The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1869-11-11
The Trials of Editors +.

We make the following extract from
an address recently delivered before
the Iowa Press Association on this
subject:
In speaking Of the revenues of the
press, cannot refrain from expressing
my views Oh the subject Of free advcr-
tisements. There is always to be found
in every considerable community set
of creatures who imagine that by some
dispensation they ought not, like other
mortals, to pay for what they receive.
Editors have extraordinary facilities
for making their acquaintance, and are
kindly permitted to contribute gifts 10
their support, In what other branch
of business would this be tolerated !?
Allowing that one has put the press
under some obligation, does no not
generally expect to get back more than
the worth Of his services? IF man
does all editor q favor Ola marketable
value, let him have his remuneration in
cash. On the other hand, require him
to pay for what the paper does for him..
1t is just rs reasonable to expect the
carpcntcrto shingle your house, and the
taylor to make your coat without
charge, rs to expect all editor to pre-
pare and publish matter for anothcr's
benefit without compensation, Lengthy
obituaries, marriages ornamcnted by
extracts from the poets, and lengthy
puils Of some ones corner lots or i'm
proyemcnts, come under this class of
Advertisements.
This custom Of gratuitous notice, and
advertisements from whatever quarter,
ought to cease. for the reason that it
would be Il benefit to the printers pocli
cts, and would in some degree abate an
almost intolcrabic nuisance. The prin.
ter's path has more thoms than roses;
and there is no law, human or divine,
that should ob!igc him to shoulder the
burdens who are too lazy or stingy to
take care Of themselves. People will
come to terms where they find their in
tcrests are involved in a reasonable
compliance.
Perhaps no man is made the subject
gilmore abundant concern, and is watch
ed with more untring vigilance than
the editor Of 4 paper. Nearly every
other man seems to imagine he can ed
il paper better than the editor him
editor himself. SO editors are poster.
ed with langcres in the office, and
advised by incompetent mentors; are
graciously waited upon by political and
adyenturers, and allss who have any
diminutiyo specimens Of ,cutIery to,
grind | will notattempt to disturb
the present serenity Of this body,
which now providcutially enjoys lit
lie respite, by recalling, by portraiturc,
the interruption, the pcrpleXlies, the
insane requests, the abuse, the borcs,
the scnscless criticism, the wanton in
dignation that an editor is liable to
suffer, and has to expect as part Of
his experience. At best his enyiahle
position is 4 trying one But the soon
er he gives all sorts Of people to un
derstand: in most corteous language,
that he is the manager OF his own pa
per the better. Threats TO discontinue
effective DESCRIPTIONS Of personal inter
csts in its success; all kinds of gushing
demonstrations, may be safely ignor-
ed. Few men in the land are comfort
able without Their paper, and the more
unninchingly independent its course,
the better they will like it. No honest
edit tor. as | have suggested, loses, any
thing in the long run by his straightfor-
ward manlincss and courage or all
despicablc things, a journal that veers
to each breath Of blame; that trims its
sails for the breeze Of vulgar applause
that sacrifices its independence for a
mess of pOttage, is the most contempt.
bic. Surely my words will find response
in every honest heart when ssy, be
master of your own position; be lord
over your own domain; be judge on
the bench Of your own sanctum--the
jury that decides in the enlightened
opinion of your readers.