Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-07-03
For the Tr.weekly Hawk Eye.
To THE EDITOR OF THE TELEGRAPH:


For the Tri.w.ekly Hawk-Eys.
To THE EDITOR OF THE TELEGRAPH:
1t appears by your paper of June 25th that you
are duly installed as ssPatriarch' Of the editorial
corps of Iowa--in place Of James G. Edwards,
who has recently retired from the tripod, claim
inc that honor You are welcome to- this distinc
ton, for your acknowledged ability, - well as
your legitimate claim. As such, you need hard
ly he reminded that your position is lefty one
and full of responsibility. A Patriarch in olden
time was the most upright and honored of his
race In order that you may prove 50, YOU win
pardon an old friend for offering you word of
advice, without any solicitation on your part, and
solely for the purpose of encouraging you to real
ize your destiny and avoid the shoals on which
other patriarchs have been shipwrecked.
To be an Editorial Patriarch is much harder
than to be the father of family-thongh some
are so foolish as to doubt this-but you hare the
talents and energy equal TO any emergency.
In your Patriarchal career, there are many diff
ficulties you must encounter, before you reach
the point of resignation, and turn over your lan-
rels or poppies to another. That yo1 viii real
ize our most sanguine hopes, and retire corered
with years and honors, | am assured. Neverthe-
less, should not have done my duty, IL omit
ted this opportunity to warn you to be honest1
straightforward, and truthful on all occasions.
In the language of the great poet of nature, cor-
ruption wins not more than honesty"
It will be source of pride and heartfelt pleas
ure to you, when you shall lay down your quill
n - NJ - fnot fk,s
peace above ali earthly dignities-a still and qui-
| ct conscience To know ssthat all the ends you
aimed at were your Country's, Gods and
Truths"
To achieve this glorious end, beware cf all
double-dealng and deceatj
Make your whole course consistent with itself,
Be no mans man, and especially be not claw
yer ridden;''
Be fearless, frank and self-relying.
1t is presumption in me to give you advice as
to your private life; but know you viii pardon
a few hints
Be present on all public occasions, and be as
conspicuous as possible, even though you make
no private sacrifices for the public good.
Be uniformly kind and chaFitable-but take
care that, for all your praiseworthy acts-espec-
iallv your charities-you have witness. The
old injunction ::do not your aims before men tn
be seen of them,r is said to be repealed.
If YOU choose to be occasionally little Phari-
saical, and '.thank God that you are not as other
men," it will do no harm--and the unthinking
will. perhaps, concede to you all you claim
But lest you may be discouraged by the sever
ity of nv rules, will indicate how far you may
swerve from them.
II is your good fortune now to be editor OF
neutral-but if in the course of events, you
should become partisan and edit party paper,
strive always, strive ever to merit and receive 10
vors from your opponents. Your own party VIII
take care of itself. without you, and III II docs
YOU will get the credit; if il does not, you may
get .he more favors from your opponents.
To succeed you should not pay so much regard
to principles as men.
This world is controlled by nlsn, and men IN
power can do you much good, il they cannot do
YOU harm. Always court the rising sun-and Vt,
to do this, you must for time cut your party
ties, you can at any time come back by makInsa
confession and backing out. To all appearance
be every mans friend; but in your friendships be
not too sincere IL YOU have a desire TO wreaA
your vengeance upon any one--do 1t by 'nslnna-
tion--not calling him by name.
If there be nothing in his public career worthy
of comment--attack, by IHiendo, MS Pe"a'e
character. In matters of breeding be not TOO
nice DO not fear TO mention names OF private
individuals or private matters in your paper. ~
Won offend individuals, the appetite TOR scandal
will be rratifed. Yon should make nsTsP1Perj
therefore. state as facts, every rumor Won hear,
Aft hPhInd
an unknown informant.
Flatter individuals always-anf IL tne ehahseS
of men and things makes il necessary To eastlgats
them after-rive them '.Hail Columbia" Tor no
one will be likely To remember "haf Foa nave
written before.
Don't be too explicit or too fully committed
on anv question; always leave chance TO back
out
In regard TO Free Soil you should have no opIn-
ion. II is dangerous ground 10 tread upon. Tell
the truth if lust as convenient, or all occasions
The above 2recepts Worthy Patriarch. III fol-
lowed bv Won, will secure an honorable exit from
the important position which you now occupy
but if YOU find YOU to fail and must retire in
disgrace. turn upon all your friends-ah those
who have supported and sustained yoa, especial
" the leaders, and give them round or fwo
Of vituperation and abuse; for they will De nov
likely to know and expose your btnnaeFS snA -.
will YOU have one dav the start or theH'. iaxs
| care however. to make no speclhcahoh=t am
| call no names Wishing won all glory Eha SUE
| cess. Nf'''' '''+@'