Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-17

Z
we'll filled columns Of a Newspaper, gain
ideas, which, maturing as manhood devel-
ops, form the foundation Of careers ending ip
well spent lives.
Such being the influence, which radlates
from the public press, let me briefly eonsid
er some Of the characteristics, or moro pro-
perly, the qualifications which every editor
should possess, in order TO secure for his
journal that wide range Of wholesome inhu-
ence, which it should be his constant aim 70
secure As the opinions of gn editor have q
wider range Of circulation than those Of any
other class Of persons, it is essential that be
should possess a liberal share Of general i'm
formation, and discriminating Judgment
He often collates the current events Of the
day under the familiar caption of" General
intelligence" and if he should not himself
possess that particular qualification indica-
ted by the caption l have quoted, how can
he be expected to fill his columns with mat
ter that will either interest or improve his
readers? A knowedge of the classics is not
Indispensable, but as an essential qualifca-
tion, he should have at least, good horse
sense "a phrase, perhaps, that has more
significance than elegance. He who uses the
scissors, is required to exercise as much
Judgment, as he who wields the pen. Every
editor then should be a well-informed man.
Again, every editor should be honest. You
need not smile, my brethren Of the quill, for
though such a seemingly absurd proposition
may never nave occurred to you, l tell you
of truth, the honesty Of some editors has
been questioned; and that, too, by persons
Of intelligence and moral worth. The fact
that statements which are not true, will find
their way into the columns of the most honf
orably conducted newspapers, through the
oh Al Ia.
news, affords no excuse for knowingly mis-
representing any fact, however important it
may be. An editor who will do that soon
finds his proper level in the estimation
Of all intelligent readers. There are some
men, even in the ministry, who bring re-
preach upon their calling, by acts at vari-
ance with the gospel they pretend to preach,
and repulsive to the true spirit Of Christian
ity. Such ministers seldom tarry long in a
place, for their garb of sanctity fails 70 CON
ceal the cloven foot, which the people readi-
ly recognize as the appendage Of a messsn-
ger accredited from region very different
from that where angels dwell So with dis
honest editors. Their career is brilliant, but
brief. They are in continual 'squabble.' y
Their "cases" excite commiseration. They
soon get short Of ''quoin," and after being
sorely "Pressed" by popular indignation,
and giving sufficient "proof" Of not being
Justified" the sheriff levies on their
"bank," and "chases" them out of town,
with the "deYil's tail" whisking at their
heels. Such is generally 'the end" of dis
honest editors.
Again, every editor should possess the
rare quality Of independence-bac bone, if
you please. The press should not be mere
ly the reflector Of public sentiment--the
enuneiator Of other mems opinions, for they
are so varied and conflicting, that an attempt
to reconcile them would puzzle the most ex-
perienced professor in the science of meta
physics. The editor should have well de-
fined opinions, concerning all questions of
public interest, whether of political, social ,
or moral character. In forming these opin-
ions, he should remember that if he errs,
the minds Of many thousands may be led
into the same error; for with many of his
readers, his opinions is 'the end of the saw."
He should feel a consciousness within his
own breast that he is right; and armed with
this weapon, which, in contest with error is
invincible, he should proclaim his sent-
ments with unhinching zeal, even if the de-
nunciations Of an opposing populace thun-
der in his ear. Such an editor will meet
with many difficulties at the outset, for he
may be one against man
will soon begin to admire his frmness and
bravery, and if they are not converted to
his belief, they Will honor him as an honest
and fearless advocate. I admire an honest,
outspoken, independent, fearless editor; one
who is willing to take counsel from others,
but who can neither be persuaded by the
smiles of friends nor frightened by the com
bined host of his enemies. The influence
Of one journal thus conducted, is greater
than q score of such as pander to whatever
inf rna ha IN, ha ev,ba of
their circulation.
There is, however, a class of " indepen-
dent" editors, whom 1 as heartily condemn.
They are so Independent that they refuse to
take sides on all the great questions Of pub
lie interest. Their motto reads thus "Neu-
trel in Politics and Religion 70 What q
gross absurdity Noman can occupy a neu-
trail position on these important subjects,
without offending, not only the sentiments
of an enlightened public, but the Being who
created him. The position is utterly unten-
able in q moral sense, and an attemps to re-
cOncile it with the spirit Of this progressive
age, would end in hopeless lunacy. Call
me an imbecile, fling the charge of ignorance
in my face, do anything to humble me in
the estimation of my fellow men, but don't,
from respect to common humanity, say that
l am a neutral editor; that shrink from the
discussion Of those great principles which
tend to elevate man, and hide my eowardice
under the himsy shield of neutrality. Such
a position is contrary to the instincts OF
either sex, and involves the question wheth-
er such man is not really Of the-Heute7'
gender.
The press should not only be the chroni-
cler of current events, but it should be the
conservator of public morals. The position
Of the editor gives him an opportunity to
exert an influence on all questions involving
moral duties, which cannot be exercised to
the same extent, by any other person. The
voice Of the orator may awaken the slum-
bering energies of his auditors, and rouse
them to action against an impending evil,
but his influence is measurably bounded by
walls Of brick and stone. The interest dies
away with the excitement Of the moment,
the words lose their power Of enchantment,
and the evil still infuses its deadly poison,
slowly, but with unerring certainty. The
voice CT the press is not thus circumscribed.
Its utterances are heard in every family cir
Gle; and in the quiet of domestic enjoyment,
when the mind is free from exciting infu-
ences, it daily and weekly infuses its lessons
of morality and virtue. If the press was
what it should be, this would be the form in
which human character would be ennobled
| by its influence.
In asserting that the press should be the
oonserYator Of public morals, do not mean
that it should take sides on the various de-
nominational questions which agitate a chris
tian public, for those questions are in no way
! connected with mans moral duties. The
morals which it is the duty of the press tc
defend, are such as form the basis of all good
society, and tend to elevate man in the scale
of humanity. They involve all the personal
rights Of individuals, and oppose vice in
whatever form it may seek to undermine
the social or political fabric,
Newspapers are universal Educators
/ They do not aim to teach science and the
arts, nor to instruct men in the learned pro-
fessions but all the benefits conferred by
science are given to the world through the
medium Of Newspapers. They are indis
| pensable in fitting men for the practical du-
ties OF life, because a we'll conducted News
paper is an encyclopedia of practica
| thoughts, on all subjects pertaining to man.
interest. How important, then, in view o
all these responsibilities, that the editol
should possess intelligence, honesty of pur