Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-03-13

den concluded MS series Ol eACeiiSh'
Sunday evening lectures with discus
sion of the merits of the newspaper as
a moral organ. After outlining the
history of the institution and giving a
passing glance at general periodicals
he proceeded to speak in part, thus
But when we speak of the newspaper
we are thinking, chiefly, of the daily
press il the cities. and of the weekly
press in the smaller places-the jour-
nails devoted to general and local news
and to politics. These are the news
papers proper and it is with these that
we are now chiefly concerned.
We must own our debt to the news
paper press for great enlargement oil
our knowledge. 1t brings to us daily
much truth about the community, the
nation, the world in which we live, that
we need to know. The average Ameri-
can of today knows far more about the
world he lives in than the greatest
scholar and the most enterprising trav-
eler knew 100 years ago.
1t gives us, too, in fairly ineligible
form, many of the results of scientific
discovery; and it brings to us in re-
ports, communications, speeches, lee
lures, sermons essays, poems, great
deal of stimulating and valuable
thought. In short, we may say that
m
purpose of an educator; that the ideal
newspaper would be most
VALUABLE EDUCATOR;
that even the average newspaper, judi
ciously read, with good deal of judi
cious skipping, may greatly help in the
great work of life-which seems farther
from completion at the end of each
succeeding year-that of getting an ed
ucation.
The newspaper, in large way, pro-
notes philanthropy. 1t brings to our
notice the needs and sufferings of our
fellowmen and stimulates us to relieve
them. 1t often takes the initiative in
such labors of charity. The newspaper
is apt to take the philantropic view
of social questions.
The newspaper aids effectively the
various organizations which are work
ing for social welfare. The churches
are indebted to the newspapers for a
| gre eat deal of valuable cooperation. In
publishing the news Of the churches, in
enlisting the interest of the community
| in their work, and in publishing re-
ports of their pulpit teachings, the
newspapers Of today are assisting the
churches very effectively.
| The newspaper is to be commended
for keeping the community informed
with respect to such matters as vitality
concern the community. A large part
of the life of society ought to be lived
in open daylight. That part of our
conduct which Immediately concerns
our neighbors, they have a right to
attend evil conduct is a constant check
to evil conduct.
In the exposure of great public
wrongs also, the press of the country
has done some splendid service.
And now, if | have recognized the
value of the press as social institu-
tion, let me briefly indicate some of the
particulars in which, as it seems to me,
it's service is weakened If not vitiated.
The one conspicuous fault of Ameri-
can journalism is it's abuse of the
| function of publicity, of which / have
just been speaking. 1t does we'll to
drag some offenses into the light OF
day; it does i'll to spend so much OF
it's enterprise in unearthing secrets
with which the public has no business
and pouring the light of publicity into
the shrines which should be sacred from
the public gaze. OF course, there arc
exceptions, but it is pretty general
rule for even most respectable news
papers to publish many things which
cause pain and annoyance to the pub
TIC, anu WHICH DeHeHL uODOuS III lhe
remotest way-simply to crafty that
morbid appetite for gossip, which is one
of the meanest vices of human nature.
The newspaper offends, too, in the
dissemination of the vile details OF
scandal and vice and crime. The peo-
pie of every community are entitled to
know of the actual disorders and
crimes occurring among them. 1t is
the duty of the newspaper to bring
these to light. But crime may be
reported without dilating upon it and
painting it out in all its disgusting and
horrible details. The whole tendency
of such treatment is to brutalize and
degrade those who read.
Even the most shameless yellowjoui
nal draws the line somewhere. Use
discretion, as he does-only use il
more freely and conscientiously