The herald., 1837-01-23
The Editorial rticIc.


I was required to write an editorial article NOW
had about just notion of writing an editorial ar
tcle as Giles Jelte had of .drStOing an inference
when he supposed il could be done with team D !
horses. However, had thrown up my cap, ana
felt it would be cowary 10 stink out OF ne ing' w
out striking blow SO left the office with deter
mnntisn Of not being deferred by the fear OF ridsue
As / proceeded wrapt in thought, l ran against
friend at the corner OF Spruce and Nassau streets be-
fore had perceived him. whats an editorial ar,
cle?" said abruptly. An editorial article! J! SAID
he, starting at the question. Why an editorial ar
tcle s--those things which editors write in their
papers ; sort of-Oh every body knows what an
editorial article is v " Humph" said |, and passed
crossed the Park and sauntered down Broadway,
with my hands my pocket unconscious OF the cold
though had insinctvely chosen the sunny side OF
the way, when heard my name pronounced, and
looking up beheld another Seq%a1n'anoe& & whom mad
along? Why you're taking it coolly as though
it were summer" What's an editorial artiele9" said
absently. Now, my friend had formerly been con-
nected with the press. Whether he had been dis
missed the corps for ncompeency, or had deserted
in disgust know not-cerain it's ne had contracted
mortal hatred to the whole genus An editorial ar
tice said he sourly "nothing can be easier, provl-
ded you have the necessary quail catons to w.t. I'M
pudence and malgnity In England you know, it
consists simply in lavshng the foulest adulatons on
the arstocracy by the one party and by the other IN
slang lohanging the King and the House OF Peers
engage them, they are constrained like wolves IN
famine to prev on each other, witness the columns
of the New Era in their blackguardly and yenomous
abuse of Bennett, of the Herad-who, by the way, is
the only really talented fellow among them. But they
are all alike all alike, arcades omnes !. e., varmnts
all! But surely" he continued, as sudden suspl-
cion seemed to cross his mind, "you don't mediate
-whew," glancing at my threadbare trowsers and
quarter boots q" see how 1t s-my dear fellow, pity
you. Good morning"
Cold cemfort, thought l. as proceeded mais n
mporte, won't be frightened with false fire. Cross
ing to Wall street. 1 encountered gentleman to
whose attention had formerly been recommended.
! saluted him, and he stopped me to inquire If had
obtained any thing to do was sorry to say had
not and then, without any exercise of votlon, the
eternal question clustered out, "pray sir what is an
editorial article? The person addressed was grave
elderly gentleman who would have thought it de-
reelection of dignity to be surprised at any thng-he
ther fore merely elevated his eyebrows as he solemn
ly replied" Sir, conceive an editorial article to be
the expression of an editors personal opinion upon
current events"
felt that this was proper definition, but it rather
increased than diminished my perplexitles. Perhaps
he guessed what was passing in my mind, for in We
ry equivoca manner, he inquired if had any idea of
loning the corps editorial? conscious blush, own
ed TO the soft impeachment" and thinking il would
be as well to state the case to hm without however
entering into particulars. l did so and when had
DONE he dryly remarked: II sir" laying most gra-
ting emphasis on the conjunction; If sir, you think
yourself capable of such undertaking, there can be
no harm In trying It. But you should we9h well the
chances of failure and the rldcale attending it..
"Ths attempt and not the deed, confounds quite"
He smiled einly, pleased probably at the sptncss of
the quotation, which hosght was never more i'm
pertinen ly applied. Iventured modesty to nsinuate
that to be deferred by such fear would betray want
Of moral courage "Words SIR said my pompous men,
tor" most words mere convenient terms, and
what in one case might be dienifed an effort of
moral courage would in another, be Justly stigma
t,sed a. presumption and audacity" But he continued,
"don't let my remarks discourage you, you have ask
ed my advice, and you shall have t-peruse dllgent-
ly the articles all the leading osrnals of the city
as a model upon which to form your STYLE
empl eratia-there's the Herald, James Gordon Ben
nett
al accept the omen" said aloud, and tarning
from nv adviser who was now fairly betrayed into
start of astonishment ran home 10 commit to paper
the ideas to which the events of the morning had gl
ven rise-and this my first attempt at an Edifo-
rial Article.