
his fellow beings. In fact, 1t is that
which constitutes his personality. Char
acter is not formed in a day, but is of
slow growth. 1t is helped or hampered
by outer and inward influences, by in
herited and acquired tendencies and by
environment. But one thing which the
Giver Of all good has placed within the
reach of His humblest creatures is the
opportunity to build for himself a good
character. Truthfulness, honesty and
fidelity to purpose form the groundwork
for that noble structure. And so care
fully can he build upon that founda-
ton that. Notwithstanding obstacles and
difficulties, his true worth will establish
itself and gain for him the respect, con-
fidence and esteem which he deserves.
The first step in the building of char
acter is the correction of faults which
one recognizes in himself and which. il
not overcome, will leave a lasting inn
preston. The task of overcoming these
Is no cas- one, and IL is only by the
most persistent effort that any effect is
produced. A hasty or violent temper
oltcu icduS OHc W NOiflIIlll kEdNt tTfDTs
which result in giving him many hours
of disquiet and remorse. Some, by
w~atchfully guarding their speech and
actions, have been able to rid themselves
of hat fault. and thus have ultimately
changed their character.
The beginning of character is laid
in the home, n whether the tenden-
cies be good or bad. the home influence
will assist their growth or help to de-
stroy them. Character is made up of
small duties faithfully performed. of
self-sacrifices. and of kind acts of love
and duty. Oftentimes one small act
will teach III more of a mans char
acter than many great ones. In all
affairs of life it is not intellect that
tells so much as integrity. not brains
so much as the heart. not genius so
much as self-control. These, when reg
ulated by a good judgment and assisted
by common sense. make the possessor
one of natures noblemen.