The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-08-14
ANOTHER PUNDIT ON JOURNALISM
Editorial from the OreGonian.

show more or less innovation and de-
parture from the older guides of expe-
rience, the newspaper can no more be
expected to ignore and defy the GUS
toms, interests and prejudices prevail
ing about it than the pulpit and the
church can: and the pulpit and church
VIGOROUSLY and in every age have
been just what the age has made
them That is the reason why so
many immoralities and cruelties have
church and religion. Among the forces
of human life there is not much that
burns with pure flame; and journal
ism on the whole does its duty as well
as. the other forces around it. Accu-
sations of venality so often heard
against the press are seldom true. No
newspaper that has a position in jour-
nalism. or hopes to make one, will
compromise it's prospects by taking
money for Jobs" or by favoring ''in-
terests'' that seek advantages, whether
of a public Or private nature.
Chief of all the conservative forces
of society is the self-respecting and
self supporting newspaper. Such homi-
lies as that of Mr.. Roberts are not
necessary; and, moreover, they are in
sulting in the indecency of their sug-
geston that the journalism of the
country is actuated by mercenary mo-
tives and falls below its obligations.
But too much must not be expected
from the newspapers of the country
They never can be much better than
the conditions that surround them al
low them to be. In our country all
movements or projects of a public ma
ture are carried into politics and en-
gage the attention of political parties.
Then comes the debate whether this Or
that is right, or not-in connection in
almost every case with the question
whether it is expedent and practicable
or not. The newspaper that is earnest,
strong and aggressive may help a cause
it espouses, or may injure it. The last
consequence is as likely to happen as
the first. For politicians, and he peo-
pie, too, object to the ''dictation' of
the newspaper, and have been merely
because powerful newspapers of their
own party had opposed them and
shaken off their influence as party
bosses, Or helped to do so.
On the question of expediency there
always is liability to endless debate,
with every variety of opinion; and
things that are possible and practical
BILE at one time are not so at another.
The newspaper must meet all these
conditions, and a thousand more. In
raised against it; and this question,
though falsely raised and not having
the least to do with the matters at is
sue, will often outweigh all the news
papers's arguments, and the right of
the matter, too. Newspaper men Of
experience, therefore, do not descant
much on the power of the press"
They leave that to the imagination of
sentimentalists. controlled by "bookish
theorlc,' and to neophites of Journal
obtain.
1T is mistake, therefore, to ina eine
that the press of the country could
run the country. Newspapers are di-
rected by men, who differ from each
other as much in thought, feeling.
prejudice, purpose, as other men. Even
their Judgments of what is right will
De at variance, and their judgments
as to what is expedient more so.
Moreover, it is through the disagree
ments of journalism. more than in the
| consensus, that results are to he had
conducive to the welfare of the conn
try. Men who know what newsnaner
work is, who know from experience its
possibilities and limitations. can very
well dispense with the wisdom of the
pundlts and the sophisters who ESSAY
10 preach to them about their opportu-
mites and their duties.