"An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery"

This quote by Joseph Pulitzer speaks with the value of a complimentary press in a democracy. Pulitzer is stressing the requirement for a press that is able, implying proficient and experienced, disinterested, suggesting neutral and objective, and public-spirited, indicating dedicated to the public good. He thinks that such a press can maintain public virtue, which is important for an effective democracy. Without public virtue, popular government is a sham and a mockery, as it is unable to serve the people. Pulitzer is stressing the significance of a totally free press in a democracy, as it is the only method to guarantee that public virtue is preserved.