Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-01-21
CONGREssmEN AND EDITORS.

The necessity, brought about by the structures
Of the press, for an authorized investigation into
the alleged frauds and corruptiOns in Congress,
has created quite sensation with certain class
Of members Of that body, who conceive, and very
wisely perhaps, that corruption, when charged,
however general, is always personal to themselves
The result has been an indiscrimiuste assault on
editors and newspapers in general. Editors, all
at once, have shriveled up into very diminutive
proportions, and their editorial illusions have be-
come unworthy of being dignifed with the wiseO
consideration of these modern SOlons Ql) The
worst charge that could be preferred sgainst the
press is that it is too often degraded to the small
and dirty purpose Of making "great men" out of
su CD personages as these, and helping them to dis
tinctien that their own mediocrity Of talent and
fimsy regulations would never, unaided, enable
EN- to attain. If all the members of Congress
were to die to-day who owe their political existence
to the newspaper press, we question whether there
would be quorum left tomorrow. The siliest
and most shaiIow-pated Of these are the very fel-
lows who, forgetting the suggestive faole of the
frog that JursteI in the vain enleavor to swell it
self to the proportions of 50 ox-are now amusing
tie world with their puerile criticisms upon the
press. We imagine they will find themselves, be-
fore advancing many steps, in the amusing condi-
ton Of the cripple who got too proud for his
crutch.
"Partiz1n editors" said Mr.. A. K. Marshall, of
Kentucky, "are influenced aad controlled by po-
stions and interests, which do not control men in
other pursuits" We regret that the gentleman
did not illustrate the difference We are sure no
one will ever discover it until he does The weak
ness and imperfectons of the editorial corps, are
lust such as are common to men in all professions
They claim for themselves no exemption from the
frailtes of human nature by reason of their Office.
The vocation does not change the nature of the
man. If he was corrupt before he became al edi-
tor he is likely to be so aiter;-but if an honest
man when he beolme such, the calling will not
change him.
La consideration Of tie great AID uneqlal5d in
d1enoe that editors exert on the varied interests Of
society lis moral social and political conditiou-it
is sadly to beIesreted that newspapers, like polit
cal station, are tOo frequently thrown sadsr the
contrOlof boobies jsckanaPes and tricksers, whose
greatest bLuUlLl0l IS 20 serve Lnem5SVesy AnJB II
needs be, at tie expense Of the public.
Tae press has beel properly hkened to a ever
that moves the world, but its power is frequently
directed to improper ends. Hence the magnitude
Of the offence of brd men who seek lis control.
It needs its Censor and has it in the great popular
opinion Of the country, sometimes wrong, but
generally correct The errors AMI evils Of the
press, whR.lVsr they may be, have no conceslment
and invite the criticism Of the world Net 80
with these that batten upon the body polite At
Washington, who with concealed hand sunk
deep into the Treasury, have an open one "a sed in
piOus warning against the corruptions of every
body else. It is such men as these, VINO are so u
willing to dignity the press with their notice, and
who charge that editors are influenced and COZ
t.oled by positions and interests which do not
control men in other pursuits.
Washington has long been a sink of moral pol
luton, and its very atmosphere contagious. Though
we cannot expect the corruptions of the House to
be much exposed by Committee of its own men,
berz, it will st least bsget a wBtohiulness on the
part Of the public that viii have a salutsry nau-
ence in checking the rapaciOus habits Of the harp
les that coDgregate there.