The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-01-27

of Democratic editor, he p0unced up
| on it at once, snd declared that he had
read it before. He could not say ex-
actly where, but he would take his oath
that it was downright plagiarism from
beginning to end. That would have
| been pretty fair joke, but the next
day Republican editor came out val |
iantly in defense of the Governor, pro-
nounced the charge libelods, and
challenged any man living to produce
one single line of. the proclamation
that had appeared in print before.
That venality exists in the news
paper profession would be idle to deny.
Unfortunately, men have gained ad-
mission to the profession who areutter-
ly incapable of understanding it's duties
or assuming its responsibilities, and
such men will probably continue in the
work, for no rigid standard of moral
qualification can be applied.
But these are the excrescences tnat
affilct all the higher callings, and they
are not so numerous as to effect ma
terially the high standard which the
newspaper profession as whole main
tains by the devotion to duty and high
ideals of the great body of its members.
The greatest service a newspaper
performs is the championship Of
measures that concern the masses OF
the people. Every good cause instinct
lively seeks its aid with absolute con-
fidence.
The rural press, because of its more
intimate relations to the community,
and because it is less likely to be In
fiuenced by mercenary or sOrdid con-
siderations, exercises relatively deep.
er influence than its more pretentiOus
urban contemporary. The editor has
opportunity to study at closer range
} the men whose fame he fashions, and
is more independent and impartial in
the discussion of public questions.
Like the other public agencies which
> enter SO largely into everyday life OF
the country town, the newspaper is
, reaching for and attaining higher
position. There is less of party rancor
and personal abuse. Where once the
3 editor regarded his rival as an avoWed
. enemy, deserving only contumely ana
> hatred, there are now almost invariably
!, personal friendship and desire to
work in harmony for the common
!. good.
|. The country editor has his foibles
4 and failings along with the rest OF man.
: kind. He is human, and is likely to be
: a little kind to the virtues and blind te
the faults of his political and persona
n friends. It is difficult for him, as it IL
d for other mOrtals, to make genera
= application of rules of conduct, fo1
- often he is confronted by local cOndi
tions and party necessities which die
n tate different course from that which
q his Judgment tells him ought to b.
= pursued There is forbearance for thes,
lapses, even though they are indefensi
ls BILE.
10 AS the ethics of the press reach
,r higher standard, the public appreci
atian of its services becomes enlarged
and on the part of both editor ant
le public is coming about better under
IS standing of responsibilities, Limitation
d and the rights of the newspaper. NJ
- longer has it brief to slander ant
- yilify, but it has the right to criticiZ
people and policies when the publi
le good warrants. As a general rule, th'
d, editor holds his enthusiasm in decen
ic restraint, and by fair and manly rebuk
. gives the cause he champions greater
impetus than could be possibly had b.
Sc the old methods of vituperation.
of The independence of the editor ba
q be en- potent agency in politics all,
: governmental reforms during the pas
y decade. He no longer follows hi
D. party, right or wrong. The fear o
in party ostracism does not make hir
it. afraid. The courageous editor ha
bo taught general recognition of the doc
- trine that political parties can nolonge
as thrust upon a decent constituency
of disreputable candidate or dishOnes
of public measure.
:. To last long-to last with liberty an
wealth-is the greatest problem to b
he solved by the modern state, and tn
no newspaper is and always will be in tn
l." van of progress. That the moral vi
m. lift everywhere apparent has reached
= higher and more general recognltio
~ away from the great centers of POI
he ulation is a tribute to the power of tt
ad country newspaper Out in the pur'
ao air. away from the strife and strugg
- of city life, the people have more tin
ln- and better opportunity to mt asure tt
ad problems that vex and fret.
The American Union has endure
ter and will endure so long as liberty last
- It's institutions will grow and fouris
so and mandood and wOmanhOOd VI
his reach the highest civilization, becau
ks. in this country therei is liberty of spec.
NO and action, and every incentive
~. virtue and honor in the path our fathe
n'0 blazed. Good and evil, Joy and sorro
ss- truth and falsehoOd will always exi!
not but the heart of the great Americ.
nat public has ever yearned for the bett
nd and brighter way. The country edit
7ell is one of the agencies ever at wo
pointing out the stars that shine behi1
EYE the clouds.