The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-12-26
WHY SEEN LiURELS.

Sometimes the quiet self-contempla-
ton of Il service well performed is its
only reward. Always it should be its
greatest reward.
press. it would seem, are now dis
treSsed to death because the world
has not paused to thank the pencil
pushers of the country for their part
in winning the war. Perhaps a general
Press Day" should he declared and
m0sse to do honor to the ink slnearers
far and near
What think you? Well, we think it
should not follow.
There perhaps has not been il Liberty
loan foated that would have met with
success without the aid Of the news
papers. The press spread far and naer
the gospel of the Food Administration.
All loyal publishers throughout the
union, and especially those in charge
of the country weeklies. untiringly
waged war on German propaganda.
backed up the work Of the many draft
boards, championed the cause of the
Red Cross, forwarded all worthy work
for funds for this or that cause. 80
persistently gave publicity to the sale
of thrift and war-Savings stamps that
the Government reaped loan of many
millions from this source alone-and
so on, and so on.
4
publicity Tin news editorial and adj
vertising columns) was free to the
Gcyernment-andt the people, who are
the Government. The Banner never
reaped penny of gain from such
sources. and we are glad of it. Many
newspapers. perhaps, made the same
sacrifice, if such it may be called
The task for the newspapers was
not a large one-it was stupendOus.
And the big load had to be slOuldered
In the face of the advanced and ever
advancing prices of all commodities
entering into the making and circulat-
ing of Il newspaper. But it was done.
and as newspapermen we should re-
view the record with satisfaction
rather than to he casting around at
tl,is time for expected plaudits from
governmental and other sources But,
as a matter Of truth these have come
that is. they have come to this office.
Collectively they would have made u
batch perhaps large enough to fill a
pigeon hole" in our desk. But we
didn't save them to frame and hang on
the wall, hut passed them along to the
waste basket. This is the season for
them and they are looming up big in
the mails. and we incline to the belief
that every beart-sore publisher up and
down the line. and all around. will get
his share-if he has all along been a
regular fellow" and was truly with
the cause. Surely nc one expected the
world to pause in the midst Of the war
to lavish out praise to the patriotic
press.
In all seriousness. it may he said
that the newspapers of the union car
ried to Il successful conclusion many,
perhaps about all. Of the aims Of the
Government in preparing for and max
gave first aid. and most aid But who
else was So armed for this service?
and If no one else. then why shouldn't
the newspapers have met it?
Again, the newspapers did not win
Americas part in the war Nor did
Uncle Sans Army. or Navy; nor was
1t the Red Cross Society, or the Saliva
ton Army, or any of those worthy war
working organizations; or the ner-
chant fleet, or the farmers and ranch
ers who produced the foodstuffs, meats.
etc. Not one of these--but all Of them,
and the other many agencies. in Il
united effcrt and God-given strength
and purpose. The press furnished the
publicity, held the forces together
preached the doctrine of patriotism,
and unflaggingly fought German prop
aganda. But why Il halo over the head
of the publisher on that account:
The individual who has helped to
win the war has only done his duty by
his flag and country. Little more of
credit is due to one than to another.
BY far the majority of those in the
great new army We're drafted And the
young man who went into the service
just ahead of the draft is not in the
true sense volunteer. The man we
are going to take our hat off to Is the
young daredevil who voluntarily en-
tered the service, under the Stars and
Stripes or in Frances Foreign Legion,
long before it was known by reason Of
legislation in Washington that lie
would have to go in. Also. those in
needy circumstances here at home who
have made sacrifices to subscribe to
war loans win our unqualified admira-
ton. But none Of us were supposed to
stand idly by while Germany conquer
cd, one by enc. her opponents and then,
after taking possession of England's
great feet, proceeded to America to
make us foot the cost of the war-sis
was their boast.
Let rs not weary. The fight Is not
ended-tiie work of the press :lS re-
suit of the world war is just fairly
begun. For the moment the exploita-
ton must he in the interest Of the
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