Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-01-06
NEWSPAPERS AND HISTORIANS.

NkWSfAfEh0 AND lhlDlUhIANS.
Criticism of newspaper accuracy Is
favorite pastime of the people who
don't know much of facts themselves
and pick upon the exceptional evil
of dishonest paper as ruling
characteristic of the press. Dishonest
newspapers, like dishonest men, do
exist.
The historian probably studies the
accuracy of the newspaper with more
discriminating care than the man
who reads papers for news or finds
opinions expressed not to his liking.
The historian accepts the news
paper. honest or dishonest. as a cor
rect index of the times.
This is the sensible conclusion ia
ken by the author OF one of the pa
pers read at recent national assem-
bly, of historians. He admits II may
be true that reports given in certain
newspapers are colored to suit n per-
sonal or spiteful whim-but this he
considers a correct representation OF
the times, because every truth has its
accompanying untruth, and the prop
or historians seek the situation as 1t
H., rather than rs they think Ii
should be.
Taking as his subject The Use of
Newspapers for the History of the
Period from 1S50-lS77," Mr.. Rhodes
said:
"The attitude of society to the
newspaper is unsympathetic and this
affects to some degree the feeling of
American historians when they con-
slider the use of newspapers as histo-
rical materials, leading them to
adopt an apologize tone in justify
ing their employment. This attitude
Is, however, beside the question, as
Is seen when we detach ourselves
from American life and conditions.
For example, when Aulard criticiSes
Taine for using two only OF the
twelve journals available for the his
tory of the French Revolution our i'm
preston is the same as II Tame were
criticised for the neglect of evidence
of another class. Taking the news
paper for what II Is. with its virtues
and its limitations. II seems curious
that an apology should be necessary
for its use as historical material. For
IL is contemporary, written without
knowledge of the end. and its aim Is
10 print the news which is present
politics. II its relation is colored by
honest or dishonest craftsmanship
that may be easily detected.
For the history of the decade Of
1S5O-lS6O newspapers are indispen
sable to get at all the facts. to e
tray the changing public opinion
which Is q prominent feature OF thos'
ten years. As | based statement aft
sr statement upon newspaper author
ity, knowing that was subjectini
myself to criticism. | could not keel
thinking of the cogency of the re
mark, so well attested by "A variet,
of examples.
"A modern newspaper statement
though probably true, IL quoted in
book as testimony, would be .laughe
al; but the letter Of court gossip
II written some centuries ago,
thought good historical evidence
When we test newspaper evidence a
we do all other evidence, taking int
account the general situation, tn
surrounding influences, and the ind
vidual bias of the journalist, we sha
find 1t excellent authority, contribu'
ing to vivid narrative. This is ei
pecially so for the decade of 1851
1860, when It is well worth while
have the statements and opinions
such great journalists as Creole!
Dana, Bryant, Bigelow, Raymond
Webb, Bowles, Thurlow, Wee
Sohouler, and Medill.
"For the history OF the Civil Wa
the newspapers. so far as the Nortl
ern side is concerned. are not so In
portant for historical evidence,
during the decade preceding 1t. TIL
The story of campaigns and battle
which naturally MI SO much OF tn
space, is more accurately and tho
oughly told in the monumental pull
lication of our Government - tn
Official Records OF the Union and Coz
federate Armies. The Souther
newspapers, however, give many u.s.
full political facts nowhere else to l
n aHn MI Ia