Page:History of Journalism in the United States.djvu/278

252 "Deal gently with weak and helpless offenders.

"Before making up judgment take care to understand both sides, and remember there are at least two sides. If you attempt to decide, you are bound to know both.

"Do not say you know when you have only heard.

"Never proceed on mere hearsay. Rumor is only an index to be followed by inquiry.

"Take care to be right. Better be right than quickest with 'the news' which is often false. It is bad to be late, but worse to be wrong.

"Go to first hands and original sources for information; if you cannot, then get as near as you can.

"It is the reporter's office to chronicle events, to collect facts; comments on the facts are reserved for the editor.

"Let the facts and reasoning tell the story rather than rhetorical flourish.

"Don't be too positive. Remember always it is possible you may err.

"All persons have equal rights in the court of conscience, as well as in courts of law.

"Never add fuel to the fire of popular excitement.

"There is nothing more demoralizing in public affairs than habitual disregard of law.

"Uphold the authorities in maintaining public order, rectify wrongs through the law. If the law is defective, better mend it than break it.

"Nearly always there is law enough. It is the failure to enforce it that makes most mischief.

"There is no need, and therefore no excuse, for mob law in American communities.

"Numerous as bad men may be, remember they are but few compared with the millions of the people.