The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-10-29

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ECLW s4aRK OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
The Country Newspaper An Institution of
e %sIhe People and by the People.
i. Newspaper directories show a large
increase in the number of country
newspapers the country over. The
new papers are weeklies, semi-week-
lies and dailies. In Minnesota, the
number of country newspapers is rap
idly increasing. In the north woods
OF this State, some of the newspaper
plants arrived on the scene of publica-
ton before a clearing was made and
in advance of the settlers who will
read them.
Some of the brightest and best coun-
try editors in the business are LOCATED
in the pine forests and are working
faithfully and with good effect for the
good of the region. They write bri ght
newspaper literature, and are quoted,
with surprised delight by exchanges
published in the Cities The settlement
grows up around them, and they begin
to fight for schools and churches.
They get them.
The Minnesota newspaper, pub
ished in the country is a bulwark of
the commonwealth, just as, in a gen.
eral way, the country newspapers are
to Inclination. Not only do the coun-
try editors of Minnesota largely con-
troll the politics of the State, but they
set an example Of independence of
thought and fearlessness of comment
that might we'll win the commentator
and emulation of the metropolitan
dailies.
The methods of city journalism
would never do in the country, where
the editor has in mind always the per-
sonality of the friend about whom a
news item is printed. The country
newspaper is a friend of the family,
and speaks almost affectionately of
the affairs of interest to the village or
country in which it is printed. It is
rich in local atmosphere" Or
''color," and it fights for the rights of
it's readers as faithfully as it reflects
their joys and sorrows, their progress
and prosperity.
It discusses with them the questions
of grave, moment, International, ma
tional, State and local. p. It presents in
,inte llaaig gent and brief manner the7great
problems of the day and keeps it's
readers in touch with the pulse of the
throbbing world of affairs. The jour-
nal is published in the interest of the
home town., - and never fOrgets its
mission. What may seem to the city
newspaper man, who is a stranger in
his home city, a trivial personal about
some village character, is a bit Of
news that is of moment to every sub
scriber. The quaint, little illusions
of ''joshy" sort bring out the hearty
laugh of the village readers. These
same readers may be better judges of
classic literature than are many of the
city jewellers. They read-for they
have item to read, and they read I'M
derstandingly. The village newspa-
per reports the sessions of the literary
clubs, and some of the papers read
there would be revelations to more
than one member of a college literary
club. The country paper encourages
the debating society, and fosters local
talent, just as the city newspaper aims
to do. It is the medium through
which the local merchant advises his
customers Of his wares. It is the
medium through which the politician,
if he is wise, would prefer speaking to
the voters. 1t speaks for local self
government and keeps it in order.
Not all the pictured attractions of
:yellow" journalism, not all the
rapidfre news service in the world
can replace the country newspaper,
which holds it's prestige in this day of
rural telephone and rural free deliv-
cry as staunchly as it did in stage
coach day.
The country Newspaper is an institu-
ton of the people and for the people.
Its utterances are simple with the SIM
plicity of dignity. Long may it guide
it's readers.-Duluth News-Tribune.