The Baltimore County union., 1866-03-10
Making up a Paper.

One of the singular characteristics of
humanity is partial or complete obvious
ness on the part of each individual, as to
those matters about which others are en-
ployed. The butcher has little thought as to
how his cattle are raised and made fat, the
farmer but little thought as to what process
his fat cattle or fine wool are put through
after he has received good price for them.
So Of other trades and callings, except at
rare intervals, each one has enough in mind
to be engaged about his own without specu-
lation or gathering information as to 9TH
ers. It is necessarily so. "A rich juicy,
and tender roast of beef would relish but
lily, if manifested during vivid vision of
the farmers care and the butchers cruelty.
IA newspaper would hardly add to the rel
ish of coffee and roast in the morning, or
give added flavor to the cup that "exhila-
rates but not intoxicates," in the evening
ii. we read with realizing view of the nim-
BILE fingers putting to their places letter af-
ter letter during the hours that others de-
vote to sleep. So of everything else almost.
But we have often thought how univer-
sal the ignorance as to the editors labors in
making up each number of his Journal
Most people never give them thought,
except occasionally to utter some words of
to grumble and complain. There is no
more common idea, than that the selec-
tions are made at random. simply to fill =
space. Hence people volunteer something
to fill up" as though thereby they were
helping. Yet half an editor never selects
an article or an item, except on delibera-
ton and an idea to desired purpose and as
the result of settled plan. True, some-
times when the cry of +" copy" is furious he,
NAV be careless--as who is not? or may
misiudge on the spur of the moment.
What is true of the selections, is true Of =
every line written However hastily and
rapidly the editor may be compelled to
write, all his words are weighed, and all his
articles deliberated upon. Much of his de-
liberation is peculiar, sort of idiosyncrasy
of the real and careful, as can be proved at
any time when the novice takes up the pen
aud runs the machine. A slap dash, raw
hand to set in as localizer, with every item
of news-a fight, horse race, runaway
or mere local mention, would have
whipping threatened getan indignant note,
or offend dozen while he pleased one Z
Even for puff" the words must be chos-
en- and weighed, or the deuce will be to
pay in short order 4..
But we cannot elaborate. 1t strikes uS
tnaC newspaper reauerS Hdfo SOG 10 10
numerous q everybody takes the papers,
that the popular idea in regard to making
up" ought to be exploded shortly. They
are in fact made up much as the Japanese
and Chinese mechanics work in their so to
$50 different pieces of wood into the cover
of a single small box-with infinite care.
Just as we feel like declaring deadly hos
tility to family where we see books put s
to holding up windows, &C., so we feel to- +
wards those who never so much as think
or care what labor, thought, what weary
waiting and watching, what weighing and
estimating, what hopes for general good,
each single paper costs an editor. Yet for
it all of all others, his labors are still in
the main, lightest esteemed, and he is sub
iected to all uncharitableness, never applied
to any other class But as the whilom, un-
fortunate "pedagogue," is being transform
ed in these last days into an honorable
and we'll esteemed worker, taking rank with
recognized professions, SO we except in the
good time coming, when newspaper read
ers know what it cost to make newspa-
per;" even editors will be lifted up in the
popular estimation, and if they are faithful
ones. rant at those who write poor novels
and produce tales of " blood" and thunder,
+" raw heads and bloody bones" for order
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