that is very frequently a positive evil. And that
one is the strictly partisan organ. In order to
subserve party interests, it misrepresents men and
measures, falsifies facts, and scandalously traduces
private character, and its editor apparently be
comes so hardened in such shameful practices',
that he does not seem to know that he is
constantly offending against the most obvious
standards of decency and rectitude, that his paper
degrades instead of elevates, and that he prosti
tutes the high office of journalism by pandering
to the “lower range of feelings” in the human
heart. Conspicuous amongst this kind of offend
ers, are many of the county party papers at the
approach of every election. A few days since, a
gentleman who had lately come into Centre
county inquired of resident of long standing :
whether it was true, as represented in the county
newspapers, that the candidates for the various
county offices are mostly men of villainous char
acter. “Oh, no,” was the reply, “they are
generally good upright citizens, esteemed as such
in their neighborhood, and some of them have
already filled places of public trust faithfully and
efficiently. No consideration can be given to
what party newspapers say at election times ;
their course in such matters is only a part of the
political game that must'be played at each elec
tion season.” Another gentleman of intelli
gence, active in local political affairs, discussing
this subject, within a day or two said: “I give no
heed to such newspaper statements; indeed I
scarcely open the county papers which come into
my house.” The misfortune is, that the evil
does not end with elections, and the newspaper
“as the poor man’s University,” comes to his
door throughout the year with its* teachings dis
torted by misrepresentation of facts, and unwar
ranted conclusions respecting the most important
political and social questions of the day. And
thus instead of being a safe guide it is misleading
and delusive.
If we could find out the number of patrons
of these papers who rarely read them, the showing
THE FREE LANCE.
would probably not be complimentary to the edi
tors. It is clear that many newspaper writers
under estimate the intelligence of their readers.
They need to learn that many of their subscribers
whom they seek to instruct, have a more level
headed estimate of affairs and men, than the par
tial and distorded one, served up to them every
week in the party organ. The editors, who, to day
shall have the courage to present the truth on all
party questions regardless of where it may strike,
would be surprised to find how quick and favora
ble a resppnse to such a course they would get
from the community.
Let them cease the snarling and snappish
criticism which consists in contradicting. and
“giving the lie” to the opposite party, abandon
the policy of misrepresentation, falsification and
defamation, and “advance and dictate” to their
own party with courageous, and if necessary,
angry lips, instead of standing on the cowardly
defensive. *
Many of the great metropolitan dailies have
adopted this course with a steady .increase of
readers and of influence. Stimulated by this
independent journalism, the “independent voters”
have grown in numbers and importance, so that
the time is near, when men will no longer be
maligned because they will not’ suffer themselves
to be counted, numbered, and ticketed as servile
partisans by political manipulators, and the sijly
boast that, “I have never scratched a name on my
party ticket” will be a reproach, indicating narrow
and ignorant partisanship, rather than intelligent,
loyal and patriotic citszenship.
* * Agar said, “Give me neither poverty nor
riches ;” and this will ever be the prayer of the
wise. Our incomes should be like our shoes ; if
too small, they will gall and pinch us ; but if too
large they will cause us to stumble and to trip.
Wealth, after all, is a relative thing, since he that
has little and wants less is richer than he that has
much and wants more. True contentment de
pends not upon what we have; a tub was large
enough for Diogenes, but a world was too little
for Alexander. ■
W. W. H