The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-02-09
HOW Editors should write.

this is IL SUBJECT we seldom touch,
being content to pursue the tenor of
journalism as to our mind and judg-
ment seems best, leaving the public
to determine for themselves whether
our efforts deserve appreciation and
encouragement. We find, however,
i'll the Memphis -ioul,uache, some re-
Elections III reference to HE duties Of
! an editor, which We think are near
about right in their general applica-
~ and a portion of Which we copy,
as follows:
Repartee, no matter how keen,
when conveying no imputation or in
suit, is harmless enough; but there
is a vast difference between gentle
manly repartec and a coarse insult,
| which any vulgar rul1ian can make.
and which only such imagine can be
made with impunity. An editor
should not write to please, but rather
to offend the whitened sepulchres Of
society; neither should he consult tile
whims and caprices Of that siclxly
class of effeminate editors, lazy,
lack-a-dalslcal, sentimental fogics,
who despise strong and vital man
hood-detest those sincere vigorous
men of action, who illustrate words
with deeds. and are ever ready to 10
and to die IL a noble effort to make
triumphant and real the cherished
ideal of the patriot and hero. Those
high personal qualities which make
MS love, admire and trust in men be-
long oftener to the rash, impuk,iye
and brave. chan 10 The cautious, IN
triguing time-servcr. The really no.
nest have warm hearts, impetuous
natures, eXcitable emotions; and it is
natural to 4 man who feels IL senti-
ment deeply and sincerely to express
it strongly. Ardent convictions are
always intolerant, and genuine sin
cerlty is blunt in its expressions
Fine writing is the bane of the press
Editors polish periods when they
should be sharpening their blades
and Furnishing their armor. There
is no sap, no vigor, in many of the
Chesteriields of the present day
They are like the weak tree in the
orchard, unable to get along without
the prop or strap. The human heart
should not be approached rs if it
were fort or a citadel full Of de-
structlve guns, not by zig-zag direc-
tlons, not with mere intellectually
and CANDY banners too beautiful to
be blackened with the smoke of bat
tie; but by the cannon-shotte and
all the great park OF artillery. And,
prominent among these, may be re-
cognized wit, satire and ridicule-
weapons that should flash in an in
te!iectual foray as the soldiers epau-
lets upon the battlefield. We have
seen editors whose minds are so agile
and massive that in the discussion of
all questions they assume II gravity
that would do honor to the principal
mourner on Il funeral occasion; ard
who are so dull or lugubriously
solemn that they cannot comprehend
the enormity of joke, and, there
fore, never permit the rigidity of
their features to relax into smile
Wit and wisdom oft1n run together
Soidity may be joined to feasibility
of intellect The editor must not
| necessarily be solemn to be pra ctical
or logical. The stream which wears
the sun-smile on its face may be
deeper than that which is blackened
by a frown. John Randolph insisted
that satire and rilicule were iegiti-
mate weapons in an intellectual com
bat, and even in the discussion of
grave and important subjects, over
whelmed his adversaries by their DO
tcncy. 1t is a truth, however sad,
that ri.licule will more powerfully
affect the human mind than solid
logic. An editor may reason about
the abuses Of society, and the pecca-
dillos of politicians, without making
a single ripple upon the placid waters,
but one sleek pebble thrown from
the salient sling Of Wit, one stroke of
trenchant satire or single volley of
ridicple, will produce turbid waves
upon the still waters. But ridicule
should always seek its legitimate OBJ
lect, folly; and wit should never aim
its shafts at honesty; while satire in
appropriately used is like child
throwing stones at an obelisk. These
weapons should be used as men use
salt, by way of condiment rather
than as an article of diet. If inap-
proprlately used, they are like arrows
shot at the sun, often falling upon
the head that sent them.