Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-06-14
PERSONALITIES OF THE PRESS.

NEW roRx coMASRcrAL ADVERTISER,
We extract the subjoined from an editorial in a
recent number of the Newark Daily Advertiser
The sentiments do honor to the wrter and thew
will be responded to by every member OF the edi-
torial fraternity who desires that the language and
style Of gentlemen shall be maintained by the con-
ductors of the pubic press. Any departure from
courteous language, however earnest the contro-
versy, is entirely unnecessary, and only lowers the
person employing il in the estimation of his read
ers, and of all whose good opinion is worth retain
ing. To the editor rightly understanding his posi-
ton, discourtesies of this kind are no provocaon
they may excite his pity, but never his anger; he
may smile at the betrayal of his assaaHt's weak
ness, and, because he may not descend to reply he
will aspire to forget. Offensive personalities would
be confined to very limited class were they al
ways treated with that contempt which is their lust
desert. We commend the opening remarks as an
excellent rule to reduce to practice:
GAS the provocaons and oscillations Of the press they
may certainly be escaped very great extent But to be
successful must undoubtedly overlook the peulance the
vanity, and small criticisms Of opponents. There is much
often to forgive in their uncandid ibera and sometimes
ignorant dishonest criticisms and interpretations your ac-
tons, words and motives But spirit conscious of nte-
tiona rectude with calm reliance its capacities
yet modesy sensible Of their limits and having at all times
present conviction that other knowing and sincere
as he existing in the world caead to disregard per-
haps to smile at this petty artillery Of uneasy ASSISTANTS
Some, very conspicuous themselves wish attract aen-
ton by showing how CALAMITY they dare annoy another Such
do not mean much HARM and very much bame
cause Is we'll known they do any and yet At the
same time they may obtain advantage to themselves
that be effected with any ONE there results
Of course fir mercantile gain by the operation.
These constitute, when noticed, the perpetual bicker-
ings atons, and small maraudng warfare which keep up
continual circulation Of bad blood through great portion
Of the press They result very largely from that enormous
sxaggeaon which distinguishes the literature Of the news
paper Things BY such process though often at bottom
take the character of sehood. The features Of truth
itself unnaturaly bloated diminished as be no
longer recognised and thus matter of fact either UNDER
stated over-saed becomes by its distortion as much
of if the whole were an entire fabrication
The practice of sdueraon confined to drugs or food
or liquors It is applied to news to characters and
Thus becomes of the most prolific of hostility 10
the As actions may be painted in brighter ins
than they Deserve others also susceptible Of darker shades
than would be just As contemporary may be absurdy the
subject Of an apoheos it is evident he may easily and
with little be sent journey the regions oppo
se The press cannot and maintain proper cour
tesy and thorough goodeowshp, till the obligation vera
city is felt and exaggeraton often another for cau
ny, ceases to be ornament Of STYLE