The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-04-16
THE AMEHlrIRs OF JoURNALlsM

AAssAhA.b -
We are about entering upon Presidential
campaign which BIDS fair to bs the most ex.
cited and the most earnest political canvass
ever known 10 this country. There are reasons
for this into which We do not now propose to
plunge ourselves; but as an independent Jour
nalist we feel called upon TO have our say
respecting the methods and the spirit In which
It should be conducted. As an American eiti-
ten we confess to a deep interest In the result,
not from any mere partisan motives, but from
desire Of our own, and from principles which
spring from and are controlled by what appears
to us to be the supreme welfare OF the nation.
We are opposed to ali Generalization OF par
ties, and especially to that liberalization OF
instrumentslities which bodies ruin to the
moral status Of parties and reduces the strug-
gle for success to q mere scramble In which
billingsgate shall be rewarded ct the expense
Of all the dcecncies and prophecies Of life.
We like terse, sententious, strong writing.
We like that clear presentations of facts, and
that logical deduction from premises which
annihilstes politiearopponents. Strong, clear
perspieuous arguments We admire; but per.
sonal abuse and slang, born Of fustian, bad
morals and q wicked temper, we sbominate.
We gain nothing By calling men liars. scoun-
drels, and knaves, even though they may DO
such. II ought to be for US . sunlcient
triumph to prove a political opponents facts
to be no facts, and to disprove his arguments
by logical deductions which even he cannot
overturn nor refute.
There Is, perhaps, truth In the adase tina:
lie will circumnavigate the world while truth
Is putting on Its boots; but opprobrious cpl.
thets do not refute lies any faster, nor - fast,
as sound arguments. We gain nothing against
political opponent by calling him q liar, even
though 10 he w n a ali mn tat Mt If
facts, and a well pointed argument, will show
the fsllacy and unsound character ofhis state.
ment.
Slang and personal abuse are very cheap
weapons, and II requires but small modieum
OF brains to use them. The rabble may shout
our praises, as Ia. the case Of Brick Pomeroy;
but wise and thoughtful men Of all parties
will despise US for our free use Of billingsgate
instead of argument.
The politician who calls his opponent liar,
Ascoundrel, and knave, makes two serious
mistakes First, he fails to make due allow
ance for the mans lack of knowledge, the
stand. point from which he views the questions
In issue, the bias Of educ alton, and that pre-.
judice which must always attach itself to NOR.
tai judgments. Everybody knows how prone
we all are to make out our points in politi
cal discussion, and, perhaps, not unfrequentiy
which we do not care to examine with the
most particular minuteness In all their details
All this may occur without Intentional lying
on our part, and SO far as we have observed
the earnest politicians Of all parties are much
given to this sort OF thing. when you can re-
flute mans argument and prove his facts "a
be no facts, why should you call him q Hart
The second mistake that Is made In the
choice of opprobious epithets Is, all stron,
arguments are weakened by their use. H.
who Is amply furnished with argument cal
rest his cause with 1t, and can well afford t,
Ignore all personalities, and leave all homes
men to judge wherein lies the strength Q
his cause.
The bandying OF epithets proves nothin,
because these may be INDUCED in by unrenee
ing persons who never do and never can max
or appreciate arguments.
We much regret to see that some journal,
which have hitherto ranked as papers Of hig
character, descending to a sort OF billingsgat
style of Journalism, which can work no goo
to any cause however JUST but which, on tn
contrary, must work evil In reducing the strus
giles Of this campaign to level with the cor
troversies among the ish.women Of the stew
9f London.
Allsueh means resorted to, to further polit
cal ends, must result In evil to the cause the
are intended to promote.