Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1901 — “YELLOW JOURNALISM.” [ARTICLE]

“YELLOW JOURNALISM.”

Just now, as we are beginning to look back with more composure upon the trsdgedy that has brought the tear to the eye of every American, and has caused the hearts of the whole world to mourn with us, we may read the opinions of unnumbered thousands as to the cause which inspired this black deed, and what precautions should be adopted to prevent a repetition of such monster crimes. It is a great pity, however, that this question cannot be discussed in an American, rather than a partisan, spirit. While our beloved President was a republican, yet that is insignificant in comparison with the fact that he was an American, and it is the latter fact that makes us mourn him, and brings our indignation against Anarchy to the boiling point. The few contemptible republican sheets that are using this time of nat ojal bereavement to villify certain newspapers whose arguments in a political way they have been unable to answer, richly deserve the odium they are bringing upon themselves, fdr every man with a thimbleful of brains knows that these arguments are being promulgated only for political aggrandizement, and that those who thus disgrace American journalism are showing far less respect for our martyred chief than those whom they vainly attempt to bring into disiepute. These barking curs have already recieved some severe rebukes from the leading republican organs of the

country, for the latter realize that such rot as has been unloaded on the public can but work harm to the party’s interests. So long as there are political parties there will be political argument, and the baby talk of such excuses for journalism as the Inter Ocean and a few other imbecile sheets, that “we have a right to criticize democrats, but you have no right to criticize republicans,” is about as much argument as can be expected from them. The principal reason for this weak campaign of vituperation being directed against Mr. Hearst’s papers by certain types of the metpolitan press, and parroted over the country by the little fry who have no opinions of their own except as furnished ready made, seems to be to check, if possible, the evergrowing popularity of the Hearst papers, for it is a fact, admitted by them, that the demand for this “villanious” sheet, exceeds by three times the demand for any of the others. Mr. Hearst publishes a paper that the people want, anil one that is far beyond any attempt that hr.s yet been made in the journalistic line in this country. He is the first man in the metropolitan field lhat has had the courage of his convictions. Differing from the views of the McKinley administration so widely, he did not hesitate to express his opinions, and in the most convincing ways he could devise. In the hour of death, when political controversies sink into insignifigance, not a man of McKinley’s own party deported himself in I a more gentlemanly manner, and the tribute he paid to the dead President in the last sad hour was not equalled by any press in the country. His editorials cut like a I knife, and his answer to his calumniators in a recent issue ought to ' win for him the respect, at least, I of every fair minded man. The death of the President Shushes political disscussion for the time, but it cannot stop it,. I The same questions that occupied I the public mind before his death, 'will find place again. We deplore the the existence of anarchy within our midst, and favor such legislation as will serve to exterminate it. Anarchy, springing from dis- | content; we should strive to i secure such legislation as will , bring contentment and happiness Ito the whole people. When we S discover who is responsible for the I wretched condition that faces ! great numbers of our people, we I will know’ who makes anarchists, and it won’t be Mr. Hearst. * # *