The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-02-06
The Party Editor.

there is nothing so small and contemplate
As the petty party editor, and yet there is
nothing so great in his own estimation of
himself. lie is vicious, spiteful. cowardly,
mean. Secure in his own obscure Office,
with paste-pot and pen by his side, scissors
in hand, and q pile of exchanges spread be-
fore him, he prepares to do battle, in his
way, against truth, justice and common
honesty, If in his warped and narrow
judgment, they initiate against his
party. He is prepared to dare all things,
assert all things which his party dares as
sert, denies or swears to. His buckler is
reckless assurance, and its thick bosses are
lies. He never originates any thing, is not
capable Of understanding any new policy,
has no forecast Of sagacity, cannot per-
ceive that simple honesty is the only true
policy, never relies upon principle, and can
only see in one who does not belong to his
side an antagonist that is to be attacked
and put down. by any means.
The only height to which he can rise is
that reached by angry boys and pot.valiant
rowdies. He is expert in calling names,
has avocabularyof epithets at his command,
filings dirt with ready hand, distorts, mis-
quotes, and insinuates evil in safe security.
Yet as he seems to be and is, in doing this
ousy congcnial work, he has keen and
ready perception Of new things which
arise, so far AS they are likely to be popu.
lar; and an alacrity in turning from a de.
feated to a triumphant candidate, that has
never been excalled. Still, if he stands
well with his party he is devoted to it, in
his small measure, not from princpl. or
hnl, h,,f f,,. I,
to his lot from tn. party table. Guided bv
th:sc motives Of action, with his truSty al
lies OF pas te-pot and scissors--pOor wretch,
he would be nothing without them in fl!
ing up his paper with useful matter-he is
prepared to DO deeds of dreadful note
against the opposing party. He feels strong
in his editorial "we," and like the ass in
the lions skin, believes that he is trans
formed to something noble by means of it.
But so far from that being the case, he is
like the man who takes the hydro-oxide
gas, which is said to bring out the mean
ness of fone's nature, as well as ones better
qualities If he has any. His great forte in
the editorial way is Misrepresentation, in
>uppressing facts if they go against him. in
violating the language of an opponent, in
interpreting words that arc simply straight
forward, right and proper in their proper
connection, and making them appear to b.
intricate, to cover an atrocious meaning,
and to be wrong and improper in any point
OF view. 1t requires talent to do this, but
It is OF the same nature, only in different
degree, with the instinct which controls a
mischievcu' ape. lie has bid farewell to
honor and manly attributes when he has
consented to be party hack, shaken hands
with and parted from truth, il, indeed, he
ever had an acquaintance with the serene
goddess, and bid adlcu to common fairness.
lie is an anomalyamong m IN, because he con-
Scnts to do dirty and infamous work, to VIZ
tiate his mind and corrupt his soul, with
out any apparent motive, that is sufficient
to account for the degradation into which
he voluntarily plunSes himself.
Journalism is an honorable calling. and
we have no fear that it will be misjudged
by anything these intruderS upon its de-
main may do. The journalist stands in an
honorable position among men, and we
have no fear that the pests we are describ.
ing will be regard as properly representing
him in any just sense. If he is true in his
vocation, he is, in an emphatic sense, the
guide, philosopher and friend" to whom
the public may look for advice, for counsel,
for warning, for instruction, for information
on every point Of public nature. a great
trust is committed to him, which, if he dis
charge it faithfully, VIII crown him with
honor; but which, if he misuse or abuse it,
makes him disgrace and curse. For a
vile press is the enemy of civilization, of
morality, and of progression. That which
is called the license OF the press may be ex-
tended great way and be f,rgiven-even
though it occasionally oversteps the modes
ty of nature and the integrity of truth.
But the licentiousness of the press which
tramples truth under it's feet, which cleyates
bold falsehoOd, pitiul chi ancry, and spite.
ful Misrepresentation, into sacred places in
the columns Of journal, is neither to be
overlooked nor 70. IL en-. The mischief it is
capable Of doing cannot be measured. 1t
lads to domestic brawlS; sets communities
against each other; builds highera and strong
cr the division lines Of partition between
communities that should live in friendly re.
lations; foments strife; sows the seeds of
bitter enmities, and may 60 so Ear as to pre-
cipitate revolutions, bloodsh,d and horrible
excesses. The vicious, and malicious, and
obstinate party editor is the chief promoter,
and upholder Of this RIGHTEOUSNESS. But.
falO Courier.