The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1910-09-21
TIE INFLUENCE OF THE PRESS.

IeEerIleIcSS the IStcHt t.SSi'Sit
has demonstrated clearly I man
can win without the press or rath,
er with the entire press OF the
State against hin. or neEtra!.
This Is accounted ,or IL our luoS-
ment. in the fact that the people
are no longer led by the haran-
CUES OF deGagogue> not are they
niSle6 by the rawlings o. I para
san press: whenever the newSpa-
per> appear TO DC IN 4 combine
against q man. whether or not
there has been 81 understanding
between them u.aAe> no difference
once the masses believing from
the manner Of the press there IS
such 2 combination, then they at
-ssce so to the reScue OF the
horssa.ssaS.-o one and become his
trusted friend
The newspapers with but Very
few exceptions were arrayed
AGAINST Cole L. Slca>e, not only
so, but there were men gong over
the State attempting with the
forked tongue ot s!ander to olach-
en- the mans character. the sac.
redness Of the mans private az
fairs were diSresarded. these
things and others had their Intu-
ence with the masses and they
put their stamp OF diSapproval
upon the methods employed by
the opposition to Blease. It is our
opinion the PronibitionistS made
a grave mistake when they.
through their leaders, gave out
between the first and second prl,
maries that the liocor question
was eliminated, and the dgh: had
resolved itself 10 question OF
men. this had the effect Of dr!v-
ing from Mr.. Featherstone many
who we're supporting him on the
prohibition platform. and it crea-
ed distrust among those who
favored local option; the Local
Optionists could not see how II
was possible for those who pro
fessed to oe for prohibition from
moralstandpoint could desertto
compromise : moral principle for
votes for the elevation Of any man
topublic Office, the regard
ed the action Of the Prohibition
lists as confirming their belief shat
the prohibition movement IS not
a moral issue but political one
with its leaders ciamorins 10 get
into ofhce-hungerlns after the
flesh pots.
It is clearly demonstrated the
newspapers can only &c a potent
force in the politics in the State
when they can give such editorial
expressions as will appeal to the
Judgment of the people; while the
press is moulder Of sentiment.
and has powerful influence, It
can only exert thasiniuence when
it is lust. and right. The people
are very discerning, they SraSpa
situation quickly. it is easy for
them tosee the difference between
an honest expressions OF the press.
and an expression prompted oy
personal spleen: in the recent
election there is no doubt IN our
mind that much Of the opposition
to Blease was prompted by the
personal hatred OF The State S ed
itor, his views was accepted and
followed by many Of the weehllcS
(weaklies}that never harean orig.
inal idea, but who are dependent
on The State for an editorial cue.
The State is their promptor, and
hence, they followed it much Ike
fce follow the yelp OF the lead
hound n chase. We regard the
lesson taught the newspapers OF
South Carolina one Of the best
and most profitable they have had
in many years, and predict. IL the
future there will be more justice,
accuracy and conservatism IN the
press Of this State
The people read the new>pa-
perS, then they think fo!. them
selves how they shall act. the day
has gone oy when they regard
every editorial expression as AZ
incontrovertable fact, they read.
and they reason, often reaching
the same con, i"sion as the editor.
bu. frequently arriving at OPP
posite conclusions. therefor. i.
oehooyeS the press @: the State
20 be fair. and 10 remember that
abaSe, and misrepresentation *
not an influencing factor II ttlls
dav OF universal intelligence.
The recent election haS demon
Strated clearly 20 oU!. mind :hat
the prohibition cal:Se is on the
ware. aud the leadership ct mat
cause IS most responsible for I.
Under the iaw as i = aow ,ilut
cause made woaderfu! prog
reSS. the Proil;oItioniStS rot Sat.>-
tied with sradual elimination Of
the Equor traffic. 70 60 step oE
step aS the sentlnen, Ju>tit',S
each movc. but they sc. hungry
Cor office, and drop the poEc so:
the shadow ov trying 70 ;orce
frcm the people the principle o.
local self government. AID, =
they do not have care, tselH con-
duct in this last election VII! nrIng
on the swing of the pendulum .nc
other way. and possible the othe.