Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1852-08-31
Cllit.chnt.

A social chat with our readers, semi occasion
ally, we imagine, is neither hurtful or unwise.
There are many little joys and griefs incident to
the life Of an editor, the enumeration of which
may prove both entertaining and instructive, And
again, there are many little errors into which some
of you may have fallen, which errors, by a few
plain statements, may be easily removed. All
this need not be made a public matter. We pro-
pose, therefore, to give a series of private, cur
tain lectures, or, if that lame calls up unpleas-
ant "reminiscences, you may call them by some
more pleasant title, such as Household Words, or
Evening Conversations. We don't much care
what You call them, so that you read them, profit
by them, and keep the information contained
therein profoundly secret.
Our present discourse shall be upon some Of
the absurd notions prevalent among subscribers
generally, in regard to the ~idiocrasy of editors.
Editors are not ubiquitous. 1t is not true that an
editor can be constantly confined to his Office, at
tending 10 his Legitimate business, and at the same
time see, and hear, and know every thing, of ev-
cry kind, important or trifing, which takes place
within fJrty miles of the aforesaid Office. And
yet, every su oscriber expects to find every thing
which transpires, worthy of note, duly chroni-
cled, from week to week; but the idea of COM
municating any thing which he may witness him
self to the editor never enters his head. My dear
friend, it is extremely gratifying to us to publish
any interesting local item-it %gratifies us to pub
lish it, because we know it will please you to
read it; yet we are no more likely to see or hear
any thing new than any one of our subscribers.
Every reader may become an assistant editor.
All that is necessary is that he should take par
%ticular pains to Inform the editor, in person or by
letter, Of every circumstance he may witness, and
every fact he may become the possessor of, which
may be interesting 10 the pub lie, taking care not
to mlsrepresent facts, and also, to give us his own
nane. In this way you can save yourself all the
time and trouble which it would otherwise cost
you to tell all your neighbors the same story, and
to contradict their exaggerations. This latter i'll
ducement is by no means Insignificant, consider
ing the disposition of most persons to magnify and
give additional importance to every thing they
chance to hear. Without a newspaper to tell
precisely the same story all over the country, al
once, to what extent would our credulity be con-
stantly taxed7 Molehillp would speedily become
mountains-in fact, molehills would exist no
where but in our immediate neighborhood. The
truth is, the constant tax upon our c~redulity would
make us all either SuperStitiouS or skeptical.
To preserve the identity of a story; and to null
tiply correct statements, so that each individual
may be equally informed at the same time, is ont
Of the duties Of an editor. To manufacture
story out of the raw material is NOT another-tha
duty belongs to the novelist. The editor shoult
deal in facts only. II our readers, therefore, wisl
to see local items in the paper, let each one be
come an assistant. Should any deaths, marriages
or other misfortunes happen in your neighborhood
send us the particulars.
The Supposition that an editor gains a correc
knowledge Of passing events intuitively, leads no
r only himself, but his readers, into many seriou
blunders. For proof of this assertion, just rea
| in last weeks paper the article about "a Dali
Mail, - written without being in possession of tn
facts, and compare it with the statement in tn
present number. As long as Sou refuse to com
f m~unicate with us, you must expect such blum
ders. We wish you to become more social an
friendly with us; not for any benefit we may de
/ rive from it personally, for VT are, through GU
exchange pa pers and books, constantly enjoyin
the society of the wiseSt men Of the age; but W
: desire it, in order that we may benefit this com
munity. A fact or two, on this subject: Thos
cities, towns, and counties most distinguished fC
l rapid growth and continued prosperity, are MOS
S largely indebted to their newspapers for those ad
7 v~antageS and blessings. It is unnecessary to eli
E TO particular inStAces, though many occur to III
for we consider it fixed fact that in order to in
duce emigration, and a consequent developmer
of resources, you must inform the public, throug
some medium, Of the advantages of your location
G and the wants of your community.
4 This town and county can offer many induce
ments to emigrantS of a good class. We wal
more farmers, gardeners, mechanics, merchant
: and we were about to say lawyers; but perhaI
S they are not in demand. Those who are most fl
: miliar with our resources and wants owe it to IL
y community to make them known. Who will BE-
gin.
: Again: in political matters. We are more ia
It miliar with the politics of Hindostan than Meig
y county. We frequently receive letters asking il
y formation on this subject. We can give non
: save what has been published. One party refuse
} and the other neglects to give us any information
and yet both expect to find something in our co
umns. Gentlemen, we repeat, an editor is n
ubiquitous.
n Of other errors we shall discourse anon.