When The Arizona Republic endorsed a Democrat for president for the first time in the newspaper’s history, some readers who disagreed reacted with outrage, promises of violence and death threats. This week the paper’s president, Mi-Ai Parrish, responded to the threats with an essay that reinforces a newspaper’s commitment to public engagement, community service and democracy. We’re reprinting it here with permission. For a discussion involving the Republic’s editorial board, go online to dailyherald.com or to the Republic’s website, azcentral.com.