The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-02
Their Relations Competition, Lack Of
Courage and Inconsistency
Opportunities for Service Before the
Persons Engaged in Publication OF
Newspapers and Periodical-Pow-
crful Influences That Seek to Induce
Publishers From the Conservative
Mays OF Strict Morality.
Chester Lantern.)

VI J1OL hIlo" ~ Z Vi III 9oo"
ject was in the minds of those who
selected 1t. Did they mean that L
should tell all that I now about the
press and all I know about morality
separately? Then the task would not
be so difficult. It is probable, how
ever, that / am expected to say some
thing about the press in it's relation to
morality, and I confess that am per-
picked to know how to start or what to
say. However. as a loyal member of
the association I shall endeavor to per-
form the duty assigned me.
But how the subject theme may gang
Let time and chance determine:
Perhaps it may urn out a sang,
Perhaps turn out a m
To be safe, like the negro preacher
YOU have doubtless heard of, / shall
divide my subject into two heads
first, de things what's in de tex,
and, second, de things VIVA amt
and, while / do not as he did. propose
to 'wrestle wild de las part fust, yet
when you cannot see the connection
between my remarks and the subject L
beg you TO consider then that l am dls-
cussing The second head.
1t is hardly necessary to deflne mat
is rneant by the press. 1t is sufhc1ent
for the present purpose that it includes
the publication of newspapers n
other periodicals, together with per-
sons engaged in such work.
Morality as viewed from our present
viewpoint Is the practice of virtue as
required ~ the moral law,
conIprehended in the Ten Command
ments. At least hat is the view that
1 am taking of it.
The pious old cobbler said that his
business was TO serve the Lord, but
he cobbled for a living. The journal
ist is more highly favored. He gets
his living for serving the Lord. If he
does not render the service he is guilty
of breach of trust. Having selected
this business, we are presented with al
most infinite opportunity for doing
good and we are charged with CORE
spending responsibility which we an
not evade.
Without waiting to point out the
path of duty, which is ever plain, or
the fields of usefulness, which are all
ways in sight, let US mark some of
the points where we may be tempted
to go astray.
To the newspaper man who holds
rigidly to a high standard of morality
IN the conduct of his business material
reward is small enough to try his faith.
while few and small are the INSTALL
ments Of appreciation that come to
cheer him on his way. The first and
only real triumph accorded him by the
public which he serves comes on a day
when he heads a procession in which
he takes no pride and feels no interest.
Even those who regard him with affec-
ton and in a measure appreciate
his worth reserve their words Of ap-
prevail until they can no longer cheer
and save all their flowers to decorate
his grave. His compensation, though
Infinitely superior to hat of the time
server. is in the invisible future.
The car therefore. who does not
regard the moral law as supreme ever
in practical matters, who is impatient
that the dividends declared by an ap-
proving conscience are not available in
dealing with the payroll. in maintain
ing pleasant relations with the grocer
n in securing such rating by Dun AMI
Rradstreet as will entitle him to get
his bills of lading at the postoffice in
stead of the bank, it may not be sur
prising If one thus constituted is temp
ted by rewards that appear more sub
stantial, with settlement that is more
prompt and adopt the maxim, Bust
ness is business which taken literal
ly, is a truism without meaning, but in
the sense usually intended it has II
parallel in an expression | once heard
from a lady speaking about a member
of her family. "Tommie never allows
MS religion to interfere with his buSi-
ness There may be Tommies con-
nected with the press who are friend
~ with morality as long as it imposes
no restrictions upon their business, but
with the aid of the great d~eceiver per-
suade themselves tina morality de-
mands M sacrifice. Their advertising
columns are at the service of those who
will pay for the space. though it be
used in the interest of a business that
IS demoralizing or positively vicious.
Their news and editorial columns may
likewise be. in a measure. at the COM
mand OF those who can contribute
valuable influence. They are in bust
ness and the answer to the question,
viii it Day?' decides their course.
What readers demand may come to
some "as If a man had inquired at the
oracle of Sod The OF the
reading public must be granted, how
ever it may affect society's attitude to-
ward the moral law. This is business,
argues the thrifty publisher. and his
sources of revenue must not be taxed
with an assessment for the promotion
of morality.
The present state OF civilization de-
mands that the moral law be revised.
The great Lawgiver, forsooth. did not
know when he laid down laws for all
ages that his creatures would make
such progress as to ~civilize his stat
utes off the face of the earth. Now
We sometimes near of what seems to
be a demand that the laws of eternal
wisdom. instead of governing fallen
/. humanity. NAV be repealed. altered.
amended or ignored to conform to the
practices and propensities of disobe-
dent subjects.
The rivalry of competitors is an in
fuence~ powerful enough to seduce
some publishers from the conservative
ways of strict morality. If I regulate
my business in conformity with the
moral law I shall be outstripped by the
more progressive. if less conscientious,
eompetiter. No remedy has ever been
provided for the law breaker taking
advantage of h law-abiding. and a
legitimate remedy cannot be found in
a counter violation of law. The fear
of man often brings a snare which