St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-01-10

| pTCuuCLlOH only WAS COllCCIIOhb VI ILL
Peacham Democrat and the Peacham Pa
| triot
I have but one word more to say as {
practical printer. There is one thing II
the physical making OF a newspaper thai
always offends me. The first page should
be either a show-window or cover. A
paper geographically attractive is proba'
bly, more pleasing if its first page be
wholly free from advertisements. That is
the show-window. But there is nothing Of
| fensive in the appearance of first page
| wholly occupied by advertisements. 1t
} then becomes a cover. But show windows
and covers don't mix. The attempted
blending is an unworthy compromise which
serves neither purpose aimed at. Now
may be right or wrong about that, but if
I were running the Peacham Democrat
we'll, I'm not so we will proceed no fur
Their along that line.
SELF-RESPECT OF JOURNALISM.
Second only to character in effective
journalism is self-respect. The sneering.
silly, and inexcusable remark, savoring
of the vulgarity Of theostentatiously "self-
made" man, that II am not journalist;
am newspaper man." has done more to
check the growth of ideals in the eager
minds of thousands of young men than
any like utterance ever made by one will
ing to burn truth upon the altar of cpl
gram. Of all of us in this room who
have given mind, heart, and conscientious
endeavor to public service, there is prob
ably not one whose perspective at some
point in his career has not been blurred
by this stupid differentiation. The con-
trast of terms is, of course, only phrasing
and inconsequential. But the idea con-
veyed, the deliberate insistence upon be-
ing regarded not merely as cynicists, but
as mechanics, if not indeed as day labor
ers, has been fruitful of infinite harm
both within and without profession re-
quiring the greatest skill of intellect, the
finest discrimination between right and
wrong, the most forceful form of express
sion, and the highest order of moral cour-
age. That one of the most potent agencies
in the evolution of this American nation
should be thus debased, even in appear
ance, is surely anything but creditable to
those responsible for it, and who them
selves should guard no more jealousy
their own good name than the honor of
their craft.
If the facts constituted a reason for
this extraordinary self-deprecation, the
condition would be comprehensive But
the reverse is the manifest truth. There
is no press in the world comparable to
that Of America in freedom from in
fuence, political or social, from venality,
from contamination of any kind whatso-
ever. In France newspapers opinions |
are matter of francs; in England, too |
often, of titles; in Germany Austria, and |
Spain, of imperial favor; in Russia, of |
absolute censorship. In America, thanks |
to the maintenance of the sturdy tradi- |
tons established by the Greeleys, Ray
monds, BENEFITS, Medills and Bowleses of |
the past the fundamental integrity of the |
press cannot be impugned. 1t is faultful, |
but it Is free. We have our sadly ex- |
aggerated headline on weekdays and our |
on Sundays; we have our |
truly delightful Buster Brown, but also |
his hundreds of puerle imitators; we have |
amazing productions of no less amazing |
art; we have columns and columns of |
crime, and pages and pages of waste.
Finally, not least, at any rate, in num-
bers, we have our red and white papers
sometimes referred to as yellow journals.
SHOULD HAVE FREE EXPRESSION.
Personally, I should be of the last to
defend or make apology for the latest
of commercalism, misdi-
rected ambition, and false doctrines in
The American press. But, however seri-
ously we may regret and resent the
ebullition, we cannot ignore the irresistible
conclusion that this particular channel
and this alone affords a vent for uneX-
pressed beliefs and suspicious which can
De dissipated only by the clear rays of
'eason following whatever form of express
sion. AS contrasted with our own coun-
ry, Russia to-day stands forth a vivid
example of the effect of suppressed opin-
on. Discomfort would better burn than
shoulder. The continuous kissing of Of
ensive gases escaping is not pleasant,
,ut it is infinitely preferable to the other
wise inevitable explosion. Yet more i'm
,ortant, more vital to the permanence of
government of a whole people by them
elves, is absolute freedom of expression.
Upon that all depends Restrict it or
reate the impression in suspicious minds
hat it is being restricted and you sow
he wind.
With this general dictum few, if any,
would have the hardihood to disagree.
But it is often and, I regret to say, truly
Urged that liberty is subverted to Ii
ense. Freedom of speech, freedom of
publicity, yes; all admit the wisdom and
of preserving both. But how fire.
uently is added, especially by men in
ublic office, vigorous defamation
gainst unfair criticism" and how al
nost daily is uttered. sometimes a violent
nd unwarranted, sometimes a dignified
nd justifiable, protest against invasion
f privacy" "encroachments upon per-
onal rights" and like offences, Only
hose behind the curtain of the editorial
anctum can fully appreciate the pro-
ortion of insincerity contained in the
irtuous avowals of shy and retiring,
hough weak and human, beings of both
exes. In nine cases out Of ten, the most
ociferous protest may be attributed safe
Y to self-suffciency, snobbishness, or a
uilty conscience. There is so little of
lalice in American newspapers as to be
nworthy of notice, but it is unquestion-
bly, true that too little heed is paid to
he fact that unwilful Misrepresentation
often quite as serious in effect.
Worst of all is the refusal to rectify