Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper Dikicioky and Historyness warrants the undivided attention in that department of the editor or proprietor,and whose local department shares the same careful industry on the part of at least onelocal writer. In almost every county in Illinois there are papers of this character, andthey are not all confined to the number fortunately located at the 'county seat.' Thereare more people, and they are greater readers than they were thirty years ago, for it isa fact that in addition to the non-partisan village paper, and usually two or more politicalcapers published at the county seat, there are few farmers who do not read one or moreof the great daily papers. This self-evident fact, I take it, leads men to do more of theirown thinking, and may be taken as a hopeful sign of the times in the interest of worthycountry newspapers in the present era."An experience of forty-six years as a newspaper writer, forty years of which timeI have been engaged in conducting a country newspaper, leads me to believe that everynewspaper of the class I have referred to should not only have an opinion on all leadingpublic questions of the day, but in an honest and pleasant way present the reasons forthe positions taken. The interests of the city should be fully mentioned, of course in thelocal department, but the more important features may always be treated with profitin the editorial department, if presented in a kindly spirit. The only exception to thisrule lies in the discussion of some flagrant trespass against the moral or civil codes ofthe state. Even then, it is better to treat the subject demanding public considerationwith a vein of regret or sorrow, than to multiply bitter and oftimes harmful words.During the dark days of the late unpleasantness between the North and the South,I sometimes excused my treatment of matters with the consoling theory that a dangerousdisease needed a heroic remedy, so far as it was in my power to apply. I have changedmy views some concerning such methods of treatment since then; and I want to sayright here that the meetings of the Illinois Press Association, as opportunity has favoredme the privilege of gathering with the brethren from year to year, have had much to dowith affecting this change. As members of this association, we have learned that we candiffer in politics as well as religion, and still be friends—members of one great Americanfamily, having a common interest in union and liberty, one and inseparable, now andforever."So, I am glad that I had something to do with promoting the first meeting andorganization of this worthy and growing Illinois Press Association, in the city of Peoria,on the 22nd day of February, 1866; I am glad that this association has lived to the ageof robust manhood, an honor to every Illinois editor who has stood by it through allthese years, and a credit to its officers who have ever proven faithful and true; I am gladthat this association has been helpful, as I believe it has, to every editor in Illinois; I amglad that it has taught the country editor the important fact that in union there isstrength. Thus, in moving along the lines inspired by this association, I have noticedwith pleasure that the progressive country newspaper always has a live editorial department,as well as a thorough local department; and at least one newsy correspondent ineach township or village in the county. The public interest has come to demand this,and the interest of the paper demands it as well. This costs some money, care andwatchful attention, because correspondents are not always a fixture in the locality whichyou may wish to have them serve. Then, if you find that by omission or commissionany of your staff have been led into erroneous statements, correct them at the firstopportunity, for it is manly to do unto your fellow man as you would have him dounto vou. The editorial profession calls for strict integrity, a high degree of charity,and the best type of American manhood, and, if we have the acquirements necessary forthe proper discharge of the high duties involved, we may in this direction hope for139