The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-11-24
SCOLDlNG THE EDITOR
Ocala, Fla, Nov. 16, 1911.
To the Editor Ocala Banner:

Under the head of can Apparent In
difference to the Public Welfare" in
your paper of Friday morning, l no
tice that you rather severely bring to
task the citizens of Ocala for their
seeming Indifference in matters per-
tanning to the good of our city. I am
glad to see such an editorial in your
paper. One criticism that I have of it
is that it came rather late. However,
it seems to me that in this matter it
is a case of casting the beam out CT
your own eye before you remove the
mote from the eye of your brother.
And not only the Banner, but it ap-
pears to me that the Star is far more
guilty than yourself
The newspaper is the moulder of
public opinion. 1t is it's duty to lead
in the fight for the public. 1t is it's
duty to keep before the people those
things that are right, and to keep
from them those thingf that are
wrong
Let us see if our criticism is we'll
founded You mention the failure of
the board of trade. l have not seen
within recent times a strong editorial
in either of our papers regarding such
body.
In regard to the T. & P. railroad,
have in times gone by seen small
space given to this proposition by
your paper, and do not remember
having seen anything in the Star.
In regard to the union depot, | have
not seen anything in your paper on
that line for some time, while the Star
has continued to fight the proposition.
This is the first time that l have
seen anything in any paper concern
ing the arrest of citizens for block
ing the sidewalks.
Honest, Mr.. Editor, now, have you
written one editorial on the Camp
lighting question? Have you, your
self, come out very strongly in favor
of this proposition in a prominent ed
itorial, and have you continued to
fight for it? Have you agitated it in
your paper, and have you kept the
people aroused to it? Have you writ
ten any strong editorials on the ques-
ton of the water works? Have you
in your paper, called for an expression
on the part of the candidates on how
they stand on public questions? Even
in your article you say, Let's get an
expression from them on these mat
ters," etc. Why didn't you say, 1--WE
want an expression from these peo-
pie, and we demand that they give
| it?"
And, then, why not keep after them
until they do express themselves, and
| if they do not, see that they are de-
feated for office; or, if they do not
stand right, fight them through your
newspaper. is that not the proper at
| titude? Are the newspapers afraid to
fight for such questions themselves
If so, why do they expect other citiz-
zens to take up the fight? In small
town, are the newspapers afraid to
fight for individuals, and to fight for
principles because they will incur the
enmity of the people? You are the
guardian and the leader-and it is UP
to you. You are set aside in our So
cial system, not only to furnish the
news, but to fight for the good of the
people. You are, by virtue OF your
position, the leader in these fights,
and the blame for negligence falls
most heavily upon your own shout
ders. Take up the fight. Come out
in scare-head editorials, if need be, on
these propositions, and if you are
right the people will stand by you.
You must lead, you must fight, and
for every enemy that you make there
will arise an hundred friends who will
call you blessed. ELIAB.