The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-28

If those who so frequently and fiercey accuse
the press of nsrepresenting mems acts and I'M
nupning their motives would look into the matter
n little more closely, we think they would be puz-
lied to determine whether it errs most in this or
IN the opposite extreme. 1t seems 10 US that the
press of this country at least is far lavish of
encomiums than of censures. As few people con-
slider it fault to praise individuals oyermuch, the
laudatory comments of public journals pass, for
the most part unheeded, though every disparaging
remark they may have occasion to record is sure
to be remembered by somebody. But if we may
be allowed to set off the panegyrics of the press
against its severcr structures, it will probably be
found that the former far outnumber and out
weigh the latter. The habit of bestowing indis-
criminate and unmeried applause upon every
thing and everybody, is one by which journalists
are especially distinguished. Few of them deem
any epithets too extravagant to be applied to any
one whose character or conduct may be deserving
of appreciation. The ticket-agent who has been
civil to them on an excursion generally comes in
for his share of adulation well the statesman
who has done the country an essential service.
When any occurrence of peculiar or exciting in
terest is spoken off, all the eulogstic terms at the
writer's command are usually exhausted to de-
scribe the conduct of half the men, women and
children connected with the transaction. No other
country in the world if the Judgment of our own
papers be accepted on these points, can boast so
many learned divines, profound statesmen eloquent
orators, gallant officers and attentive landlords
All our public functionaries are faithful and able,
from Presidents down to Captains ofmud machines;
and in private life every individual is gentleman
ely, - no matter what may be his station, or con-
ditiOn, his manners, or requirements. Surely no
charge can be more unfounded than the accuse.
ton that the Press is habitually prone to under
value mems characters. The very reverse of this
is the case and its readiness to pander TO petty
Vanities or popular passions has been far more
hurtful to society than the censorious criticisms
for which it is so often condemned. Mediocrity is
nowadays pulled into undeserved importance
folly is acknowledgements encouraged, and
knavery, if not pardoned is treated as being at the
worst, veniaI fault. We might, if we chose, illus
trate these observations by such extracts from any
leading New York Journal as would prove their JUS
tice. Within a brief period we have read the most
complimentary notices Of knaves and ruffians of
every grade. A postmaster commits heavy
defacation and flies the country, and the papers
dilate upon his generosity, and manliness and
honor, until we really begin to wonder whether
he has committed criminal act or is only, as
these journalists insist unfortunate victim,
who has been brought into trouble through the
negligence Of the Department in not watching him
more closely. A pugilst returns from abroad, and,
in the fusome descriptions of his reception by his
''brother pugs," his courage, bis modesty, and
his intelligence are held up to the admiration or
imitation of mankind. An ex-Councilman, who
once represented the Five Points tries to shoot
an Alderman in the Park and more than one
journal calls attention to the fact that, though
drought up in a hard school," the would-be |
assassin had retained sufficient decacy and sens-
tiveness of feeling to avenge, by murder, an insult
to a female relative. But it is needless to null
tiply examples to show how continually the press |
indulges in ill-timed eulogy, and of what unfor-
tunate results this practice may be productive.
These facts must be apparent to all who are in the
least degree familiar with newspaper literature,
and if those who so frequently rebuke journalists
for the freedom of their censures, would under
take rather TO criticse and correct faults of
different description, the press and the public
would both be thereby the gamers.