The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-07-10
The NEWSPAPER AS TEACHER

Inat, was an interesting addfeSS Iu1I
Archbishop Ireland delivered last night
before the National Educational conven-
ton. 1t was interesting in it's subject,
in it's trea tment Of the subject and in the
coming together of such speaker and
such an audience. The convention is one
Of state educators, absolutely non-seo-
tartan in theory and fact, employees of
government or governments that are
irrevocably opposed to any union Of
church and state. Archbishop Ireland
represents a. church which is in many
parts of the world a state church. and
which generally teaches and practices
that the church should control education, a
church which has never yet given it's cor
dial approval to the American public
school system. Yet the archbishop felt
perfectly at home in addressing his audi
lence, and the latter found great salts
faction in the address.
The archbishop took for his subject
Devotion to the Truth the Chief Viz
tue of the Teacher" Among the teach
ers to whom the prelate gave advice were
included the newspapers. His conception
OF what a newspaper should be Is to be
found in the following excerpt from his
address: -. - p ,,.-~~
If I were to choose where outside the class
room for the general welfare of humanity I
should have devotion to truth prevail, I
should name the newspaper. The newspaper
is to-day pre-eminently the mentor OF the
people, it is read by all; it is believed nearly
by all. Its Influence is paramount; its
responsibility is tremendous. It's province
is to narrate facts-to give the truth, nothing
but the truth, and all the truth-to allow
both parties to a controversy to be heard
never to palliate or distort; never to omit,
when that which is omitted may be Of rele-
vaney in the formation of public opinion
never to publish the doubtful as certain, the
mere gossip as weli-ascertained news; never,
above all else, to put before readers error
and falsehood. Facts given, the editor is
at liberty to argue for them in favor of his
own tepets, and even then let there be sra-
dating through limpid lines the fair love OF
truth, rather than. the wish to extol party
or sect. >+ 49,
There have been and there are many
newspapers which are = bad teach
ers. None Of them measure up to the re-
quirements of their calling, for news
papers are made by men, and they fail
and come short of perfection, just as in
dividual men--even the best-do. But
after all the aspersions that have been
made upon the American press have been
given their due consideration the fact
remains that it Is, as whole, great
power in the community for Improvement.
There is a surprisingly large number Of
able and popular daily papers conducted
along the general lines Of the archbish-
ops ideal. + - b..
Men are given to praising the old "per-
sonal'' newspaper, which was principally
q reflection Of one mans personality, but
st was a narrow and intolerant publ
cation compared with the independent
modern newspaper. The old-time editor
never thought of giving the other side
of a controversy a hearing On his col
umns. He deliberately and conscientious
ttly suppressed matter that did not rein
force priori editorial views. There are
scores of great papers, In this 'coun-
try to-day that do not fear the truth,
that are quite willing to permit the other
side Of a controversy to he heard in their
columns no matter how positive or vig-
orous may be the editorial position. The;
modern editor is quite ready to publish
both sides, to argue one side and let the
public Judge for itself whether the facts
justify the argument.
There are plenty of papers that are
still lop-sided, that still fear the truth,
and during political campaigns most of
our papers become special pleaders to
4such an extent that omissions Of dam
aging facts are winked at. But In this
case there is the excuse that the papers
of the other side will not overlook the
unpleasant matter, and will give 1t an
Importance In consideration that mag
niles it quite as much as omission on
the other side belittles 1t. )
1t is true that the newspapers infiu-
enee is paramount and that its RESPONSE.
biIity is tremendous. But it is not so
much by expressing an opinion that it
primarily gains its power as by present.
ing the truth. It's expressions of opinion
may be important as commentaries on
the facts, but the value Of these opin-
ions and comments is directly proper
tional 1.-THE newspapers reputation for
presenting the truth. The paper that ac-
quires a reputation for giving the news
from day to day as accurately as it is
possible for such daily work to be done
soon acquires the respect Of It's readers
They readily pardon its incidental errors
and it's editorial opinions are received
with great respect because it is self
evident that they emanate from source
that Is not afraid of the truth. When
this sort of a paper speaks ise is more
powerful than the old personal paper
because it unftes, often, the eloquence
of the advocate to the prestige of the
magistrate and the weight of a .conclu-
sion arrived at By an impartial jury.
The Tribune. assSss!,.g failed to get in-
tervIaws with nc Jurors in the Fred
.Aues case. now solearIy remarks that
their explanations come too late ''The
opportunity to explain, " remarks the
Tribune this morning, with pltiIess SCI