The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-21
LITER AT U r e.


thoughts on such topics as Nuns" Authors,
"Pictures,n Doctors" Preachers" "NsWspa.
psrs,n and the like. They are written in free.
and-easy style so to speak. Page after page
we find nothing which is suggestive of learning.
The author runs on from one subject to another,
from an argument to 6gnre OF speech with that
easy transition which Ia q recommendation TO
such as like desultory reading. or all the con-
tents the essay on wspapers is the best As fair
sample Of the style in which the work is written
we quote paragraph from the portion devoted
to journalism
newspaper would, however, not only yield the
most genuine insight as to public events and the
spirit OF the age but It would also reveal the
most exalted and the lowest traits OF humanity.
The cowardly hireling who Gtabs regulations as
the bravo of the n ddle Ages did hearts-tor
bribe; and the heroic defender OF truth and ad.
vocate OF reform, loyal with his pen to honest
conviction amid the wtles of corruption and the
ignominy of abuse-in a word, the holy cham
pien and the base lampooner are both repre-
sented In this field. 1t is one OF the conditions
of It's freedom that equal rights shall be &C
corded q j; and the wisest men have deemed the
possible evils OF such latitude more than CON-
pensated BY the probable good. Perhaps our
own country affords the best opportunity to
Judge this question:; and here we cannot but
perceive that private judgment continually modi-
fes the influence Of the press. We speak haoitu-
ally Of each newspaper as the organ Of its editor;
and the opinion it advances has precisely as
much weight with intelligent readers as the
individual is entitled to- and no more. The days
when the cabalistic We inspired awe have passed
away; the venom Of scurrilous print, and the
ferocity OF partisan one, only provoke q smile;
newspapers here, instead OF guiding, follow
public opinion; and they have created, by tree
discussion, an independent habit of thought on
the part Of their readers which renders their
influence harmless when not useful. Yet the
abuses OF Journalism were so patent and perni-
cious thirty years ago that Hillhouse thus en-
tered his wise protest against the growing evil:-
Many Of our faults, much OF our danger, are
chargeable to reckless press. No institutions
or principles are spared It's empire handling.
The most sacred maxims of jurisprudence, the
most unblemi-hed public characters, the vital
points Of constitutional policy and safety, are
dragged into discussion and exposed to scorn by
presumptuous scribbers, from end to end OF the
Daton.f Printers originally issued gazettes and
depended upon contributions for discussion OF
public affairs - news whereof they alone fur
nished: gradually arose the editor; and two con-
ditions soon became apparent as essential to his
success--prompt utterance of opinion and con-
slant reannouncem ent and advocacy thereof
Cobbett declared the genius of Journalism to
consist in relterdtion, upon which distinction
witty editor improved by substituting re-
irritation.
GAS a political element, journalism has
entirely CHANGED the position Of statesmen, and
seems destined TO subvert the secret machinery
of diplomacy. These results grow out OF the
enlightenment and circulation OF thought on
national questions induced by their constant
public discussion by the press: their tendency is
to break up monopolles of information, to scat
ter the knowledge OF facts, and openly recognize
great human interests. By condensing the m SITS
of popular feeling into clear and powerful
streams, or shooting them inte luminous crys-
tails, the judgmen the sympathips, and the will
of mankind are gradually modified. Hence, all
who represent the people are acted upon as they
never could have been when authority was less
exposed to criticism, and the means of mutual
understanding and comparison OF ideas among
men less organized and effective 1t has been
Justly observed that no danger can result from
the most seductive leader on public question,
while the same sheet contains full report OF
all the facts relating to it. The pamphlet and
gazette oil Addison's day, and earlier, are now
combined in the newspaper. In great eXigen-
cies, however, the imme liate promulgation of
facts may be a serious national peril; an expert
enced American editor and careful observer OF
the phenomena of the Rebellion thus emphati-
caly testi6es to The possible evil of an enter
prising press:-I believe most strongly now that
this Rebellion would have been subdued ere
this, If, at the outbreak, the Government had
tanned line or a word upon the war question,
except to give the results OF engagements. Our
daily journals have Kept the Confederates
minutely and seasonably informed. The greater
the vigilance and accuracy OF these Journals the
greater their value to the enemy But o more
significant result than this may be found in the
test which the Rebellion has proved, not only
to social and national, but to professional life,
and especially the editorial. How completely
has the prestige OF newspapers as organs OF
opinion faded away before the facts OF the
hour! What poor prophets, reasoners, histori-
cal scholars, pa riots, and men have some OF the
conductors of the press proved! With what dis
trust is it now regarded; and how does public
confidence refuse any nucleus but that of indi
vidual character! The press, therefore, as q
popular organ is unrival1ed. 1t now illustrates
every phase, both Of re orm and conservatism,
every religious doctrine, scientific interest and
social tendency. Take up at random any popu
laI newspaper of the day, and what variety o
subjects and scope OF wisdem it covers, superb
cially indeed, but to the philosophic mind none
the less Significantly; the world is therein pic
tured in miniature-the world of to-day"
One of the spicest articles is the one whicl
treats OF authors. 1t is like pouring cold waite
on the heated brain for any one who is an asp
rant for literary fame to go through what nigh
be bermed the burial service OF rising genius
We quote one Of the touching passages tendn
to consgn the reader to literary gravel
"On one OF our earliest visits to - the illu
sive charm attached to the idea OF femal
author became, indeed, changed to horro
from Which we have never wholly recovered
We were requested TO escort lady to what "
understood was an ordinary social gathering
After entering q rather small and somewhat Oh
scure drawing-room, saluting the hostess an
taking the preferred seat, we were struck wit
the formal arrangement Of the company. The
formed an unbroken row along the walls of tn
room, except at one end, at which stood tabl
surmOunted by an astral lamp; and in an arm
chair beside 1t, In a studied attitude, like on
posed for dasuerreotype sat woman OF ma.
culine proportions, coarse features, and mai
between yellow and red, which fell IN unkemI
masses down each side OF her broad face. Sh
was clad in white muslin OF an antiquate
fashion. We noticed that the guests cast looks
partly of curiosity partly of uneasiness, upo