Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-06-05
Editors Life.

1t is very common thing for editors to
complain of their trials, and the exactIons
of a critical public, and it is equally COM
mon for such complaints to go unnoticed by
that public. That an editors life is one Of
anxiety, perplexity and uprewarded labor,
does not admit of debate. He labors for
large number Of people. whose tastes are
diversified ,and whose estimate Of their own
mpo rtance and the dependent position of
the conductor of public journal, cores
ponds strikingly with their capacity to ad
judge the proper mission of the press. Let
an editorial be written on any subject, with
anything like spirit, and you may certainly
expect some one to raise objectIons.-
1T you write on morals, denouncing bad
habits, &C., you will always find some one,
who, cchoing the tell-tale, voice of his
own conscience, takes the article as per
sonally offensive. If in strain of good
humor, little fun, for the general reader,
perpetrated, some ninny is sure to twist
1t into personal insult If you decry
parties and measures, and hold up tc pub
lie scorn in general terms the nnprincipled
politician, you are sure to tread on the
toes OF some one of whom you never
dreamed. In word, if you aspire to con-
duet an independent journal--to reflect
your own views through the columns cf
our paper, it is expected that your mo-
tives will be questioned, and your ST.;
ments and feelings misrepreser.,e3 s,oh
m. men are to be found in .svery community.
L ne'r sous are zoo small, their mental
's',o"' - contracted, and their courage
Wv slek..y, to appreciate liberal idea
few think that an editor should have no
opinions of his own, and that i, is his bu-
siness to study ossiduously to represent
their own sentiments, because they may
be supporters of his paper. Hence if an ar
tiele appears conflicting with their PIE
conceived opinions on any subject, they
march forthwith to his Office and demand
settlement-thus exhibiting spirit of
persecution as detestable as that which
directed the lnqnisition. But could they
read the thoughts of the fearless editor.
as he promptly drawsa black mark over the
name, they would feel very small. In
stead of intimidaiing or modifying, you
would read determined resolution, to
perseyere in his course, because cause
that depends for support on such spirit
of intolerance, must indeed be detective
And then mans birthright is DO. to be
bought with mess of pottage. The
fearless editor sees not the ends of Justice
and right through silver dollar, and con-
sequently when such means are used to
influence his opinions, he scorns them and
their author. Such men are objects Of
pity, because they rest under.the curse OF
a narrow, contracted soul. They rather
deserve charity than contempt. What
a contrast they present to the man who,
although he differs with you, commends
your independence, and awards you hon.
esty Of purpose, and consequently renews
his interest in your success. He is aware
that the greatest nuisance to any commu-
nifty is a trucking, time serving timid
occupies every side OF ey-
cry question, never having its position so
defined. that you can point it out. And
therefore, though on some subjects he may
honestly differ with the editor, he abates
none Of his zeal for the prosperity Of his
journal. 1t will be a sorry day indeed for
this country when the sentiment of the
press can be moulded by the whims o.
public opinion-when through fear Of the
loss of few dollars, editors refrain from
combating popular decisions, and permit
every species Of fanaticism. that is wor-
shipped by roe populi, to have "free
and run riot over the country,
without being checked by the voice of
reason, and brought to the touchstone Of
common sense.