Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-02-10

tOTS WOulu SASTClSe greater care IN
the publishing of society incidents,
the reading of which is not fit to be
found in our homes. Now the editor
may argue that it is his place to give
the people news by informing them
correctly as to what is taking place.
We are willing to grant him this priv
ilege but still believe there is room
for Improvement in the method by
which this is to be done. believe
it is possible to write up all divorce
cases, court proceedings and first
class runaway matches SO as to create
disgust for such things and not
incite longing to read them. In
the fact there is a business Office in
connection with his paper, and the
fact that few papers exist merely to
make money and that many editors
die poor is a strong reason why the
better people in every community
should support him in each attempt
to promote civic righteousness. Too
often he is deserted by those very
citizens who induce him to commit
himself upon moral issues. Years
ago in one of our newly settled terri
tories there appeared this strangely
worded law: No person shall be
allowed to carry loaded firearms on
or near a public highway, except to
destroy a ferocious wild beast or a
public officer in the discharge of his
duty fear that too often the edi-
tor is regarded as that public officer
by being made the butt-end of crit
icism of a contemptuous public. In
the question of temperance the influ-
ence of the editor is second to none
and when the church of Christ and
public press unite in their demand
for temperance the millennium of
righteousness will dawn.
Every reader is better or worse
in morals and religion than he would
be without the daily press. The
power of journalism when used on
the right side is immense and almost
irresistible. There is only one thing
more striking than the mighty power
and advance of the public press and
that Is the dizziness of the public in
general to perceive its important in
fluence. If the editors of great daily
papers we're so disposed they could
render incalculable and imperishable
service to the Kingdom of God. A
time serving press is the curse of any
country We should not regard the
lpress as a rival to the pulpit, 1t should
supplement and back up the teaching
of the preacher when his efforts ex-
tend in the right direction. Within
our memory some religious people
we're afraid of the secular press and
would not read it's pages. Some still
fear to read it, and their fears are not
without foundation. For that portion
of the newspaper which deals with
the detail proceedings of criminal
courts and public scandals-such as
the late Thaw trial for examples
not fit to come into our homes. We
admit the secular press exists to tell
us what is going on. But in addition
to it's other well known duties, we
ask it's editor to glorify the good and
expose the bad in such a way as not
to fire the lust and feed the greed
but abash the evil doer and kindle
hatred against his conduct.
I'VE take on our hats to the edi-
tors of the mighty dailies who re-
! nounce the wrong and encourage the
! right with intelligent enthusiasm.
The press needs men of intellect and
conscience. men who will discuss
: science as 1t affects religion and deal
) in the spirit of Christ with all the
} great social questions that are pug.
zling this world These subjects can.
: not be Enthusiastically discussed IN
! the pulpits. The editor does truly
religious work when he advocates
; Temperance, education and denouncel
; immortality. political intrigue and job
! berry, and the diversified selfishnesl
j that is cursing the body polite.
: The editor should stand today
/ " For the truth that lacks assistanc,
D For the wrong that needs resistance
4 For the future in the distance.
: And the good that he can do
5 He has no license to do wrong
he has boundIess liberty and Oppor
$ tunity to do good"