Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-11-28
Editing a Paper.

To take a chair and 90 out underneath
the shade Of some big tree, or 10 spread
ones self on a good sofa, says the Lu.
theran Observer, and unfold "A newspaper
and begin the work OF reading it, is CON.
paraiveIy work ol ease, but to get OF
that same newspaper is something else.
In the twelve years we have been connec.
ted with an editors office, we have learn
ed several things:
/. 1t is not easy work 10 gel up good
paper.
2. 1t is not easy to please everybody
Here is a man whose predictions are
all in a certain theological line. He
wishes doctrinaI, dogmalic or polemic ar
lcIes, and he don't want anything else.
Here is another man who wants the op.
posile cast of articles, something metcu-
rial, exciting and nerve-shocklng. A pa
per that is not brimiull Of mercury is
worth nothing to him. A :hird persona
lady reader, perhsps-wants poetry, and
a good deal of it, ye! as liule of original
rhyme as may be. A fourth likes a good
deal OF original rhyme, and for the reason
that "young and promising writers ought
10 be encouraged" One reader gets vex-
ed because some prevailing folly is taken
down in a satirical style; another fires up
because there is not more sharpness and
vinegar in the same satire. Your neigh
tor over the way writes piece, and he
thinks it good, and sends il to the Office.
The editor reads and thinks il "hardly
suitable and the writer gels mad, and
wants at once "to quit taking the paper"
That other man there writes his piece
also. He wants TO discuss topic that
nobody but himself is interested in. He
sends his piece. Ii don't come out, and
the editor, in consequence, receives a
shower of saltpetIe and ashes on his head.
So the thing goes. One day an editor
feels happy, the next his happiness had
fled, and he has near approach 10 the
blues.
3. This work Of finding fault is not on.
ly an easy work, but it becomes chronic.
There are some men born to croak. Meet
them where you will. they are full of the
spirit of faul-fnding. This thing is out
of joint, and that one is not in joint this
piece is dull and prosaic, that is too vola-
tile. Mr.. A. is stupid, Mr.. B. writes like
a pedanI or dolt, Mr.. G. knows nothing
about grammar, Mr.. d. had better go TO
school again, Mr.. E. is smart, but is run
ming off the track all the while, and SO on
through The whole alphabet.
4. We have learned that an editor
must DO some things some times for
which he cannot and ought not 10 give a
reason 10 his readers. He has "stand-
point" Of bis own, and he sees things in
a light different from whs: his readers,
any Of them, can view them. He uses
his Judgment. He does the best lie can,
and in so doing, we admit. he crosses the
views of multiludes. There are things
which you blame an editor for doing, and
yet if you were in his position you would
do the same things yourself, and you
would just as likely as not. do them in
manner quite as offensive as he does.
8. We have learned the necessity Of
forbearance and patience. lttakes great
while for man, good man even, to hear
himself called fool, andye be unmoved.
But an editor has 10 come TO this. He
must expect abuse. and he mus, expect to
discipline himself IN receiving il,