Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-01-08
yellow JOURNALISM
N Honor DEFENDERS LABOR CONVENTION
IS BECOMING A MUCH ABUSED
term.
The Literature Of Exposure NAY be
''YeilOw," but 1t Certainly is What
the People Want. "PubliC Opin-
jOn' Fears too Much Truth Nay
be Told.

The magazine known as Public Opin-
ion" says: "Yeller journalism, as exem-
plitied by Mr.. Lawson. seems to have
about run its course. We note in the
very magazines that have been yelling
our national disgraces into the ears of
the public tendency toward conserva.
tive criticism. This is as it should be-
II the literature of exposure were car
ried much farther it would make us all
deaf or ind tftrent. We do not wish to
learn so much vi evil as to bel eve that
there is no good in any man. We know
enough now to keep us busy with RENE.
dies for some time"
Tie disclosures concerning the corrupt
practices of men who have pretended to
possess a monopoly upon the virtue and
patriotism of tie country nee not lead
men to the notion that "there is no good
in any man."
The truth is that these pretent t.ous
rogtles have not been above susp ciOn.
It was long ago openly charged that in
1886 they used il-gotten gains for the
purpose OF controlling elections, and
while they succeeded in their political
efforts, it was no considerable surprise
when the mask was lifted and their real
character was exposed.
What fearfully and wonderfully made
expressions some Of these high class pub
lications coin! What is constructive
criticism" anyway? Pretentous men
have been exposed in corrupt practices ,
it has been shown that they have resort
ed to thievery, to perjury and to all man
ner 0f crimes. In the presence OF such
evils, criticism should take the form Of
vigorous condemnation, and should be
followed by the unrelenting prosecution
of the men guilty Of the wrongs.
What "Public Opinion" calls "the
literature OF exposure" has not been car
ried far enough. 1t must be clear to
every intelligent person that The half has
not been told, as it must be clear to
every intelligent person that the whole
truth must be known if popular govern
ment is to be preserved.
"Pubic Opinion" says: "We know
enough now to keep us busy with reme-
dies for some time" What has become
of ali this talk Of publicity" with which
"Public Opinion" and other journals Of
that class regaled their readers? Why,
just at the moment when the people
have obtained mere hint of corruption
in high circles, do these high class pub
LEGATIONS abandon their pleas for "pub.
licity" and call halt lest ordinary men,
reared in accordance With the old fash.
ioned notions OF honesty lose faith in one
another?
eve know enough now TO keep us
',usy with remedies for sometime;" yet
there, and when, have these remedies
been applied? We see many members
of congress, some OF them indicted by
grand juries, others actually convicted
in courts of justice, and others whose
disreputable acts have been exposed be-
fore the insurance committee, yet all
holding office. We see men high in the
councils of the republican party, and
men conspicious in commercial circles,
accused of the theft Of trust funds, OF
giving perjured testimony and of various
crimes. These men have no defence yet
they are permitted to go free.
Why have not some of the remedies
been applied? One reason is that we
have not had half enough of what
"Public Opinion" calls "the literature of
exposure" The rising tide of public in.
dignation finds itself checked by appeals
put forth by distinguished republicans to
the effect that we must not indulge in
"hysteria," while publications like
"Public Opinion" plead that "construc.
tive criticism" be applied to existing
evils. AS "a mons mon, for a. that,
and a. that" so thief is thief, wheth.
er he be the hapless wretched hurried to
Jail because lie has stolen loaf OF bread,
or a peck of coal, or the we'll dressed
rogue OF New York who. though he has
stolen millions, is permitted to escape
with his plumber and required to endure
no more serious punishment than that
involved in constructive criticism"