Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-06-23

to pass in review the shifting scenes of the
panorama of the world. to discuss the great
principles that lie at the foundation of the
government, to ponder the acts OF men in
power, and scrutinize the secret springs of
human action. s In the exercise of these
functions he may often come in conflict
with men aspiring to, or already occupy
ing positions of Influence or of power, but
even this should not deter him from the
faithful discharge Of his duty. The path
of the sycophant may be smoother, and
carry one forward over gentle slopes, and
along fowery wales, and by purling streams, 5,
but the path ofindependence is that of hon.
An interesting lesson has been left on
record in a characteristic anecdote of our
great prototype. Benjamin Franklin
"Soon after the establishment of the Penn
sylvania Gazette, in 1929, he found occa-
sion to remark with some degree of free
dom on the public conduct of one or two
persons of high standing in Philadelphia.
This course was -disapproved by some of
his patrons, who sought an opportunity to
convey to him their views of the subject,
and what they represented to be the opin-
ion of his friends. He listened patiently,
and replied by requesting that they, would
favor him with their company at supper,
and bring with them the other gentlemen,
who hal expressed, dissatisfaction. The
time arrived. and the guests assembled.-
He received them cordially. and listened
again to their friendly reproofs of his ed
itorial conduct. AT length supper was an
nounced; but, when the guests had seated
themselves around the table, they were sur
prsed to see nothing before them but two
buildings, made of coarse meal. called sau-
dust puld;ngs in the common phrase, and
stone pitcher filled with water. He help
cd them all, and then applied himself 10 his
own plate, partakipg freely of the repast,
and urging his friends to do the same
They taxed their politeness to the utmost,
but all in vain; their appetites refused ODE
dience to the will. Perceiving their diff
Guilty, Franklin at last arose and said, "My
friends, any one who can subsst upon saw
dust pulling and water, as | can, needs
no mans patronage" 18.f.f-.Il :
An indispensable virtue in the profession
is industry. 1t is the sine qua non Of sue.
cess, and its practice is indicated not. SC
much in the number of columns of loaded
matter weekly or daily dished up for the
readers OF the press, as in the evidences o
thought and Of accuracy they present. IL
other words the quality of labor is the
standard Of value rather than the amount
The peculiar style OF composition is, leas
Of all Of consequence, but conciscncss an,
accuracy are attainable by every one who
undertakes to WELD a pen. And he ha.
little right to assume to dictate opinions tt
the world. who win not take pains to form
opinions of his own, and to fortify then
with the proper array of facts. The lands
man who should take the helm of an ocear
steamer to gui4eit through the perils Of tht
sea, would ngj more out of place thar
he who attclaPUfo mould aud direct tin
popular sentiment, without an inlustriou,
investigation Of the subjects upon which
he treats.
There is no place for drones in the pro
fcssion. Ofwhatcver service they may b
in the economy of nature, 4 is patent t.
every one that they were never designet
to occupy the editorial tripod. Indeed tin
life Of an ciitor is one of continual occu
pation--now pouring over the latest arri
walls, wading through endless columns o
news. scissors in hand, seeking in bye pla
ecs for the juicy and piqnant paragraph
and now committing to paper the reflection
Of his own mind for the elifcation of hi.
rea lers. To do all these things well re
qnires more versatility Of talents, more in
dustry, more profound thought, more
sprightliness, and may add, more integ
rity. than to fill seat in Congress or al
Executive chair And if industrious hab
its best protect us from the paths Of wick
edncss. and best promote gooa actions, thel
should our profession be of all others til,
most virtuous. "
The edit or's life is one Of un emitting
toil--the business Of the week is scarcely
over before that Of the next begins, and er,
the last sheet drops fresh from the press
the inexorable demand for copy is heard
the DOOR His constant round Of duties
leave little time for recreation or repose.-
He is in fact the old gray horse upon tn,
treadmill, liable to BE drawn under by tn,
machinery, and to lose the scent of hi.
provender, If he suffers his energies to flag
and ceases TO keep step to the music. III,
must go if the world stands still. and,
might almost add, he must go or the world
would. indeed cease its revolution.
1t is common but mistaken idea tha
almostany man gifted in chirography pos
ses the capacity and qualifications neccs
sary in an editor. ..Such WAS the mistake
once made by worthy deacon. who had
SO long sat under the droppings of the
sanctuary, that he believed himself com.
p-tent to discharge the sacred duties Of he
pulpit. On announcing his desire to bis
pastor he was kindly graiitied with an op-
portunity for the display Of his talents
TIE congregation assembled, the deacon
assembled the pulpit--the hymn was surg
the prayer was made-all went smoothly,
for these exercises had long been in the
deacon's own line. He arose. opened the
sacred writings, announced his text, look.
ed upon the audience. and essayed to speak
1.-the big drops Of perspiration stood up.
on his forehead. bat no words came to the
relief Of his palsied tongue. AT length
he closed the book and thus broke the Sol
emn esce--s'My brethren, if any man
among you thinks he can prsacb any bet
ter than can Let him come mn herA and