Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1899-06-01
The Value of the Local Paper.

be made great help in the cultiva-
ton Of public sentiment, as we'll as
a great intellectual stimulus in the
community. To assist in building
up powerful paper is an excellent
personal exercise. and one of the best
possible methods of doing good. If
the local paper is not credit to the
community the responsibility is
usually with the community. Yet,
in many cases, the only help the ed
itor receives is criticism, and that of
the most censorious kind. g..
Editors sometimes fail to appre-
ciate the dignity and importance of
their work, but editors who try to
render service to their community,
by making good paper, are deserv-
ing of hearty sympathy and co-opera-
ton. Just as people aim to build up
their churches and schools, so should
they unite to make their paper a
credit and a power. This can be
done, not by criticism but by appre-
ciative cooperation. Local pride
should be sufficient incentive if
there were no other. Every person
in a village ought to feel some re-
sponsibility, because the paper is an
index to the place. Elevate the
standard, and to this end give the
paper your full support by your sub
scription, advertising, and by your
contributions to it's columns.
If all intelligent people would keep
their paper in mind in their observa-
tons, readings and meditations, the
resources of the community would be
greatly augmented. Items of local
interest come under your notice.
These are just what your paper lacks,
and of this lack you complain. Here
is the opportunity to make your con-
tribution. If you are a professional
man, Or a business man, Or a farmer,
or day laborer, you will, if you are
keen of observation, have some ex-
perience that would have value for
others. The same is true of women.
Now why not treasure up and furnish
to your paper all such accretions of
knowledge2
The local paper ought to be some
thing more than a mere channel of
little personal gossip. It should car
ry to the homes of the people some
fresh, we'll written, thought inspiring
articles. Its columns should be open
to thoughtful people who, in a broad
minded, liberal way, should; aim to
contribute their knowledge or opin-
ions upon matters of local and gener-
al interest. While all matters pure
ly partisan and sectarian should be
excluded, different sides of important
issues should be admitted, thus fur
nishing channel for the expression
of intelligent public opinion. The
minister, the lawyer, doctor, school
teacher, and every man and woman,
in the measure of their ability and
opportunity, owe it to their communi-
ty to aid in the upbuilding of every
educational interest, and with such
cooperation the little paper can be
made a vital force.
Do not fear that the editor will reap
too much advantage. He ought to
be we'll sustained. He ought to get
a just return for his work, much bet
ter than editors usually get. He will
help you in proportion as you help
him, and more than. you help him.
10 you, as we'll as to him, a strong
local paper will be a matter of pride.
Such a paper will aid very materially
to give standing to your community
and efficiency to your institutions.
When you read a good helpful
book write your opinion of it for the
paper and for the help of your neigh
bors. If you hear a good lecture or
sermon write an abstract of it. If
you see or hear anything of general
interest send it to your paper. If
you go away from home give your
home paper the benefit of your OBJ
servations. In this way you will
have live paper and a live commu-
nifty, and will greatly enrich and de-
velop your own mind.
Any intelligent editor will welcome
such forms of co-operation-at least
such has been the experience of
many.-Quarterly Book Review.
LETTER FROM THE FAR WEST.