Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-12-14
EDITORS.

1t may not be generally known, but it
is fact that editors work for living,
just as other people do. One would sup
pose, to hear the abuse lavished on news
paper writers, that they were a species of
monsters, committing all sorts of mischief
for mischief's sake. Editors are public
property. Every loafer in every three
cent GROCERY in town allows his tongue
to run at random about men personally
unknown to him, and who would not know
him for half the worlds treasury. as though
they were intimate acquaintance. A nasty
feeling of envy prompts every thick-headed
upstart to venture his crude opinion upon
the editors, to expatiate on their private
characters, to point out their weakness,
take exceptions to their dress, ridicule their
manners, and lie away their reputation.
All the while these unfortunates are writing
away in corners of printing offices; draw
ing on their brains TO fill their stomachs;
day after day from the years beginning
10 its end, taking their seats at the old
desks, toiling for bread. The mechanic has
his proper time in which to do specified
work, and when it is completed, the critical
eyes of the employer alone can scan it.
But the editor does every thing in haste.
and all that he accomplishes passes under
the cold faut-seeing eyes of the public.
Some men, too magnanimous TO bestow
censure alone, do indeed award praise;
but the mass love TO find fault. 1t does
crafty them to get a chance TO abuse an
editor, and no poor scribbler ever escapes
the venom Of their tongue. Then, because
he happens to be an editor, his private affairs
are legitimate subject for public COM
ment. He happens to have some domestic
troubles-forthwith they are noised abroad.
The old maid, dabbing her hands in the
slop bowl at the tea table, tells the COM
pany all about the sorrows of poor Mrs.
So-and so, without knowing the origin or
the right or wrong of the matter. Or if
the editor possesses taste enough TO dress
with marked plainness, in these days of
empty show, when the human calveS wear
the finest coats, the inquiry is instantly
started, whether Mr.. -is not dlsSi-
pated. What can he do with his money!
1t never occurs to these very curious peo-
pie that the victim of this malicious remark
NAV have some claims on his heart more
powerful than all the haberdashery temp
tations of Broadway-that young sisters
or brothers, or it may be a widowed
mother, look to him in his honest manhood
and do not look in vain. These excellent
ga6JlerS do not allow themselves to sup
pose for a moment that their Immature and
continued backbiting has its origin in a
miserable spirit of envy. Why, an editor
has free admission to all places of public
amusement--occasionally he has seat al
some public spread-oftentimes he gels a
bow from a great man. What fortunate
fellow!-and then, too, he appears in type
his name is at the head of the first column
of paper, or looks down in all the pomP
of capitals, from the top of magazine
article. To the vulgar eyes of ignorance
these are privileges and honors of great
value, and yet their possessor, not valuing
them a fig, would give them all and more
for that obscuriiy which shuts out from
the humble hut of the peasant the Prying
eyes whose revelation set in motion the de-
tracing tongue.-N Y. Sunday Times.