Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-02-09
The Press and the Mobility.


merston had employed Wyckof 80 to make known
through the medium of the French and the United
States PRESS the liberal, and especially The pacific
character of the policy of Her Majestys governmen Mt,
the London Times says
We should not have thought this occurrence wor.
thy of any serious remark but that has been accepted
kind of text for discussion upon the relations be-
tween the government and the English press We
confess sensitive for the dignity of our order
and proud of our vocation. We should no more dream
OF confonnding the limits of public duty and private
courtesy IN our own case or in present pursuits
than we should if employed in State Office or charg
ed with the responsibilities of judicial decision.
What can ii signify to any who devotes his time
and ability to 'journasm, it is called, whether
the door of this that grandee be opened to him or
shut against HIM he mistake lies in exaggerated
| notions OF individual dignity. We know no reason
why the Marquis of Carabbas should give himself any
trouble TO secure the private friendship of political
writer mole than he would in the case of an author
who bad written successful comedy or of an advo.
cate " ho had made good appearance at the bar
The best advice give to the more irritable a.
mong our brethren is 10 have a loftier notion of
themselves and their vocation Let them feel assured
that in this country the home of unring and we'll
directed erergy--there is more honorable calling
followed, no hOnester bread eaten than that of the
man who, without one thought of the pleasure or dis
pleasure OF living man, undeterred nv apprehension
and unalured by greed ambition in all truth and
conscience devotes his mind to the daily discussion
OF puol'c AFFAIRS IN the columns Of the lie dng Ourn-
ais in these islands We may venture to say that we
know as we'll as most men the advantages and draw
backs OF such career.
We can feel as little sympathy with those who are
ready to prostitute the dignity of their calling and
their own se-respect at the feet of great men, as we
DO with the superciousness and Ignorance of the less
enlightened members of The upper classes. Tn those
classes in all Others will be found every variety
OF intellect and character; but we should be much
10 rhn
turally into their society-who had received the edu-
cation and conducted himself with the simple and
unassumlng manners OF English gentleman.
neither cnrryng favor nor churlishly repeng well
intended courtesy--did not meet with such recep~
ton is commonly presumed. On the other hand
1t IS not TO be denied that the very specn ems of
The upper classes, in their relations with the press
are generally those men from whom higher degree
or intelligence, greater experience of mankind, and
a sounder knowledge of the social position of the
country, might have been expected Among the up
per class of England, it has appeared to us from
many ridiculous stories which have come to our
knowledge, who have borne ministerial Office are
precisely those who have most mistaken the charac.
ter OF their "agents in the press" We NAV be Der
nted to say word upon this subject, for certainly
Tor one advenurer who knocks the door Of the For
egn Office, or of any other Office of State, with an
offer OF his precious services ten address themselves
we groan over our recOlecons--to the Office of The
Times In point of fact according to our experience
the genera rule is to endeavor in the first instance
10 secure lucrative engagement here. When that
little scheme tails and some wandering Greek or Rus
sian. or young lrishman just commencing life has
tailed to convince that he carries the Cabinets Of
Europe IN his coat pocket the next move is to try his
smooth tongue in Downing street.
As general rule, we should strongly recommend
ministers OF State and other mghinesses to look with
the graVest suspicion upon any gentleman who tells
blm that tor given sum, he open to him the col
umns OF any newspaper.