Cirrus@Austlit

The prospectus for the Seymour Express and Goulburn Valley, Avenel, Craytown, Nagambie, Tallarook and Yea Advertiser states that its tone will be ‘that which should characterise every newspaper. Whilst our motto will be “Justice to all men,” we will extend to those who are guilty of abuse in high places that justice which, in the interests of the general public we intend to serve, will make them writhe and say inwardly “Would we were not guilty of such ill-doings, to be thus exposed to the prying eyes of a discerning public.”

The prospectus continues: ‘The Express will at all times contain not only the news of importance in and around Seymour, but will cater for its subscribers by giving, in a condensed form, the principal items of intelligence – political and social – which can be gleaned from contemporaries; The doings of our local governing bodies shall be closely watched, and the ratepayers kept constantly posted up on matters connected with the expenditure of monies given as it were in trust to representatives.

‘In politics, which may be considered of only secondary importance in a locality like Seymour, we shall ever take an independent stand ... Our motto in politics will be “Measures, not men,” and those who give liberal pledges, and faithfully fulfill them, shall ever command our most earnest support. Religion we will not meddle with, nor, as far as in our power lies permit correspondents so to do – except where flagrant abuses, subversive of the rights of the people of any denomination, maybe shown.’

Source: 'Prospectus of a New Weekly Journal.’ Kilmore Free Press 14 Sep 1871: 3 (Morning ed.)

Sighted: 22 Oct 2013