Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper Directory and Historybetween two strongly contending forces, in which conflict the editor so charged waswrongly allied; such and all other similar imputations are wrong in essence, diametricalto good wholesome journalism, and tend to debauch the spirit of higher, finer and moreennobling principles of fair play in journalism."Our actions and thought should lead to the stamping out of unscrupulous competitionby substituting the more modern and humane principle of fraternal co-operation."God Almighty never intended that this or any other nation, this or any other profession,this or any other principle should be dominated by one man. Had He so planned,I [e would not have turned the eye of Moses back to Mount Moab and let Joshua lead thehosts into the Promised Land. He let Mr. Moses climb the mountain and look over intothe Promised Land, and then provided a successor, less dominating, less usurpatory, lesscommanding. Let me liken Moses to some newspaper men who want to be the wholewhip, the whole lock, stock and barrel. Such men and such practices have no place inthe reborn principles of a new and dawning newspaperdom. Let's get along together orget out of the realm of an honored and clean profession."Do not mistake my meaning. Honorable competition is a thing not to be discounted.has its place, even though big business today tends toward centralization. The lawItof competition can be so devoted to the use of original ideas, fairly practiced, that itbecomes a blessing to the profession, rather than a deterrent. Superior service, in keepingwith wholesome practice, is a splendid thing, and counts strongly against a competitor,however ethical he may be. It should be classed as fair play."But getting closer to the point of strengthening co-operation. Isn't it better tohelp one another than it is habitually and bitterly to oppose? Isn't a word of recognition,a word of commendation or an act of kindness expressed in terms of fraternal associationbetter for you than snobbish conduct? Please do not take me as talking to children norto unthinking men and women; yet after all, how damnably childish, many times selfishand arrogant we sometimes become with one another."Let me offer a homely illustration. If perchance, a quack, a doctor, a lecturer, anactor, a politician or a whatnot visits your city or enters your sanctum sanctorum, yougive him the full floodlight of publicity, and that usually free of charge. Let a poorcountry editor visit you, publish a good newspaper in an adjoining city, perform someact of charity or evolve a movement for development, and how much space do yougive him in recognition of such merit? Would not an act of approbation of this gentlemanly,fair, and impartial competitor build up and strengthen your business by showingto the public the man your profession contains?"How many, many scores of times have you sat under the sound of some eminentdivine, listened to the discourse of a popular lecturer, or read in prose, poetry or song,and heard or read references made to the dignity, to the intelligence and high standingof the practitioners of law and medicine and the followers of banking, school teachingand similar professions? Compare these with any references ever made to just plain,common editors. How much 'free publicity' like this does a country editor ever get,let it come from the house of God, the business forum, or the platform? May I askyou why? Are we unworthy as professional journalists, or as individuals, and why?Is our profession recognized as being high or low? If low, why? My answer to thelatter question would be, as viewed by the eye of the public, proper recognition isretarded by a lack of ethical administration, co-operative spirit, humane practices, fraternalrecognition, on our own part."Who is more fortunate in free publicity than the doctor, and he an antagonistof advertising? Who is touted before the world more than his honor, the lawyer? Whoseeks more free publicity than the banker? And yet, who needs more recognition than'ye editor'?335