New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-09-14
THE MAKERS OF THE MARKET.

The murderous attack upon President McKin-
ley has been followed by a widespread recogni-
ton of the partial responsibility for this crime
of the sensational newspapers, weekly as well
as daily, which In abusive editorials and scan
dalous cartoons have represented the President
as tyrant. tool OF thieves. an oppressor of
the common people, q traitor TO republican in
stitutionS and despised and ridiculous figure
Some of the editors and artists themselves seem
to have a conviction Of sin, for they who were
short time ago saying that Mr.. Mckinley was
the most despised and hated creature in the
hemisphere, picturing him trampling on hui
man rights AMI numbering fellow creatures,
calmly discussing the effect of political assas-
sination on history. and telling anarchists they
should not waste time on kings when closer at
hand were trust magnates whose tool the Pres
| ident was, now vie with one another in produc-
| ing symbolic pictures of IA stricken and sym
pathetic nation, and in declaring that Mr. Nc
| Kinley was great and noble man, earnestly
devoted 10 the interests Of the nation But
has an equal sense Of responsibility and pur-
pose of amendment entered the hearts of clti-
zeps who hold themselves far superior to SEN
sational or bitterly partisan Journalism. who
speak with Reproduction OF the abuses of the
press. but who lend themselves and their names
w SlNt sum IutsliSe- prosperity anu power Tor
evil 10 journalistic instruments of demoraliza-
ton as those publications have enjoyed?
a market for false, scandalous and incendiary
matter is. of course. no excuse for ifs produc-
ton, bat likewise the production OF 1t is no ex-
cuse for its consumption. The people who
have denounced newspapers for their reckless
ness and demagogism, while themselves read
ing them-whether eagerly because they really
liked them, or, though they disliked them, be-
cause they had not the strength of mind TO re-
sist the temptation OF new trhe set forth in
staring headlines as something possibly impor-
fanfare not In position to cast stones at the
purveyors TO their wants. Rather should they
resolve to think on their own duty and refrain
henceforth from encouraging others to do evil
Still more carefully should the lenders of the
public the eminent writer's, clergymen and
teachers, consider their lhare in wjneinc the
poisoned arrows Of incendiary thought into the
minds Of the ignorant but well meaning who
saw their productions published with their con-
sent side by side with Indictments to class
hatred and treason. Naturally those whose
minds could be affected by such appeals thought
they must be sound when their medium was
treated as respectable public educator by emil
nent bishops, cardinals and college presidents.
ANY one OF these men would have recoiIed In
| horror at the suggestion that he should help the
keeper OF some criminal resort to amuse his
guests by giving moral discourses 20 the people
IN his parlors while they were Heeced and
ruined Yet highly respectable clergymen law
yers. physicians and teachers have consented
TO MD IN the circulation Of intellectual poison.
Whether il was the appeal 10 vanity made BY
the thought OF their names pictures and opin-
ions being spread before millions OF readers or
mere carelessness, or some strange delusion that