University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1908-12-16
PRESS GREATEST PULPIT
FOR CHURCH OF MAN
Rabbi Leon Harrison Says Journalism is a Moral
Force, and Editors Greatest Educators
Points Out Modern Faults.


other
The price of liberty is. indeed. eternal
vigilance. Thus, also. do We safeguard
morality. of individuals and oi the
state, the press is the Waterman.
Who watches at night in our palaces
of trade, in the costly empOriums where
treasures lie near the covetous hand:
Who watches in street and avenue? \
light stands sentinel. No protection i
as certain as the light. Its friendly
gleam means security, exposure: reye-
latiOn means prevention.
The vigilance of the press is this light
| that terrifies the malefactor. This is
the brighter side of the terrible power
over men welded by the organ OF pub
LEFTY. Not second to the policeman's
club is the pen that stabs to death out
rageOus crimes and wrongs.
Government by Newspaper
IT Is, however, in affairs of the com
| monweaith that this power il most
needed. The sure protection OF de-
-potism is silence. Liberty. incorrup-
tible liberty, demand, a press that can
not be gagged or bribed and Will not
be silenced.
Men have had government by church.
by king, by parliament. They are hay
ing now, more and more. government
by newspaper.
These representatives are immedi
iately, daily responsible; are in direct
contact with their constituencies ana
together speak the mind Of the nation.
They reflect. We may say, Yet do not
always direct. There is limit to their
power. Almost the whole body OF Pari-
sian Journalism had poured out oppro-
brium on the unfortunate Dreyfus: yet
public opinion slowly but surely re-
vised the Judgment OF passion for that
OF reason.
The press. on the whole. has risen
above the crude morality OF the average
man and proved a moral force. The
abolition OF slavery. though bitterly
contested, by divided press. was per
sistently forced to an issue. in season
and out Of season, by men whose wears
We're spent. whose fortune were given.
whose life. in instances. was sacrificed
to their invincible plea for Justice The
vital reforms in factory labor. child
labor, We're gained, step by step. alike
by agitation and by the indomitabIe
persistence OF the press that would
neither halt nor surrender. II Is the
last court of justice for the legally help
less. Before these tribunals OF the peo-
pl" the petitions OF the unfortunate
may be presented before hope is dead.
People Are Editors.
I IfiAT the newspapers will inevi-
w tably be is what the people are.
The whole people of city are
editing its papers. They are made to
sell to You and ME. They indicate and
C'S'' ehN SthCidi dNtidSt. lDt
ards OF the great majority. To this ex-
tent you can mend them by mending
Yourself Cease to be ignorant and mar
row and coarse. Cease to delight in
repulsive revelations. and they will not
he furnished. Care more for truths than
for trivial personalities. and the latter
Will dwindle. Emerson has remarked
that IN the time spent in dawdling over
a newspaper every day a man might ac-
luire liberal education. Secure this
precious possession. he it even from
single master work. and with justor and
nobler standards you may demand and
receive more from the craftsman of
the press.
You may then demand perhaps. that
a statesman may receive more space
han prize fighter. and the death OF
poet more than a gamblers fortunes.
on may then ask that a master, book
De as fully mentioned a, IA betting
book; and the movements of thought
u the movements OF stock. You NAV
'Npeet deeper reverence respect for
our freely ichosen ruler. that their
I@h offices may receive dignity and au-
hOrity by being reverenced and honor
I'll; and "A touch of awe in the presence
II the sacred things that are profaned
" rude familiarity.
/" work -teadfastly for purity I'M
ullied. unsuspected purity in politics.
'egardles- OF party, and for Justice.
ven handed Justice. between the classes.
egardless of interests and proprietor
mp to be a purifier thus and a peace
maker may seem Utopian function for
'ur press; yet it is only difficult. and
Wholly possible.