New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-18

The Hon. Mr. Winter Davis, a Know-Nothing
member of Congress from the City of Baltimore,
spoke very coutemptuously of the Press the other
day. Considering the fact that one of Mr.. Davs's
earlier productions-a gaseous sort of book on the
characterization of politcs-met with rather
harsh usage from the newspapers, we do not much
wonder he should have taken up violent disgust
for the profession. Besides, we have vague
recollection that a gentleman employed at Wash
ineton BY some one of our contemporaries cut a
rather amcntable figure last Winter while under
Mr.. Dayis's excrucating examination before the
Investigating Committee. But this seems to afford
no reason for his cOndenning the whole profession.
A little reflection ought to have taught such a
clever young man the wisdom of mOderatiDg his
language when speaking of a body of men SO lntlu-
ential as that of the Press.
We have no doubt that Mr.. Davis las by this
time, even, reprOyed himself for his inconsderate
remarks. We have no doubt he has already been
smartly castigated by the gentlemen of the press,
for this hasty and ilI-considered explosion of feel
ing. We regret it, not ON our own, but Nj. Da-
yiss account. He is a young and rising man, for
whose talent We have long had considerable respect,
OF humble origin himself, lie has yet, under great
epbarrassments, been able 10 form highly respect
able social connections, and has, We believe, thus
far both in his legal and political relations, deport
ed bimselfas man Of character. As an orator,
his elocution is excellent, and the substance of his
speeches are usually compact and well digested.
But he has faults which he must mend, if he
would not throw away his opportunities. In the
first place be is too apt to take things in a
personal way. Like all Over-sensitye men, he
is tortured by being attacked He gets easily to
believe that nobody before was ever illuminated.
We do not know that lie has had any special griey-
ance since the days of his " Orumzd and Hartman, "
but we dare say some malgn dog who wields pen
has been glbing him till he has become furious at
all the men who write for newspapers. Mr.. Davis
must learn a more equable philosophy if he
would consult either his peace of mind his future
reputation. 1t will never do for him to become a
scold. There have always been men in public life
who believe religiously that they the victims of
dabolical persecution the part of the journals
of the day. Sometimes this feeling amounts al
most TO monomania. Now such persons would
do well TO reflect that after all only the actual truth
will stand III the end. Perhaps the atmosphere of
camny is hard to breathe, but true merit will not
allow itself to be sufocated or even much disturbed
Let Mr.. Winter Davis, then, cultivate the arts that
lead to tranquility of soul. Let him cease to be
eager, and avoid becoming morbid. Above all let
him beware of being spoiled by fattery, which is
his present danger lie VII also do well to cher.
ish the spirit of humility and put away the airs of
selfsuficency and hauteur so unbecoming to his
position and talents, and which are the ruin of 50
many aspiring young men. We have now given Mr..
Davis our advice and lie may 20.