Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-04-28
Much Depends On Point Of View


takes us to task in friendly way for
the personalities that, at times, have
appeared in the standard. He SAYS
that he sometimes hands the paper to
friends who are anxious to gather i'll
formation relating to our new State,
and that anything which sayors of
personal abuse in the paper, when
judged as the spokesman of commu-
nifty, detracts from the influence its
utterances would otherwise carry.
That there is much truth in the
criticism, we candidly admit, bu.
there Is much to be said in vindication
OF the course the STANDARD has pur.
sued in commenting upon the acts of
one State otficial-acts of perfidy, du-
plicity and phenomenal meanness-
which require the use of vigorous
English, if they are made the subject
OF comment at all. BE it understood,
however, at the outset, the STANDARD
has no higher ambition than to be the
faithful mouthpiece of the commune
ty in which it is published. When
ever it exceeds in degree the prevailing
temper of the people, it is willing and
DESTROYS of being called down. 1t is, of
course, to be regretted that language
which reflects the sentiment of the
people under given course OF circum-
stances, fails to receive the plaudits of
those who have no knowledge of the
provocation which may call for the
use of invective. The duty we recog-
nize as OF primary Importance, is to
stand by the interests of the commun-
ity in which our field of duty lies, and
viewed from that position, we do not
see as we have anything to regret or
any expression to modify, had we the
same line of duty to go over again.
That the views expressed have been
unqualifiedly endorsed by the people
OF Thurston county, we have the best
OF means of knowing, and that it has
"made the paper sell" a result the
elder Bennett used to ascribe to his, at
times, oil-of-vitriol policy, is equally
true. In fact, we have found, during
q somewhat protracted experience as
publisher of local newspaper, that
the people look to the STANDARD to
champion their interests on all public
matters, and very seldom find fault
with the methods it adopts to promote
the general welfare.
To err is human, and no attempt
has ever been made to show that its
conduct has not been subject at all
times to the frailties of finite judy
ment. Nor have we put forth any
special claim to credit for constant and
persistent endeavor, extending over
many years of service. Consistency is
claimed, at least, in persistent labor,
and if our patrons will but glance over
the files of the paper they will find that
a jealous regard has always been man
ifested for the welfare of city, county
and State.
While it is matter of regret that
the STANDARD, under this view of duty,
cannot be just what some of its friends
wonld desire, we rejoice in the fact
that instances of extreme turpitude in
public life are so rare that occasion
seldom exists for use of the lampoon
as a justifiable weapon of defense.
1t should be apparent to all that the
sphere of the weekly paper contracts
as the country fills up and it is brought
into close competition with the large
city dailies. Although the number of
patrons may remain the same, or even
increase, they are comprised in much
closer limits than during the days of
the stage-coach and weekly mail ser.
vice. Fortunate is the publisher who
can adapt his task to the change, and
make his paper of sufficient local in.
terest to merit and command support.
As champion of the people, the news.
paper cannot 60 far wrong when it
faithfully reflects popular sentiment,
even though it may be moved to ex-
pressions of righteous indignation in
vigorous English over grievous
wrong.
There is found in every community
a sentiment represented by few, who
prefer to "grin and bear" almost any
inhiction OF palpable wrongs, and crook
the knee that thrift may follow fawn-
ing, in the vague hope that persistent
servility may soften the heart of the
aggressor, but nobody who has a spark
of manhood has the least respect for
these Uriah Keeps.
1T seems that the chivalrous Spani-
ards are not above offering an insult to
a talented and loveable American
woman, to show their ill-feelinp