The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-05

To cry aloud with Cass-
al hope that dreadful state of things
win never come to pass %
And, ever since that wondrous dream,
I've shuddered at the mention
OF any thing pertaining to
A Woman's Rights convention.
Popular Dslustons about the Duties OF the
Press.
Under the above heading the New Orleans Delta
publishes the following judicious and sensible re-
marks:
'Many persons have a very extensive idea of the
duty of editors. They think that it 10 the chief
function of that much prosecuted fraternity to re.
form all abuses and evils 70 examine into all
complaints and grievances, and to avenge all
wrongs, public or private. general or individual In
fine, in their view, editor should DO Hercules,
to 90 forth. and by his individual exertions abate
all the plaques that affiict mankind As humble
workers in this responsible position, we desire to
disclaim any such view Of our powers and duties
The frequent complaints of particular evils, the
eternal bore to which we are subjected by persons
who are troubled by some particular grievance,
induce US TO define our position and views ON this
question.
every day, often in our editorial Office, and
moro frequently when we trust ourselves on the
streets, we are assaulted by some well-meaning
person with the inquiries, why don't you come
out against that thing, or that person?-why don't
you look into that horrible act Of malfeasance of
public of6cerS-why do you allow that judgment
Gin which the interrogation 10 no doubt party) to
p0oo Dy WlSuOOt COluxOcut VI CCubuEc!-An uuCs WY
don't you give your particular and special atten-
ton to my little grievance in preference to the
thousand othors that may be dinncd in your earsl'
These inquiries are addressed 70 ~ with All lhe
who pays W the very handsome sum OF ten dollars
year or, perhaps, of an advertiscr-and, in that
case, the interrogation IL even moro rigorous:
WE'LL We reply, that seems 70 be pretty hard
Case But is there not another side to tho question:
sOf course not Perhaps 90; but suppose we
launch out against the evil you complain OF, and
through the business Very we'll; we are per-
mitted, then. to make use Of your namo as our au-
thorityf oh no, no. don't wish to get in the
papers. You can examine the matter yourself
We would If we had time, but we have not |; but,
il you will get all the facts in an authentic form,
we will examine them, and, if the matter calls for
comment, we will give it, This, of course, the
complainant has no time to do; and 20 he leaves,
muttering something about the timidity of the
Press, its indifference to public grievances, or ito
general corruption.
"Now, We beg it to be understood that we do not
aspire to be general rcformers. We have not tho
time or power, if had the inclination, to expose
and denounce 1.-THE of the evils that exist in the
world. We like to undertake no more than wc
abusing everybody and every thing, become, after
q while, like THEOLOGY in the fable, who, when tho
wolf really came, cried in vain for help. After all.
there L more Of good than cyl in this world ana
nauscating on the latter. This. however, does not
relieve Of the duty of exposing and denouncing,
from good motives, notorious acts of malfeasance,
wrong doing, or corruption. We say from good
motives; by this wo mean without personal feel
ings-without vituperation and malice.
"There 10 another duty, however, Of public
rosa i not ss.s
ough examination of every subject to be COM
mented on. Edtors must look into all subjects,
especially those relating to individuals, with the
hearing both and giving fair and full showing to
both parties. We are frequently pestsred by Peo.
ple who wish to rush into controversy ON their
statement Of case, but when responsibility 10
incurred, they consider 1t quite proper to keep in
the background.
1.-The position of public reformers is quite seri-
Gus and responsible one Itdemands larger share
ofvirtue, purity, incorruptbilty and wisdom, than
most mon, not even excepting editors, possess. II
too often happens that those who assume this peri
lous and difficult position, the very reverse Of
what the task requires them 70 be. They hope to
atone for their own lack of virtue by the fierce
Of their dcnunciations Of the shortcomings Of
others. but such denunciations usually iinpo-
tent, or only produce snecr at the source whence
NICELY CAuoHr-A Lossrra CARRIED orr sy A
q story Of the manner in which lover Of lobster
made a raise of one of these delicious sholl fish,
The man fond of Holsters was wistfuly and
mouth. watsringiy rsgsrding basket of them in
bystander was sticking the end Of his cane into
ono Of the disengaged claws of big fellow At the
top. SHOW he does hold on!" said tho man with
the cane. eyes," responded tho man with tho
dog; 'sbut it's because he dents the cane, and his
claws won't slip on the wood. But he couldn't
bold on to critter, or you and I. in that way
When he feels any thing giUin', lobster always
stops pinchin'." 81 rather guess not" said the
owner of the Holsters: "you put your dogs tail in
that there claw, and you'll whether he'll hold
on tot or not" No sooner said than done: the lob
sterlovcr lifted up his dog, dropped his tail into
the open claw, which closed instanter, and the dog
yclping and bowling off at the top Of his speed
HalloP' exclaimed the owner Of the basket,
'"whiste back your dog: he's runnin' off withmy
lobster!" whistle back your Iobstu" rejoined
the other; "Aaf dog aint comm back that dog .
in pain! can't git him TO come me when he .
in pain" The humane owner Of the cur dined that
day upon a. hne lobster ~ there was in the
basket. Erchqrgs paper.
DxrIrrrIoN.-"I say, you Pete will you hab
do graciousness N 10 jes open your undcrstandin'
bQx and glib me de definition OBJ de big word BELLE
lstfres?' "Sartin, CAto-I wont do nulfin esc De
fac am, you unlettercd colorcd man, dere be one,
two, free tsrpritashums to dat double and twssif.
Gated word. De fust signumfes dc 'scriptions on
de eight bells At do NorE eend church. ben dare
am de letters dat we fashionable gensl'm sand "a
our ladies. Finally, do bry stable folks, wen deg
lets out dc sleigh bells. am called bell-letters Am
dare any ting else dat can do to snlghten your
dark, thick, an obtuse cocoa nut, de norma
Catof-Bsston Post