The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-18
THE MuzzLlNe OF THE PRESS.


bluff and buster engaged in by GER
tain papers in this country in regard
to the reported intention of the Presi-
dent to institute suit against them for
libel insregard to the Panama affair.
Even the editor of the Commoner,
who as most people know once ran
for the presidency, is quoted as saying
that:"Mr. Pulitzer is right, the Pre- SIS
cansnot be muzzled" 1t is not with
out smiling that we suspect that this
is OF the same bolt of irresistible
commonplace from which he cut the
famous piece Shall the people rule ?'
The people did rule. Undoubtedly the
press can not be muzzled. Hurrah!
Again the day has been saved:
Now that there remains not the
slightest doubt of Mr.. Roosevelts in
nocence. or Of the entire falsity of
the charges, some people will wond-
er why the affair should not be al
ut
being said of it. The fact remains
that perhaps the greatest object that
the President had in mind has escap-
ed most people. That object is to
make the press of the country be a
little more careful in regard to the
truth of it's statements. --.--'
The vast majority of the papers of
this country are as truthful and accu-
rate in their news and editorial col
umns as the circumstances will per-
nit and the number of papers who
wilfully fpervert their columns are so
few that they can be counted on one
hand OF these the New York World
stands at the head of the list in its
notorious attitude of Anything for a
sensation" By this means Mr.. Pulit-
ger Gan accute gentleman of business)
has made his circulation and his pro-
fits immense out of pandering to the
lowest that is in mankind.
Does any one think for a minute
that the reputable papers of this
country are going to be incensed
when Mr.. Pulitzer is brought to book
for his policy of disregard of the prin-
ciples of newspaper honor? Is it not
rather better that the fact shall be
recognized that such methods shall
no longer smirch the press? VIII ii
. hurt the newspapers who have had
the chance to carry libel day in and
day out and have refused to do it!
Onathe contrary it will be the mos,
salutary thing which can happen to
the Press.
Those papers which are ferretins
around the histories to find a parable
to the present condition will find &
difference between the presidents
proposed action and the Sedition law
of 1898. Although it is true that the
Sedition law had for its purpose pun
ishment of writing, publishing, print
ing, uttering, or causing, procuring Of
willingly and knowingly helping any
one to write print or publish any
false, scandalous. and malicious writ
ing against the government, o.
against the senate, or the house, O
the president of the United States
with intent to defame and bring them
severally or collectively, into disre
pute'' the careful observer will find
great difference. ..e
The difference is that the Seditiol
law had almost the same characters
tics as the monarchical 'lese Males
ty'' of European government which
gave to the men engaged in the gov
eminent a protection on account O
their office thus marking them of
from the other citizens of the Unitet
States and in reality making a clas
distinction. The action of the Presi
dent on the other hand is the use O
IuS ID" "AilI IL at TIC u
any citizen of the United States VIII
has been libeled in the newspaper
or otherwise. 1t is therefore not T.
be compared to 'lese Majesty be
cause for the nonce the citizen VIII
brings the suit happens to be TIL
President.
There will undoubtedly, those VIII
will continue to poke fun at the Pre-
ceeding. and to raise howls of chea
criticism at the lack of precedenr
But the fact is that the portion of til
press which has nothing to fear bs
cause or its past integrity will We
come any attempt to remove the 70
tenness Of the real yellow press.
/; is not so much case of muzz
ing as case of quarantine and mea:
ures for the public safety in regard t