New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-12
ItYwouId certainly be to the disgrace OF che
whites il it were not so.
M0DERN .L0nRNAETSaL.

each paper is to consider this question with
view to its own glOrificatiOn. Newspaper busi-
ness is q matter that generally interests only
newspaper men. There are some things, how
ever, in connection with it, upon which word
or two may be said of interest to the public.
The problems of journalism have been per
picking in the last few years. The INST mission
of the newspaper was merely TO record tue
gossip of the town. 1t told the nelghDor
the news of the day-the scandal about the
Smiths, and. the dreadful accident to the
Browns 1t was the pOst-boy, the herald. the
carrier, the newsletter, the mere gazette IL
told its story, and was forgotten. III piece
OF malice was added, q sober reflection by way
of advice or warning, it made no more impress
sion than would the observations OF the moral
ling gossip In its early days The London
Times was trivial and purposeless sheet. Jt
attained its present marvellous power slowly,
and mainly because it has been conducted npdn
tho true principles of journalism. The news
paper of the olden time was no more respect
ed than the ga1oping post-boy who rides up
TO O tavern-door and repeats gossip OF the
highway over pot of ale. The essayists
wrote periodically, but they had no news TO
tell. and they answered luxurious taste. A
man read his Spectator very much as he
smoked his cigar OF slipped his wine. 1t was
luxury. He could do without it. He can no
more do without his newspaper than without
his head. No intelligent man VIII pass the
day in condition of news-hunger. The news
letter and the essay served their missions; yet
neither had permanence. The Rambler and
The Spectator might talk most delightfully."-,
Int it was merely talk, and became tiresome.
The newsman was at the mercy OF any rival
who had fuller budget. The essayists lived
and died; the news heralds got along as best
they coud-a troublesome, necessary evil, re-
garded by Parliament and Ministers as gipsies
or beggars, and at times put into the stocks.
Journalism became distinct profession when
the missions of the essayist and the news man
were united The true journal now Is that
which records every event of interest and dis
cusses it with impaitality and courage. The
time was when the review, the magazine, and
the pamphlet werr the means of expressing
cultivated and impartial opinions. Gifted men
took this means OF reaching the reason OIL a
people, because no otls1t avenue was OPEN
| The press, as general thing, was too poor 10
ask their aid "Junius" was flash, an acct
dent, shrewd political war, not journalism. In
twenty years We have seen the newspaper
usurD and absorb these functions. The revenues
of a great newspaper are large enough to outbld
any other competitor, while Pts audience Is so
vast aud general that he who has story to
tell, or an argument to press, hur1les 10 It's
columns. The only institution iii RepuDnc
which verges upon the mOnarchieal, is that Oh
an editor. If there were but single news
paper. this would become tyranny, and So
ciety would be at the mercy Of one man,
clothed with an impalpable, irresponsible. im-
perious power, which came with every day OF
life. assuming 60 tear down and build up, to
honor or dishOnor, to reward and punish. Inc
multiplication Of newspapers avoids tins III
one editor commits O wrong, there are twenty
| who will see that justice Is done.
While iournalismis becoming profession more
powerful and respected than that OF any other
which, indeed, embraces and fashions all others
its news facilities are marvellous Steam ana
! the telegraph have added greatly to the use
fitness of the press Few but those In the
profession know the almost endless ramliica-
| tions of great newspaper. The editor VINO
sits over his midnight lamp quietly arranging
| his columns, has his servants In every quar-
ter of the world. His orders are obeyed in the
dominisns of the Taicoon and the Sultan, III
the torrid countries of South America, and on
tho drcary, humid shores of Walrussia. His
ministers may be found closeted with Count
Bismarck, or riding on the trail OF the
merciless Indians. And SO through every branch
of business and in every relation Of life. The
| true newspaper is that which tells every man
precisely what he desires to know, who gives
the merchant the price Of his wares in Asia,
and Europe, and America. II the vines fail IL
yerzenay. it is known in New-York within an
hour after it is known i'll Rheims. II the cotton
crop is success, it is known in Liverpool as
| soon as in New-York. The telegraph has so
wrapped and girdled the world that before
broker ventures to part with his American bond
he must know how much il was valued at the
day before by the money changers of Frankfort
aud London.
| And with all this power and with resources
as great rs that Of many commonwealth jour
nalism is but In Its infancy Here in America
it is especially SO. We look TO London for the
highest type OF journalism. We are mistaken
if. In very few years, the best type will not
be found in New-YOrk. AS it is the enterprise
of the Now-York press Is far superior to that
Of any English newspaper, and with the growth
OF our Republic which now bids fair TO equal
if not slllpass, the grandeur Of Rome IN its
n6bniest days, we may venture the hope that
we shall make THE TRIBUNE not merely what
il 40 long has been-the great Journal of
Ameriea--but tie greatest journal In the world.
:. r. e "a