Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1905-01-13
ANGLES LETTER.
Our Government and the
Press,

Fathers of the Republic, were enlight-
ened men whose action was justified
bv their fitness for independence. In
deed no higher type of character than
theirs has since appeared; no higher
purpose than that which animated them
has since been proclaimed. A fitting
to achievement was the
of the "Constitution," a
working plan for the guidance of the
children to whom possibly priceless
heritage was to be entrusted. The |
whole venture of the Fathers was an
experiment giving scope for such ex
cellence in every pursuit as should VIM
dicate the experiment aud tend to the
superiority of our system. Or course
such worthy results could only come
through an appreciation of those exert
ing any influence of the responsibilities
as well as the privileges of "civil
liberty" There should also be a gen
eral recognition of merit, and earnest
efforts in the right direction. Opt
msm is also very good for the system.
But let us return TO the Fathers. Their
mprehensive plan for our government
required an annual assemblage of many
men, chosen by the people from among
their neighbors, so that such sufficient
number OF the people in each district
could be informed as to the character of
those chosen as to make it safe to risk
EN-" for two years. These many SER
wants of the commonwealth were to
attend to the public housekeeping, and
to keep an eye on each other. And it
was thought that these might be entrus-
ted with the task of choosing the wisest
aud best men in each State these to be
the Nestors in camp. Also chief was
to be elected. This functionary was to
supervise, and TO be oil the outlook, to
take care of the flag. More than this,
certain number of the thoroughly ripe
ones are required to sit up, on bench,
correct the faults of the lesser lights;
aud prevent any peculiar adaptations
of the Constitution.
Now where does the "Press" come in
Apparently reporters have entered
through knot hole; aud being there
they may express to their chiefs food
for reflection. 1t had been we'll if some
preparatory training over and above
what they now receive, was given these
sprigs of the profession. Clearly another
amendment" is necessary. Let us
then, adapt to our needs an idea of the
ancients. And some of their ideas were
quite illuminative. We should select
sufficient number of our promising boys,
give them a thorough knowledge OF
statescraft, and jurisprudence, and
above all things rear them on diet of
pure ethics, so that they might be i'm.
pervious to corruption, and that dread
disease called "cussedness" For it has
been proclaimed that this is prevalent
among them, hence the need Tor means
for perfect health. Improperly prepared,
it were we'll to let the useful agents loose
upon the administration, Congress, and
even in the sacred precincts of the
Supreme Court. If the Press is to be
really useful adjunct of our system, it is
lmperatively necessary that editors
should deal with their privilege grandly.
The method employed by many of these
belongs to the bygoue age they despise.
These methods belong to the age of
Archilochus, 700 b. &. In our day
advice should be given in less offensive
fashion than cruel satire, however rem.
dered. 1t is by no means helpful, only
unwise to make the chief magistrate of
our great republic an object for the con.
tempt OF the unthinking, and the unin.
formed; it is outrageous when this pan
dering to depraved taste is doue b
cause it makes sales of the paper. Wit,
which is distinct from humor, is more
apt to be an instrument of the devil,
than the "agents OF light"
Freedom for the Press may he very
great blessing, and it can be quite the
reverse, despite of our complicated libel
law governing, or rather protecting the
Press. Has the privilege been the means
for mischief making, to a considerable
extent? In mere gossiping pernicious,
whether in ink, or under tie rose Had
free tongues, and too "free pens" aught
to do with sleeping brothers in each
others blood, in a direful civil war?
Could not the right kind of arguments,
by all public speakers and writer's, have
prevented that? Was the gross misrep.