The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-03
THE PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION.

The question whether the press makes
public opinion has been a good deal de-
bated, but at this time no really broad
intelligence holds to the affirmative OF
that proposition. Public opinion is the
aggregate of the majority Of Individual
thought, that which preponderates by
force of its magnitude Thus it hap
pens that public opinion is sometimes
wrong, because majorities are liable to
err.
But it is no longer accepted that one
man, or two, or a dozen. or any spe-
cific number, make and create public
opinion because they express their
thoughts upon printed paper. But it
is true that while the press does not
make public opinion, does not command
it into life, yet, because it is the chief
medium fer the dissemination of intelli-
gence, and because it is a ready and
convenient intermediary for exchange
OF views among the people, it exercises
d degree of influence in molding public
tate what the public thought shall be;
it does not make it, though in degree
ii molds, and is an agency in fashion
ing it. To the same extent it is de-
terrent and informing influence, pre-
venting public thought very often from
taking misleading paths.
The public press is mainly a reflector
of public opinion As that reflection OPP
crates to modify and mold, so the press
is an agency, and the most powerful, in
moldiug the public thought that it does
not make, create, or dictate, nor ever
can.
in the idea that the press makes public
opinion, then individual thinking would
be the result. not the spring and source
Of public policy. We should go to oul
newspapers for the determination OF
the lines Of governmental policy and
activity, thing that would give US
anarchy and confusion, since the press
IS just as widely divided in opinion as
are individuals. AS means Of gather
eng expressions of the thought Of the
people. of recording these expressions
and communicating them to others; as
an agency of mediation between people
who think; as a vehicle of news; as q
forum Of debate. it is a molding agency
IN degree, but not, therefore a creator.
No one in this day holds that 1t is the
author of public opinion, except a few
arrogant, self-inhated and unconscion-
able journals OF the yellow and sensa-
,tional order. These imagine vaInly thai
they create public opinion, command il
TO grow and bear, and seed and CONS
again TO fruitage. when, in fact, they
are of all intelligences most susceptible
TO environment. to the breezes of pub
lie thought, and most industriously
trim their sails to popular favorine
gales.
In no instance in the history of our
country has this been more emphat-
icaly demonstrated than at this time
when few sensational sheets are hys-
terically seeking to work the public
pulse to fevered heat, and thus sooner
plunge the nation into war. which il
is the highest office Of true statesman
ship TO prevent. a proposition that i.
accepted law among statesmen
Despite these endeavors to create and
make public opinion as these sheet.
would have it manifest itself, the PEG
pie are insensible to these irTitants
patient, calm. and confidently trust ii
the wisdom and prudence of the mer
chosen to administer national affairs
This condition is reflected. in the pres
outside the iurid circles. but the eondi
ton was not created by it. though i
IS conceded that it is useful ant
powerful agency In expressing the pub
lie thought and thus stiffening it.
Some European journals are very con
temptuous in their expressions concern
ing the Monroe doctrine and the ten