The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-22
Professional Dignity.

Professional Dignity.
THERE are certain people in every profession
who seem to be called upon to elevate the de-
corum and dignity of whole classes. They are
the self appointed "Turveydrops" of society
who furnish department andnothing else. five
are to believe these marvels, the whole aim
OF life is to assume Sphynx-like rigdity OF
manner, and countenance of bland selfim-
portance, to pass daily among our fellows with
unruffied serenity and suavlty, and we have
arrived as near perfection as mortal may.
Every walk of life presents us with "Dom-
beys," who are simply human icebergs-glit-
tering, but cold. The pulpit holds men who
never get down near enough to human soul
to shoot one ray of sunshine into its gloom.
There be legal gentlemen, who button their
broadcloth over bosoms that never feel touch
OF pity for the unfortunate wretches who have
fallen into their clutches but whose very blood
they are sucking with a vampires ferocity.
Merchants sit comfortably in their caroeted
counting-rooms and contrive, over their
morning paper, scheme to overreaeh rival.
We have heard political orators debate ad
craftsmanship, when, perhaps, they were,
within the last hour, consulting bulles and
bravoes at some neighboring pot-house, and
who have more than been suspected Of having
fingered bribes while in the discharge of their
public duties. In our own profession we have
any quantity OF these thinly lacquered
lespectables. Some days ago we waded
oh Of ot,,H in
New York weekly. which was simply sug-
gestion that the journalistic profession should
endeavor to exalt its position, and assume
more digni1ed and controlling standpoint.
The sentiment is very true one, and will
apply to every other profession or calling.
The world could be much improved, and
would be, if every one in it was to faithfully
do his duty in the sphere where Providence
placed him. But this continual reading of
homilies to editors and reporters is most
emphatic nuisance. If all the articles written
since the world began, on this subject alone,
were gathered, the collection would rival the
| Royal Library in size, and the annual produc-
tions OF our Historical Society in weight.
Every one who has brains enough TO write
| u newspaper w huuW, WlIuOuI
the suggestion, that he should so demean him
self as to bring no dscredit upon the guild.
| We believe that there is as mach talent, re-
spectability, and dignity among the news
paper writers as in any other class or calling
of its numbers in the world, and, therefore,
we regard the whole of this incessant babble
as disguised SANDER upon the entire craft
We are led to believe, from our knowledge
of the facts, that these appeals for dignity are
generally the results of parturition on
the part of the more youthful members
of the guild. Naturally, a young man, fresh
from college, loves to see his name and views
in print, and, consequently, their productions,
though rhetorically fair, are sophomoricaL and
mostly upon topics in which no one takes
any special interest.
All the talking upon the subject that can
be done between this and the end of time will
not advance the profession one particle, if its
members acknowledge their own abasement
and shame, but not by acts attempt to do bet
ter themselves. Dignity is not appurtenan'
to position or place. The coal-heaver may in
his place act as dignifed part as a prince ;
in fact, frequently does do so. Let us believe
with POPE, "Act well your part there all the
honor lies, and the profession will have all the
dignity that is needful to give it character and
standing.