New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-01
J0URNALIsM-OPFICE.

ard our cotemporaries are much e1er-
cised by the fact Some Of them treat il as the
result Of deep design on the part Of the sa-
gscous Secretary Of State to deprive Us OF our
ablest colaborers; another thinks be intends
thereby to purchase our good viii. A third sag
gests that, where journalists receive appoint
merits, the seniors in the profession should be
chosen. and should be assigned to positions Of
the first rank-that any other course IS dis
parsging to the Press. AL these speeuiatons
are entirely wide of the mark.
The fact that the gentlemen in question have
written for these columns lad probably nothing
whatever to do with their appointment aforesaid.
knowing them TO be able and worthy, We have
a right to presume that they owe their selection
10 that circums. lance; they certainly derived no
aid whatever from us-prObably none from their
past relations to this journal They were not even
appointed as from New-York, but from the States
to which they respectively belong Their sup
port came from those States-nOt at all from
this II is not probable that they would have
Jared q shade better or worse if they had never
peuned line for our columns.
lation of Journalism to office seems fairly opened
By the structures of others, We propose to dis
cues II briefly.
We recognize no claims to Office but those
founded in fitness ard worth. AS a journalist,
then no man is entitled TO public employment;
nor is he debarred fIom it. The fact that man
has won his way to an important position on
leading journal is prina Jaeis evidence that be ia
not fool, and therefore may afford some pre-
sumption that he is qualified for posts of respOn-
sble trust If he has seeR for years intently
engaged in the discussion of great public ques-
fons. he ought to understand them better than
O novice, and be better qualified to deal with
them than lawyer or merchant whose knOwl.
edge of transpiring events is mainly drawn from
the habitual but hasty perusal OF one or two
newspapers If we were asked to name three
Americans who have any tolerabe conception OF the
traditional and ruling policy of Russia, OF Aus
tria, and of Spain respectively, we should be
quite likely to select at least two Of them from
among the writers for our leading journals.
That may not be of any significance in country
where every man who can read supposes himself
qualified for the British Mission, and not half OF
the recent candidates for first.class Embassies
know even the names Of FIVE European Prime
Ministers to-day or what Governments were par
ties TO the last Treaty Of Paris. We presume
there is not another considerable power on earth
which habiually appoints its diplomatic represent
atyes with such serene indifference to their
fitness as does our own. The general principle
OF selection would seem to be that whoever
wantaya- seat in the Cabinet and can't get it,
must d uade a Minister PleniPOtentiaFyi While
he who is disappointed in his aspirations for
fat COlectOrship or POs-Ofice must be coasOled
with the berth of Minister Resident. We esteem
it a happy circumstance that men who hsye not
brains enough even for average Members OF
Congress, much les for Dstrict-AttOrneys, have
hitherto been found to do well enough as Embas.
sadOrs. It is quite possible to carry the Joke
too far; but hitherto Cabinet officer who should
suggest that Minister or Secretary ought to
know something of the country to which be is
to be sent, its policy, its language, and its liter
AZURE, would be laughed at for bis jolly green.
ness
called forth these structures desired any aid from
u.s. snd not been in any manner related TO this
paper, We should have been happy to certify
before their appointment, as now, to their de-
cided ability aad worth. The fact that they
would be charged as somehow or other
TRIBUNE appointment" alone deferred US
from 60 doing THE TRIBUNE wants no appoint
ments, no fayors from the Government, no PEG
siOners quartered upon il. We regard il as
Quite as substantial AID vital an institution as
the Government ihelf with as fair prospect
for longevity, and as adequate ability to pay its
debts and meet its current lgatiOns-which is
net saying a great deal. We do not know why
gentlemen who have contributed to its columns
should therefore be debarred from holding office,
but We protest against any assumption or sus-
pi,ion that the Government is to pay them for
any service required by and rendered to us.
We have hitherto been able to pay our own
way, and hope to do so for some tune hereafter.
Should il ever be tue fortune OF any one con.
eerned in the direction Of these columns to want
or seek office, we trust it will be conferred on
him. il at ALL not because he needs, or desires,
or has earned it, but simply because his ability.
probity, and requirements render him emiaenty
fit for il,