Daily gazette and comet. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1856-186?, 1860-08-29
A LEADER ON LEADERS.

out VI tht WWt"s ttshet, W. Which w
reflects sentiments go near akin TO our
own, that we transfer them TO our leading
column Of TO day.
Many editors and readers do not seem
10 think newspaper Is complete, without
what IL termed An editorial leader In each
Issue whether thefs IL any matter Of
predominsting interest in the public mind
or in the mind Of the editor, he lie expected
10 pitch upon some single topic and ex-
haust " aud himself, in an essay, in
which IL is assumed that the matter under
consideration IL the most wonderful and
important Of any estant But more than
this. many suppose that newspaper is
not what its name imports, q vehicle Of
information. given facts for the mental
digestion ~ others but that Il is the place
Of the editor 10 masticate and digest his
facts 80 that his readers need not exercise
either their mental or moral power TO ar
rive nj any conclusions Of their own but
take their intellectual sliment like babes
and sucklings, and drop Of TO sleep with
out thought or care, or any feeling Of in
dividusl responsibility for the conduct Of
public affairs II is often the reprosch Of
parties and communities that they are led
by the nose by few popular journals or
forward and adventurous politicians and
no imputstion is more quickly resented,
whether well or III founded. u IL the
right and duty Of every citizen TO think
for himself. and his right and duty to re-
guire fair and accurate information. that
he may the better Judge.
TITS n base abandonment ~ reason N resign
our tight ~ thought"
"The New York world like most new
beginners expects to improve upon the
world ne II has been. Were ron 20 ask an
old newspaper reader, Of ssy party, for
model journal, IN all that respects sound
aud varied information. eandut, intelli-
genee, dignity, and influence on its read
ers, ten chances 10 one he would point 10
the National lntelligeneet, however DIFF
tering with its peculiar political views. n
has ontliyed, lihe its editors, all eontem-
potaries. The world while admitting
that "The lntelligeneet has made its chief
aim TO furnish tie readers with correct In
formation end sound views" seems 10 re-
gard Il az fault that II railways seemed
quite az willing TO give these IN the pro
productions Of others 90 in the form Of
editorial articles
"With all this intregity, dignity. esndor,
considerstehess, aud generous courtesy, If
the lntelligencer hes failed In any thing II
has been in the meagetness Of its own dis
cussions Of public measures. II has pre-
sumed too much on the mental activity Of
its readers. and on the the intelligent in
terest that II ought IN feel In public uues-
tions. The mass Of men wish u cir news
papers TO think for them. Their powers
Of independent thought are expended on
their business, which enqtosses most Of
their time. and leaves them only sas.ehes
Of leisure TO glance through the columns
Of newspaper.
The intelligeneer. in reply. admits the
fact that there are unfortunately too many
people who wish 10 know what they ought
to think "st come cheaper rate than a la
botieHs reading ofdeeanents aud com par
ison Of views" and who stand in heed Of
Heading articles" TO conduct them by
royal road to the faeiie conclusions Of their
editorial preceptor; and wishes, as well -
may, that some persons were fortunate
enough In taking their ideas at second
hand, 30 have IN all cases competent. feli-
able, and conscientious instructors. Out
own observation does not lead us TO be-
iieve that people in general are willing to
acknowledge this infsllibity on the part
OF editors. We have been quarter of
century on the tripod. but scarcely q day
elspses In which some one does not voiun-
teer To instruct ma IA to the manner in
which we should discharge our duties
just as the New York Journal month
old, and which will probably fail In
year, instruets the Intslligencer. which
has tested the propriety of tie course by -
successful period of half y century. The
lntelligeneef. IA II can well afford, takes
this voluntary advice In good part; and
consoles itself with the reflection that
there Ia large and respectable body Of
citizens who are not addicted to swear in
the words Of any master, and who, having
the requisite leisure and "meutsi activitys
FOR political studies, are accustomed 10 read
with care aud intelligent interest the "pub-
nc documents" and other pages known TO
be essential to the formation Of sound and
deliberate judgements. While It is admit
ted that the opinions Of the editor should
not, indeed. he withheld on any public
question, even though he may have fur
nished all the material necessary for form
ing an intelligent judgement of public af-
fairs. tho lntelligenoer very Pertiaently
says
All writing merely for the sake of writ
ing is impertineut to the function Of
journal which il called to furnish facts and
arguments TO the studious and thoughtful
rather than the superficial "skimmingsn
and impressions designed for those who
have no use for them except for the casual
conversion of the day."
To multiply words without conveying
positive knowledge il TO insult the readers
intelligence, and Mt the same time has for
its inevitable effect TO inspire him with in
difference aud contempt for the pleading
matter" which, from previous and repeat
cd experience, be has found to he little
more than q fiat and idle reflection Of "the
last day's occurrences" eftsn as purpose
less in point Of dignity as they ere ground
less In point of fact. Where q certain
number OF editorial columns" are ap-
pointed to be Allied every day with "origin-
al matter OF some sort upon subjects Of