New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-26
ROCKS AND JOURNALISM.


H.h,rs Circular in its structures upon the press,
we have hitherto felt no disposition to consider at
much length the general principles at issue.
With deep sense of the Injustice Of
the insiSuasioEs with which we had been Sc
cretly ard openly assailed, we fastened ID meet
our adverssries on the arena OF public conflict
1t is with equal slscrity that we :ept tue white
heg which is unfurled in the last numbsr Of that
paper. Though not shrinking from manly war
fare in Gel; fense, our preferences are for peace
We are, accordingly in position now to consider
in some detail the merits of the question which
could i'll demand hearing during the din o. battle
II must be confessed 10 the outset, that there is
q certain inevitable antigonism between publishers
and journalists, in the aspects under which book
is presented TO their notice. Every great object
in nature has twofold relation, that of msteria'
utility and that of spiritual use. book forms
no exception to this universal rule. 1t possesses
a commercial value, and an intellectual attraction.
1t may be regarded as means Of gain, or sn ex-
preston of genius 1t may be clsssed With the
products of manufacturing industry or Of spiritual
power. To ore person it presents the material
for business enterprise; to another it is the food
and stimulus aud delight of the soul With tie
potent influence of modern machinery, books hold
high and important place among other mechan-
zeal productions At the same time they retain
their ancient rank as the ministers Of truth, and
beauty and goodness. To the publisher consid-
cred merely as publisher books fall under the for
mer category to the mass of readers and to the
journalist as the representative of their nerssts,
they belong to the latter class. The publisher
naturally desires such notice of book as may
bring it before the public attention and promote
its sale. His relation to it is of a pecunlsrS ma
ture. and he inyokes the aid of journalism as
matter of busisess. The reviewer, On the con
trary. has no interest in the commercial relations
of a book. He considers it from the authors
point of view not from that Of the publisher. His
education, his habits bis tastes, his sympatbies, all
impel him to fix his attention on book as work
of literary art rather than means OF pecunlsry
ran-as q revelation of the intellect OF the
author, rather than an item in the inventory Of
the publisher. The controversy which has
lately arisen between the publishers and the press
has imperceptibly grown out of this natural an
tsponism. We do not regret that it has been
brought to crisis, and henceforth with no extra
ordinary outlay of good feeling and good sense,
both parties may sustain more frank and friendly
relation with each other than ever before.
1t may now be asked what can the daily press
accomplish in regard to literary criticism Evil
IDENTIFY nothing for the dire,t advancement
of the interests of the publishers. From the
necessity of devotng its columns mainly to current
intelligence and political and general discussion, it
cannot bring all their publications before the notice
of tie world. Indeed complete record of the
literature of the day becomes constantly more
and M ore impossible. we must, then connno
our notices to limited nunber of works. We
canno. even find space in our pages for all
books Of acknowledged value and importance.
No quarterly review, no monthly magazine can
do this, much less a daily paper, which is
bound to reproduce the feetng panorama Of the
times, and can give only small spacs to so per-
manent an interest as literature. The selection
must be determined solely by our Judgment in
view of the general purposes of our journal
and the wants of our readers Phe prin,i of
the division Of labor is applicable in thi, case as ia
oil others. Each journal will give prominence to
such books and such subjects as are more particl
larry in its line. Thus it would be presumed that
THE TRIBUNE, as general rule, would be more
diffuse on works relating to progressive ideas
aad popular reforms; that The Courier s. Enquirer
would indulge more freely in criticism of elegant
literature while works OF theology would receive
particular attention from The Evangelist and The
Independent In this presumption, few readers of
either journal alluded TO have been disappointed.
Another question of less Importance to pub
lisbers than to the literary profession demands
moments attention. Should literary man, whose
occupE4sn is journalism, sustain no prOfes-
sonal relations with publishers through fear of
receiving an improper bias in his immediate func-
ton as journalist Ca this question we have
no wish to dogmatize, ard are glad that it has
been opened to public discussion In conducting
TIE TRIBUNE, We settled it for ourselves years
ago; but in all its ariDgs, relations, aud conse-
quences it has certsinly not received the general
attention which it deserves Every professional
writer, in this city especially, is somewhat
vitality interested in it's correct solution. II is no.
amatter ofindydusl or private cor ceru, but affects
the whole literary guild who depend for support
on the productions Of their pen.
1t is an old complaint that literature is poor
Fay. While it involves the exercise Of intellectual
faculties not inferior to those demanded to gain
emnence in either OF the learned professions, the
labor which lie thus bestowed usually finds com
parstiyely an inadequate aud precaIious remunera-
tcD. A man of letters, with whom his profess
sion ia bis living, is compelled to insat able H.
dustry in order to meet the eyer-recurring wants
of family, however moderate may be its de.