True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-04-22

THE EDITORIAL PRoFEssIoN.-It
would be difficult 10 express an appeal
for the true dignity Of the Press more for
chile and truthful than the following from
the New Orleans Picayune
The bloody tragedy recently enacted in
Richmond, Va, in which a distinguished
editor of the political press came to an I'M
timely and barbarous death at the hands
of another of the profession, the ruthless
and murderouS character of the meeting,
the savage and inhuman preparations for
the butchery, are meet objects for Salutary
reflection. How wat enmitV sowed be-
tween the combatants? is the first question
that suggests itself upon knowledge OF
the facts of that sanguinary scene. The
answer is: they were editors ofnewSpaperS
engaged on opposite sides of the political
discussions thut have engrossed public at
tentior for years back. And do political
differences indeed necessarily involve per-
sonal enmilieS? 1t would seem that many
so think; for the fact that they were edi-
tors of political journals satisfactorily ac-
counts TO the multitude for The most i'm
pIacable hatred and their direct conse-
quences
What is there in the nature Of editorial
coniroversalIsm that should distinguish it
from other forms Of disputationl What to
impart ia il deadlier cast? Are the to-
pics discussed below the dignity IRRATIONAL
solution? Is the press unfit for the loltier
processes of reason! or are the public inca.
pablo of approaching an argument that is
not spangIed with the gems of billings
gate. Surely no one will answer any of
these questions in the affirmative, and yet
that two political editors should fall TO Kill
ling one another is regarded as a contin-
gency within the natural tendency ofther
vocation. There is no reason for this In
philosophy.
The province of an editoriS TO enlighten
and direct public reason. In the wide
range of human effort, there is not a no
bier or more responsible ambition than 4
this. The theory Of his profession should /
impart dignity TO the character of a jour /
nnlIst, and inspire that selfrespect that
wins the esteem ofothers. The acknow-
lodged power of the press ought TO be a
guaranty against its perversion. Through
il the mind of the nation is supplied with
US uuil1 IluDtllNiil. ullu AiIN1 WIZ plNolut I
over the channels Of intelligence should
guard them from corrupting and unwhole-
some ingredients. The conductors Of the
press, from the nature Of their duties and
the strength of their position. ought TO be
at the head Of professional society. TO
them the politician is indebted for his re-
nown, the lawyer for his fame, the Physi-
clan for his celebrity, and the divine for
his distinction. In establishing The repu-
Iaticn Of others, why do they forget TO care
for their ownl
They are the head and front Of all good
works. The orphan finds them ever rca-
iy friends: they uphold and support every
enterprise designed 10 meiorate the eondi-
lion ofthe poor, provide for the comfort Of
he sick, administer 10 the well being Of
he stranger, or protect the unfortunate,
he blind, the manned, and the stricken Of
Sod. Inexcrcising the most dsinterestcd
md constant charity towards all mankind, /
Why have they none for one anotherl