The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-07-14

on a log, a mere puppet IN the hands OF
designing demagogues who pet him and
praise him with lip but despise him with
the heart. But l hope | VIII not be mis-
understood along here. l believe in par
Tres. They are essential and necessary in
the economy OF a free government. | do
not believe in that so-called "independ-
ence" that betrays the party and while
preaching loyalty on the one hand, prac-
tees treachery on the other. | believe
furthermore that the best time and place
to be tree ana ~Outspoken Is IN the midst
OF a heated campaign and within party
lines. The newspaper organ SO-called
that owns It's soul and stands Tor the
truth, albeit IN the tace OF opposition and
abuse, is the highest type OF the editor
who Is really free. The New York TIL
bune in its palmiest days was an intense
ly partisan newspaper, but Horace Cree
ley was "a free man.
In the religious realm the matter | am
discussing comes out more clearly. The
religious organ ought to be the freest
J from the bondage to tradition, or custom,
or policy, that binders or obscures the
progress of truth. Instead of condoning
or excusing a mistake in the policy of It's
IL 10 ohCi1d lie 15I Oppol-
tunity to correct error and lead to truth.
1t is despicable in a religious journal to
be so bound up by its bigotry and intol-
erance as to be blind to all the errors
and mistakes Of its own denomination.
1t Is human to err, and the eyes Of the
religious editor ought to be WIDE open to
every ray OF light that falls from heaven.
To be more eXplclt every editor OF
livery paper of whatever creed, or Of
none, ought to be a truth-seeker, and as
far as may be, a truth revealer. He must
be willing to sacrifice preconceived opin-
ions, prejudices, pride and prosperity to
the truth. And he who walks IN the
light of truth Is free indeed. Our sphere
may be small and our influence limited
and circumscribed, but our aim may be
as high and our hearts as true as though
We were directing a daily edition of a me-
tropolitan journal, and a free conscience
behind a holy purpose in any place wheth-
er large or small are sure to bring forth
| blessed fruit.
The second thing I want to impress is
fairness. A newspaper once brought d
charge against a man that was wholly
untrue. The editor was intensely pre-
JUDGED against this man, and probably
published a report that came to his ears.
Ills attention, however, was called to the
fact that he had done the gentleman an
injustice and he was courteously asked to
make the proper correction. He failed
to do So for the simple reason that he
preferred to leave his enemy in a bad
light before his readers though he was
perfectly sure the report he published
was false. This thing was done by a
man who yields a wide influence.
1t is harder to be fair and just than
may be supposed at first. 1t takes a
good deal of manhood to resist the temp
tation to use a widely circulated paper to
compass what may appear a worthy end
by taking a short cut on somebody, espe-
tally if he is not IN a position to defend
himself In the same way. We have heard
OF papers making an assault and then re-
fusing their columns to the assaulted to
| defend himself. This Is not tar and
sooner or later is bound to react on tho
man who takes advantage OF his superior
position to hurt another. Some papers
think it no harm to abuse the Mormons
or the railroads. Nobody ought ever to
be unfairly treated by a North Carolina
newspaper. Not a Mormon, even, or a
liquor man. Rebuke wrong-doing every
where and in anybody, but be fair about
ii, brethren, and If you are mlsled, own
up like a man and apologize. AS a judge
I ICIbS III HooiNo VI JuoblSt Ia "i S'Sh
hand, and administers to each and all the
simple justice he deserves, so a newspaper
without fear or favor, without malice. or
prejudice, or partially, ought to deal
justly and fairly and honestly with ali
those whose conduct comes within the
domain OF its criticism. Sometimes we
venture an opinion or announce a policy
hat subsequent events show IS wrong.
1t Is not only unfair, it is dishonest to at
tempt to bolster up the position we have
taken IN order to appear consistent. 1t
is a great deal better to be fair and
square and honest than it IS 20 DO con-
%~lstent, when consistency costs us fairness
md honesty. And another thing: Be fair
with the brethren. Do not assume to
hnow it all. Wisdom will not die with
my one of US nor with all of us put to-
gether. If your neighbor happens to be
Il the right and you in the wrong, when
you have found it out, for heavens sake
10 not hIrl at his head such e~pithets as
ignorant" and narrow but come out
ike a man and confess that you are on
he wrong road and thank him for set
ing you right.
But further yet: Even if the man Il
wrong, according to your honest conyic
tOn, do not say he Is brIbed, and do not
even intimate that he has been 'lnflu-
enced' unduly. Treat the man fairly. 1t
Is possible that he is honest as yourself,
though wrong. Many a man has been
both wrong and honest. If our being
wrong were the sign of our rascality,
many of US who are here listening to the
song of the sea ought to be working the
Dads, wearing q ball and chain. | think
we newspaper men ought to bring into
cur lives a little more of the charity we sc
,ftpp 11roa mo, others
1t will pay us in dollars and cents 20 be
fair. Any paper that is accounted honest
md just will count for mOre-tenfOld
nore-in the community than the one
which is notrious for taking unfair ad
vantage by %garbllng or suppressing OF
,oncealing the truth. For, after all, we
re really opponents of the truth in SC
ar as it Is given US to see the ruth. i
We would fulfill our high mission. What
$ truth? asked PLATE. He asked, but
I I'D not care for an answer. We should
10Th ask 1t and seek for an answer. Fair
1 nncS ND i,,rinpr, n-n III -@lp 4