Year: 1874

The Charlotte Observer, being


necessitated to be personal IN some


of its remarks, thus premises as to


the duty Of an editor:


But We will not mince matters.


We "call q spade a spade" Upon


every public journalist, who has a


spark Of patriotism in his breast there


are devolved high and responsible du-


ties. And in these sad, and disas-


trous times his highest and most


responsible duty, is to be true to his
people, and stand by the Party that


is the only ark of his country's


safety. A conservative journalist who


from corruption, want of patriotisms
or timidity, shirks this duty, has no
more business at the head of a news


paper, than hypocrite in the pulpit,


a traitor at the pilots wheel, or a
coward at the head OF an army. He


is out of place, and a disgrace to


his profes> ION, and people ought to


wipe their feet with his publications,


and not read them. His opinions


are worth nothing, and his words are


"as sounding-brass, and tinkling
cymbals."


If there are such responsibilities
resting On journalists does it not
follow that there are reciprocal


duties on the part of the people :?
Public journals are the exponents


Of popular sentiment. 1t is true
that in a certain sense they lead
the views of the mass of thinkers,
but in the main they are but indices of
the will Of the people, their suppor-
ters. We say siis ~;.Lo~4 ~h-o-
eating from the dignity and high
functions of journalism, for in most
instances q member of a political,
religious or social faction, conducts
his periodical with the expressed
and avoWed purpose Of using all
honorable means to further the in>
terest Of his party.


There is then a mutual and re~
ciprocal duty resting on the jour-
nalist and the people. 1t is his
to criticise honestly and fearlessly
all public men, to advocate with
zeal and intrepidlty the cause of
his party and in all things to stand
forth as a fair exponent of his
people, and it is the part of the
people to uphold his hands and aid
him in his work for them by a
cordial moral support. What can
we hope to accomplish when the
journals cry for, and the people
seem to demand, stringent action,
for instance, for the suppression of
Radicalism, if the matter is not
allowed to work in society and the
people hob-nob With the vilest
Radicals for fear they may use
their power against them? What
can an editor hope to accomplish
for his party, when men repeat the
non~senSical ribaldry Of some negro.
mongering politician as good joke
against him? What good will
ever be effected by advocating eer-
tain political measures, although
sanctioned by the people, unless
those people do their part in carry
ing out those views in society ?
The people of North Carolina have
their fate in their own hands and,
though we blush to say it, it is
their own fault that they are to-day
in such state of political degre>
dation. People do not deserve to
be free who will make no sacrifice
for its attainment, and until we
teach the ignorant hordes who lord
it over US that we are the rightful
rulers of the State, by private and
individual action, we may look in vain
to the press of the country. 1t is
unless with the co>opera~
ton of the people.