Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-05
Mr. CLEVELAND ON aMuCk RAKERs.
IoonlInnaa Lrom .seond ~. /

portunity they furnish for the cultiva- !
tion of our alertness of Judgment in
attempting 90 determine the truth and
falsity of their contents.
For the salye OF gaining quick infor-
nation of current happenings, we
sometimes wade through much that is
unproiitably sensational. much that IS
inexcusably false, much chat s grossly
exaggerated and much that is silly aud
frivolous. ! am Inclined TO tho belief
that some newspaper readers like this
sort of wading; and all of us are will
ing to make due allowance for the
haste and impossibiliies of discrimina-
tion which, even among the better
class of newspapers, result from the
scramble and struggle for everything
which has the complexion of fresh
news. This may he said without
/ blinking the fact that there are many
newspapers that are conducted with
out the least care for truth or the least
anxiety to furnish profitable OF decent
/ information.
However. good or however bad they
may be, l suppose we must abide the
I daily newspapers as they are. Per-
haps, under the laws of their environ
ment, the most of them do the best
/ they can.
In any event, however, we who
| cannot we'll escape the fitfulness and
fervidness of the daily newspapers
deserve the promise that beyond this
there awaits us the restlulness and
comfort of conservative, deliberate and
wholesomely suggestive periodicalism
And if such % mental cooling place
can be anticipated, 10 will greatly
encourage us 90 bear with becoming
resignation the heat and burden of
newspaperdom.
10 hardly need be said that, II those
who are willing 20 read for iniorma-
tion as we'll as for the news are 10
realize such compensation, 10 is abso-
lutely necessary that no stress of
weather, no sordid temptation, no in
ordinate competition and no compro.
mise with scnsationalism should
swerve our periodicals from the way
of sober, sedate sanity and useful
service.
, III supplementary to the daily news
there is presented 90 us as often az
once "a week OF once a month com
prehensive view of passing events
{ with tho deliberate judicial and help
I ful suggestions of those who by studl
, and experience are fitted 10 interpre
current conditions, no thoughtful
open-minded citizen who reads nee,
lack either valuable information o.
/ stimulating instruction.
, beg to conclude with one othe
thought, touching the relation of on
j. periodicals TO certain tendencies nov
distinctly apparent In both our privat
4 and public life. We have fallen upoI
G a time of such unrest and awakoninl
e that disposition TO tear down anl
e uproot seems to prevail on every side
. This has grown 90 be maniiestatio
Q Of intense resentment on the pnrl "a
b our people, aroused boy a situation
= challenging their love of our gool
e name, and their devotion to the pur
r. poses Of our free institution.
8 believe there is danger tina
r stands opposite this passionate temper
n that should be carefully watched
] refer to our liability % forget in th
heat of our righteous indignation, tina
whatever may be pulled down OF M
rooted, something better must be pu
in its place. We cannot act safely {
l. hope for reformatory result unless "
= look beyond the confusing rubbis
= and unsightly waste Of demolishin
u activity.
'e The ultimate consequences Of demo
~ ishing, and precisely what should
\ built and planted when the stage
y. pulling down and uprooting has be-
oGr passed, should be clearly 10 the mine
- of those who assume to lead in u
oi crusade against existing evils. Ih
n is not a time for indefinite statemen
~ or inconsiderate suggestions.
~ In any view Of the situation whiC
ia confronts us there should be in son
pm quarter and in constant operation,
o' powerful constructive force % balan
the impetuosity and check the reel
lessness which are apt 90 grow out
~. the exciting havoc OF overturning.
4 This constructive force should
III found, If nowhere else, IN the stead
y ness, patriotism and outspoken coura
on of our periodicals. They can have
to higher mission; nor can they serve
~ a more effective way the cause of eli,
III lization and humanity's 5 advancement
~ as they are indissoluhly related
-si the political and social welfare of G
American people.