Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-01


EDITORIAL COURTESY.
The evils springing from an unlicensed free
dom Of debate, which have brought such shame
upon Congress, upon State Legislatures and
Corporation Councils, and upon the whole
country, are perhaps more strkingly illustrated
among the editorial fraternity than among all
the above mentioned bodies,
The great secret of this bitter violence is
weakness-the incapacity by legitimate fact
and argument to defeat or to crush out an adj
versary.
As general rule it may safely be assumed
that every one would wish to triumph in a con-
test by means most honorable and most praise
wor,hy-.o point out errors in others without at
the same time committing any ourselves which
subject US 10 any just censure.
Weakness wears many aspects frequently
when patient study and attention would enable
one in calm dignity TO refute a statement or an
argument, impatience substitutes the more
convenient aud ready invective, which, while
less convincing, is vastly more irritating.
respectful consideration, and, where the parties
are unacquain,ed, the worst construction of
what is said is adopted, and the worst motives
attributed.
The bar affords the best example of that
mutual courtesy which is due in discussion.
We refer OF course TO that class where talent
and character combine in the same parties.
We see, habitually, counsel of the first emf
nence in daily contest and yet on terms of the
most cordial friendship and perfect decorum.
10 the several legislative bodies, men of emf
nence and Of ability, though inaamed with the
most bitter party feeling, carry on their discus
sions withoutforfeiting the respect ofther oppo-
nents. The triumph OF temper seldom carries
them to the extent of scurrility which never
with them becomes habit.
Many papers in this country are edited by
men destitute Of principle, and who seek to ac-
complish their object entirely regardless of the
means they use. These sometimes provoke
honest editors into violent ebulitions of wrath
a4d generally Of indiscretion, which give to an
anprincipled man new issues, of which he
avails himself to put the other party in the
wrong, ignoring the original issue OF his own
baseness.
Even in these cases cold, calm exposition
Of the inconsistency and dishonesty of the
party exposed, would most certainly secure this
end, and keep the attacking party in an invul.
nerable position.
If editors were personally acquainted, and
in the habits Of social intercourse, there would
be much less liability for violent and bitter
personal reflections.
In New York there Is .press club com
posed Of members attached to the daily papers
OF that city, and once a month they have
dinner, at which they mingle with all the
freedom Of the social circle. There is much
Of wit-much pleasant discussion, playful at
tack and retort. This press club does much
to prevent and TO remove disagreemeuts.
Nearly oil of the important dailies mingle
We have been led into this strain Of remark
by the course Of the Louisville papers. There
is much ability in the press Of that city, and
their papers could be made acceptable all over
the country, but such is the rancorous personal
warfare carried on among them, that the papers
Of Louisville are perhaps the most distasteful
Of any in the country. Their columns are
mainly vehicles Of attack and retort personal.
excluding room for more interesting and gene.
raj information.
If we could have influence with the press Of
that city, it would be to suggest the formation
Of press club in that city, which by bringing
about social intercourse, would do much to
remove mutual misapprehension, and, begetting
personal good feeling and mutual respect,
would restrain the current which now rolls so
turbidly. Their papers would possess far more
interest their editors would feel more peaceful,
and would inspire more pleasure.
What we have said Of Louisville is appica.
bic elsewhere; and wherever this personal
violence 10 manifested, il will be found that
personal intercourse is rare and constrained.
No man can receive respect who withbolds Il
uujustly.
The contest now begun requires OF all parties
the utmost selfpossession to avoid needless
offence, and to advocate, each one, his princi-
pies before the people.
Inc cooling and wholesome draughts OF rea-
son and patriotism should be administered to
people already dangerously inAamed.
--~~~~~
nay We find the following beautiful and
eloquent sentiment in a speech Of Mr.. Bucu.
ASAS, delivered in the House Of Representa-.
tives in 1922. How perfectly has il been ;Ilns