Newark post., 1914-12-30
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY TO
THE COMMUNITY

day. Especially will this be true
of local and community history.
With all the criticism to which the
newspaper is subjected, from the
pulpit, from the platform, it can
not be disputed that the reflection
of the thought and action of a
community can best be seen from
the columns of the weekly press. If
the tone of the newspaper is not IN
keeping with the ideals of any in
dividual. it is because that individ-
ual has kept recluse those ideals
within the walls of his study, rather
than go out and face the crowd,
and by persuasion or by force of
argument and character, assume
leadership in a campaign for bet
ter things--be they of material
moment or general moral welfare.
The newspaper of today seldom
fails to give full and wide public
ity to any movement tending to-
ward Improvement. This is not
through any superiority of the
forces operating but purely as a
business asset and plain duty OF
citizenship. It i'll becomes citi-
zen to criticise the tone of a news
paper unless he has taken an active
interest in what goes to make up
that news. An ideal that has as its
sponsor one who refuses to mingle
with-aye, if necessary face, with
challenge.-the crowd, is of small
moment in the America Of today.
If the newspaper of the COM
munity in which you live does not
rise to your standard, read its col
umns and take note of the part
you have played. Therein you can
honestly criticise the newspaper
and by way of parenthesis get a
public view Of yourself.
But let us BE- concrete. In the
review of the work accomplished in
Newark during the past year, does
The Post fail to give YOU full credit
for your achievements? Does the
record show that you have given
your full share to the community s
interest? If it does give you full
credit. and YOU are not satisfied
with the general tone Of your home
paper-then you have failed Just
to that extent.
With all that Newark has ac-
lcOmplished during the past year,
have you done your full stint to-
ward making this community bet
ter place in which to live and rear
your children?
Our paper is the subject of crit
iclsm both kind and severe. This
Is as it should be- But we at times
question your point of view. For
example of how we think you
should judge: With all our derelic
tion and failure, what have you
sald-what have you done-toward
"a Free Library and Reading Room.
the greatest need Of Newark to-
day? What have you done to-.
ward an institution to compete with
pool rooms? Are not these worthy
OF lip loyalty to say naught of ac-
tive personal service? In the cam
paign by the Alumni Association
for Neighborhood Meetings repre-
sentative of the spirit of co-opera-
ton, founded on good fellowship.
irrespective Of creed or station
what have you done? Has it your
support? Your verbal support by
simple word of encouragement.
your personal support by lending
service? Or, are you devoting all
your time and energy to your per-
sonal social set and club? Your
part In these things go far in max
ing up the tone Of your home paper
You can add greatly to its influence
Indeed by encouragement and SER
vice, you can make it represent
your ideal. The editor of the rural
paper is, after all, of small NOM
ent. AT best he is merely one citi-
zen, expressing in his columns, one
man. s view. But as a. clearing
house agent for the best in his COM
munity he can be Of service.
10 and for that, we offer the col
umns Of the Post. Aside from our
own column you are in great part
responsible for what it contains.
Commentator of evil is all right
and we go in black and white time
and time again with no chance nor
inclination to hedge. But how
about word of encouragement, an
act OF support from youf
We commend the chronicles, ap
pearing in another column. for
your careful perusal and request
that each and every citizen ask the
question: What part have | play
ed IN making the history of New.
ark during l9l4-n