The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-04-01
ROOSEVELT ON JOURNALISM.

Theodore Roosevets selection of Journalism" the
theme of his first in The Outlook which appeared
before he retired from the Presidency following OF the
immemora precedent by editors of newspapers on r
breaking into the profession Such have generally heraded
their with less reconcile expression OF their
of the hghness of the calling and appreciation OF Jus
duties responsibilities Most of times in the average
ease probably their chief for the selection OF shop
write about that there has nothing as yet come into te
heads topic For the journalist may be bom right
enough but he still has to be made by contact with the
realities of the times in which he lives 1t is the way ne
deals with these which will decide whether or not ne was
really born to the fourth estate Mr. Roosevelt though can
not be compared with new hand at the peows Even DIS
with the playing of all his other roles
he a of from his youth The press has
been not the least used instrument of his uneXmped
of influence and power Not only in ephemera discussions OF
they shaped into events has he employed it.
but in adding to the fabric of American literature integral
parts and strong wha which are likely to remain IN posi-
ton long the flag above the dome OF liberty Al
though may be differing opinions about the spectacular
attack he instituted in the courts just before retiring from
country nobody will classify him with those who would in
tenonay abrdge the freedom of the press as established
in the charter Of national liberty.
Mr. Roosevelt says that every owner reporter of
newspaper asset Of real value to the
kind big and little also have that emphacay
not evidently with thought of specific
that had him eadds During the last
years has become evident that certain are
controlled by men who have gained wealth in evil fashion
who desire to stfe honest public opinion and who find an
instrument the purchased mendacy of those who edit and
anoSs Of that hdeous Yellow Journalism Which defes the
cult of the mendacou the sensational and the name he
alton for men of cultivation and Which is quite as fatal to
their usefulness yellow journalism This class he
ragn in that applicable to element
nected with the PRESS except through patronage to the
newspapers described There element indeed,
spOnsble than this for growing conditions that
the foundations Of republican government Mr. Roosevelt
says.
A newspaper which avoids vulgar sensatiOnalism,
which appeals people of taste and intelligence, may
nevertheless do them grave harm and be within it's
rather limits element of serious mis-
chief For it may habualy and consistently practice
malign and slanderOus untruthfuness which, though
refined is as immoral as sensationalism. cul
tivaed of good intelligence who has acquired the
knack of saying bitter things but who lacks the robust
feel among of action, is apt, if his
nature has anything of meanness untruthulness to
sit in clustered aoofness and 10 endeavOr, by
ceasing output of SANDER to bolster up his uneasy
desire to be considered superior
Now, paper edited by men of this stamp does not
have much popularj influence, but it may exert real
influence for evil by The way in which teaches young
of good education, that decent and upright men
properly the subjects for foul attacks the
most debased coTuptionst is that efficiency and wick
edness interchangeable, and that the correct atti
tude to adopt in facing the problems of time is
of sneering and superunctuous untruthfulness.