The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-10-03
AN EDITORS WORK.

calling of Editor. We are aware that the members
of the several vocations and employments deem
their duties the most laborious. The lawyer con-
! tends that he works harder than the doctor !;
while the latter prouounces the assertion an ldie
boast. The minister of the Gospel Is connuen'
that he is abundant in labors beyond his brethren
of the learned profession while the seyefai eralss
that drive the plough, smite the Anvil, push 'ho
plane, and all whose occupation develops the mus
cular tissue, scan the idea that men VINO worh
with the brain, are in any measure worthy 10 pe
compared with them. We leave these contestants
for the highest place Of honor among workers 10
contend with one another, white We assert Will
uE5ounded confidence, that the duties devoiin8
upon the Editor OF daily paper, are OF oil manner
OF duties the most exhausting, trying and dlfh-
cult.
We think we can make good this asseftion' anu
if the reader will hear us with mind tree from
bias-hear us with dispassonate and candid
Judgment, we are confident he will be forced 10
admit We have substantiated our claim.
The scissors are indispensable in the making up
of paper. AS well may mason attempt to Dnld
house without trowel, or blacksmith work IN
iron without sledge-hammer, as for al Eoltor 10
get up his sheet without the scissors The extract
ed articles in journal have as much to do with
its character as its leaders. Those extracts, most
Of divers sorts, embracing vast variety of sub
jects, and while comprehending large circuit.
their length must be proportioned to the interest
of the topic discussed. An article may contain
valuable and important information, and yet the
subject may be stale, or but limited number may
feel any interest in it Or it may possess intrinsic
interest but there is some other subject OF greater
interest that should occupy the space
An intelligent judgment must preside over the
selections. The scissors must be under the con-
troll and direction of the mind. A great deal Is
read that must be passed oyer. It is necessary TO
reduce the length Of many items and to add
word by way Of explanation, or protest to many
others. s3
In order to make the scissors do good service,
the Editor must read with care and pains the
large pile of exchanges that every mail brings. He
must see everything in all of them. We do not
say he must read every paragraph but his eye
must take in everything thev contain. He cannot
let the least important lie L. ppened, for even that
stupid sheet may contain an item Of value. He
must open, and run his eye through the columns
of scores of papers every day, with his mind con
centrated on the toilsome work. The attention
must be maintained. He must take care that
nothing of worth is overlooked; that nothing is
repeated that will not bear reproduction that
nothing occupies more space than it deserves.
He cannot afford to edge, to grow Indifferent, to
relax severe attention. When the eye aights on
an acceptable paragraph it must first be read-if
selected it is cut out and set aside. Paper after
paper is gone through, until the attention fags,
the mind is weary The toll has exhausted The
interest felt at the beginning, and it requires an
effort to maiptain attention. But the labor has to
be performed, ard that day after day, from year
in to year out. =
The paragraphs thai appear do not convey an
adcqute idea of the amount OF labor bestowed on
any journal. There is space, but for limited
number of items. The others crowded out by
kilograms, advertisements, communications, and
he who did his utmost to produce an interesting
paper has the modification the next morning to
see dull sheet and pile of returned copy, very
little of which can be turned TO account, lying on
his desk. While the. reader censures the industri-
GUS worker with the scissors for bringing out so
dull sheet, accusing him of stupidity and lazi-
ness, but small portion Of his toilsome labor is
eifectual theother portion goes for nothing.
But though the work that sSwrought with the
scissors is of so toilsome nature, that involved
in the preparation of editorials is even more labo-
rious. A variety of topics, many Of which possess
no interest for the editor have to be touched upon
i'll every issue OF his paper, while some subjects OF
greater Importance must be discoursed upon every
day No matter what the theme Of the leader,
his readers will not look with any deglee OF allow
ance on commonplace material, or lack OF point
and vigor in expression. The editor is always ex-
pected to write &ith clearness, force, and fresh
ness to say something new and striking, or if the
topic is of such nature as to make original views
and ideas impossible, he is at least expected to
present the subject in such form as to give his
views the appearance Of novelty.
When subject is agreeable TO ones taste, when
mind and heart receive it with warm embrace,
composition is both easy and pleasing. But wnen
there is no sympathy between the theme and tho
mind; when mind and heart turn away from it
with aversion or when the body is weary AMI in
disposed, the brain heavy, and tho spirit sluggish
one cannot be required to do harder and more Ia
borious work than to write. 1t is worse than eat
ing without an appetite, or trying to- sleep while
all the powersof themind are in lively operation, or
talking while the htterance Of every word requires
renewed and special effort. But the editor cannot
consult his mind, and is often denied the liberty Of
selecting his subject. He is obliged to write, and
not seldom obliged to write On topic in which he
feels no interest. rs e - -
person of great conceif once attempted to
preach sermon, and failed miserably. On being
laughed at for his failure, he said, "if any one
thinks it easy to preach let him try it," So we
say in regard to the work of editing daily paper
If any one esteems the work easy. let him try it,
and like the would-be-preacher, he will be con-
vnced of his error.