The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-07-02
miscellaneous.
Editorial ceda Of Eonor.

A short time ago the editors OF Penn
sylvania held Convention for the pur-
pose of taking some action in regard t.
matters pertaining to the welfare OF the
profession. Among other things they ar
rived a. some very rational conclusions il
respect to the conduct which the fraterni.
ty should observe in their professional in
tercourse with each other. The senti
ments Of the Convention in this particu
lar were reduced to form, and are com
prised in the following brief, explicit and
highly admirable code of honor:
Whereas, 1t is the leading purposes Of
this Union to establish such a code for tht
general observance of the members of this
Union as experience shall from time to
time dictate, and as shall cause the press
to become more effective agent in the
promotion of the general welfare of ouI
common country, therefore, we declare
lst. That moderation, fairness and dig
nifty are, at all times, honorable in the ed
itoFial profession.
81. That courtesy, especially to cotem-
poraries, is to be cultivated in the profes-
sion.
Sd. That personalities, which necessari-
ly lead to the degradation of the press,
are to be deprecated.
4ih. That in the conduct Of newspaper
discussions, the rules Of honorable war;
should be observed.
9Th. That the deliberate and wanton
violation of these self evident principles,
and of such additions as may be hereafter
made, shall be deemed sufficient grounds
for censure by the association, and, ii
persevered in, for the expulsion of men,
Der.
It is further declared that "the wanton
violation of this code shall subject the
member so offending to forfeiture of the
usual courtesies Of the pen.
Any one who mas regard for the de.
cencies OF civilized life, will not be in
clined TO underestimate the good sense
and right feeling on the part of the Penn.
sylvanian press as manifested and embed
led in the foregoing regulations.
There is no good reason why the press
everywhere, should not find therein
guide of life, and live up to it without thu
smallest deviation. We believe that
generally, members of the press, with thu
exception of that irresponsible minority
which had the misfortune to be born with
out the instincts of gentlemen and to b,
bred as blackguards, are disposed to &C
knowledge the principles laid down, anC
manifest an INCLINATION to adhere to them
The Pennsylvania Convention have don,
good act in thus putting into an acces
sible shape the principles upon whicl
honorable journalism is ever conducted
1t is hardly 10 be hoped, however, tina
their excellent precepts will effect an,
change in the conduct of that class who
without common sense or ordinary feel
ings of human nature, in their ignorauc
and brutality, are compelled to resort t
personal slang, aud meaningless abuse
in order to keep up the clamor, whic
alone prevents them from sinking into oh
security. They, like Millions Satan, pre-
fer life of shameless notorietv to tn
horrors Of oblivion. Precepts, though a
beautiful as apples of gold in pictures @
silver, would be wasted upon such mon
stroSities.
A Rhode Island member of Congress
complained that, although when at HON
he was accustomed to associate with gen
tlsmen, ye,, when at Washington,
could not avoid coming in contact wit
such individuals rs the people of the dill
f,rent districts elected to represent then
The newspaper editor frequently has
similar cause Of complaint in regard t
those whom the requirements of part
have called into the ranks of the profes
sion. 1t is impossible to touch them with
out being contaminated. A victory owe
them obtained by such villainous weapon
as they use, is more disgraceful than d.
feat. The better way, and the one whic
will commend itself to the judgment {
the public, upon which they are probabl
inflicted ike the vermin of Egypt f
some wise purpose, is to let them fret an
fume through their brief existence as be-
they can. But even allowing them s
much latitude does not satisfy. The
obstreperous jargon must come out. Liz
the note of the obscure batrachian ind
vidual known in common parlance as til
tree toad, their clamor is long and lou,
but Of no particular consequence. and a
tracts no particular attention. The latt,
end of such men, as they will profit ne
ther by advice or admonition, is wor:
than the MISUNDERSTANDING and yer
fying as it is certain to do, the Ara
proverb, which tells us that courses, Lib
chickens, always come home to roost."-
Peoria Transcript.