New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-23
PROPORTIONAL AMENITIES.

lUltIlOtdAiDE tnt iilSt titsutVu WI iiithipN' w
their guild to the arduous and honorable post he
SO worthily fills, marks, We trust, new era in
the history of American journalism. Among
those who participated were gentlemen differing
widely as may be from Mr.. Coliax in political
views, with several who are his seniors in years
and in editorial experience, while his equals in
political position, yet who warmly united III
honoring the choice which has called al Editor
who is scarcely yet beyond the prime OF life to
discharge the responsibilities Of al Office hardly
second in power and dignity to any but that Of
President of the United States.
Mr.. Coliax has Won his elevation by years Of
industry, energy, and suayty. native OF our
city, he commenced responsible life with few
advantages which are not within reach Of any
graduate of our Common Schools. He ia not
even printer by trade. but was educated to
mercantile life. which he only quilted to assume
the responsibilities of a country editor. He
was frat chosen ~ represent hls county IN The
Convention which framed the present Consttn-
ton Of Indiana and, when first candidate for
Congress, in 1851, was beaten by 1855 TO ., liz
votes. He was not candidate At tho next
elections; but he ran again in 1854 and was
chosen, and has been reelected at each subse-
quent choice of Representatives IN Congress by
majoriies steadily increased till last year, when
the general depression Of the Unconditional
Unionists and Sle absence of many thousands
Of his past constituents and warmest supporters
in the Union armies very nearly defeated him.
Though Bis competitor in the preceding can
yass, when Mr.. Coliar had 3, i02 majority,
now stumped the District by his side and as hs
ardent supporter, be was reelected by 1873 to
to li,5l6-barcly - majority IN poll Of
nearly 10000 yotcs-conldcnbly the largest
vote cast in any district Of the State. We pray
that some Copperhead may run against him
after the soldiers get homc-just oneel
But We are wandering from our subject.
Why is it that Editors should so oilcn choose
20 discuss each oihcrl Gould a TOPIC bo chosen
less calculated Ia interest or eddy the public
Lawyers are professional gladiator; yet very
rarely, and mainly In the lower walks Of The pre-
fession, do they dsfgure thor pleas by abuse
Of each other Why should that be- common In
our profession which Ii deemed neither common
nor proper in any other nor in ours in any
country but this'
We believe this city 10 maintain an unenyi-
able prominence in the matter If editorial dis
courtesies, and this mainly through the malign
influence of single notorious journal, which
4. ., 10 E.a, nuaf al
than read and more read than respected.
II its conductor had been an Ishmaelite with
the brand Of Cain on his brow. excluded from
society by by his evil doing and Ill-repu'c, and
seeking 70 revenge himself by dragging this en-
tire editorial fraternity down a. his own hated
level, he could hardly have pursued
different path from that he has chosen.
The effect has been baleiul in many ways.
New-York il, in an important sense the Ma
tional Emporium, and 20 sets the fashions for q
continents and, being practically nearer to
Europe than any other american city, the Old
World hears of the New mainly through the
ournals OF this city. And as the leading ga
zcties OF Europe aye conducted by able and
adroit men, who seek To mako Democracy rs
odous to their readers rs possible, II Is Their cue
10 quote largely from the worst exhibitions oi
New-York journalism and spanngly as may be
from the better. Hence very general and
natural impression among educated Europeans
that American journals are usually conducted
by charac,erlcss blackguards, and only fit To be
handled with the tongs. That impression has
done our country immense harm in view of our
great contest.
Whoever imagincs that journalists are essen
TALLY worse or better than other more or less
educated aud able persons is the victim OF u
very gross delusion. There are scainps as well
al ounces among them; but as class they are
neither knaves nor fools. IL IL by no means
certain that the champion of great and good
cause is himself either great or good; and the
Press has its reprobates as the Pulpit has its
hypocritcs; but he who judges either Press or
Pulpit by these has "a narrow understanding, il
not bad heart. Perhaps no other class are
required to do 80 much for purely public ends
AZ the Editors, and we are confident that no
other class do whatever they may for the gen.
eral good more uniformly or more checrfully.
Yet the best Of them are not faultless; while
none among them aspire or affect Z. be that
model of absorbing and unseish devotion to
others good which is tho beau ideal Of all who
have axes to grind and expect them to turn
grndstOne. Each Of them has living 10 make;
usually family TO support; has needs and as
pirations, and is no moro fond of working hard