The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-02-01


it would be decidedly inhuman, and
would produce first-class revolution
with the editorial sanctum as a storm
center. -as
ETHICAL STANDING.
These classes and representatives of
vocations to which reference has been
made enjoy special privileges accord
Ing to the ethical standards of their
professions by which, for the good of
the common race and their own pro-
lection, they axe justified in uttering
by word or act of omission Or commits
sion, a venial lie to insure the final
realization Of lasting and essential
truth. But ethical standards do not
exist for the guidance and enjoyment
of one or dozen classes to the exclu-
sion of all others. To use a current
slang expression, There are other old
tin cans in the alley and occasionally
they will be heard If only as they
whistle through the air at the end OF
a dogs tail. In the noise produced by
these terrestrial bodies may be heard
the occasional voice, musical as the
songs Of birds, yelling mp from the
harp-strung chords of the editorial
larynx
An editor may be pacified Temporal
lily by comp. to church social IL al
lowed seat at the head of the table,
or, in the enjoyment of an annual rail-
road pass he may relinquish for day
his mad chase after the elusive dollar,
which, failing to roll fast enough to
keep out OF his way, scars off into the
ETHEREAL somewhere on the wings of
the silver-tipped eagle which is stamp
ed upon its neither surface.
NCORRUPTIBLE.
But If you will show me an editor
who can Je, bribed or cajoied into a
REIMBURSEMENT of his ethical stand
ards of truth and untruthfulness and
the privileges which come to him
thereby, | will prove to you that he
will commit murder with his pen,
drown his best friend in the ink keg,
and seal his own doom in the paste
pot or stab himself with the scissors.
He simply couldn't help it; for he
would be shorn of the only power
which gives him equal chances with
the world in his contest for that meas
ure of consideration and influence
which are his by right If he will de-
serve them.
DIDN'T DRINK A DROP.
II these are not intensely serious
thoughts they are at least sober ones,
as those can testify who have been my
almost constant companions since l
came to town; and sometimes during
my limited experience in newspaper
work thoughts similar to those which
have here sought to express in
words have come to me in moments OF
meditation as glimmerings OF q truth
not yet clearly understood.
There may have been q time In the
past when the newspaper was simply
the purveyor of the record OF events
and the comings and goings of the peo-
pie; but we know that in our time 1t
has assumed a far more representative
capacity, publishing not only current
history but the opinions OF men, par
ties and nations, on matters as num-
erous as the thoughts of men-on prin-
ciples as profound as the concurrent
Judgment of organized mind-on prac-
tees as ridiculous as the follieS OF
men-on policies as far-reaching as the
commerce and ambitions of nations.
THE EDITOR.
And in that representative capacity
where printed words are beacon lights
what more than the servant of his
readers; somewhat more than the
chronicler of events; for with his fin
ger on the pulse of the people and his
eye on the future, he shall either guide
the formation of the composite opin-
ion of his community or fail ignomin-
iously in duty. If he succeed his sue
cess must come through avenues SINH
lar to those through which other peo-
pie pursue the purposes OF their lives.
IL he succeed he must have recourse TO
all the arts by which people in other
vocations carve their way up to posi-
lions of distinction and of leadership;
for by virtue of his position he Will be
a leader or dog. If he succeed he
must be the accurate Judge OF what Is
matter for the public eye to look upon,
what is matter for the public mind to
feed upon, and he must be the arbiter
of the time and manner in which
knowledge of principles and events
evolved in conversations of people and
movements of parties shall be given
to the world.
In his actions along this line he will
do well TO keep in mind that truth
prematurely told is more dangerous
and perhaps more disastrous than ST.
lent lie, OF half-truth served in fault
less style for hungry, prylng minds to
feed upon.
DEMONSTRATED LIARS.
Editors are denominated liars when,
speaking of the virtues Of man, they
are silent about his vices. They are
called liars when they publish incon-
sequential commonplaces rather than
betray condolences which have been re-
posed In them. They are classed as
liars for advocating the predominating
virtues of principle and passing over
in silence its inferior weaknesses.
Again, they are denominated liars
for deferring accusations OF crime, or
imputing IL to other sources, that JUS