The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-11-10

EIOm the ~. ". X 1cd9 u46.
If a journal were merely daily adver.
Using handful, without a word of news,
line of literature, or any expression OF
opinion, it would still be valuable to the
public. Thousands of the interested and
curious would read it in order to know
what is going on in trade and the world
of business. Every advertiser would be
his own herald, and answer the question
which Oftenest occupies the thoughts
when neighbors meet: "What are you
doing?" If the printer of the journal of
advertisements did no more than let each
advertiser tell his own story in his own
way, at fair tariff of charges according
to space occupied, he would still be to a
certain extent public benefactor, and a
promoter of general progress.
But the journalist is no such mechani-
cal echo of the words and thoughts of his
advertising friends. He must be at his
post day and night in order that the pub
lie may be promptly and fully informed
of what is going on, not only in the shops
and warehouses of his patrons, not only
in his own city or State, but everywhere.
Each issue must be daily chapter of the
worlds chronicles. A true journal must
alst, be reflex of the enlightened public
opinion of the world, a defender of what
is just, a vindicator of what is honorable,
an adviser, champion, and friend of all
who aim at good ends through proper
means.
Hence it happens that the best of all
work of the journalist is that which he
does for nothing. If any useful public
enterprise is projected, whether origin
ating with him or the fruit of
some speculative undertaking, the aid of
newspapers is straightway solicited.
All incipient joint-stock schemes,
whether for building hotels, or establish
ing banks, or inaugurating universities,
or organizing insurance companies, or
founding asylums, or constructing rail-
WAYS, usually manifest their birth through
the unpaid columns of newspapers, and
are by them fostered, fed and stimulated
until capable of self-sustenance. Few
germs of enterprise fructify in success
unless the busy hand of the Journalist first
stirs up the ground of public opinion in
which they spring. He does more gra-
tuitous work than men of any other voca-
ton. He is the servant of the public
and must bend his shoulder to any load.
He is the ally of all who are engaged in
public schemes, and must give his SER
vice without pay, without rations, and
without thanks or apprecia-
ton.
1t is well enough for the public to be
of these things from time to
time, that they may not forget the work
which the journalist does without money
and without price. If we, as a class,
we're to claim from public institutions
our full share in them according to the
work of hand and head which we have
expended to build them up, it would be
found to be something more than the
value of the little reciprocity that is gen.
orally conceded. A fourth part of the
stock of all the railroads IN the country
would be no disproportionate allotment
to the press for its agency in building
them. Many other schemes would never
have survived the pulling anG sickly term
of infancy except for the wise and watch
full nursing of the printer. Either to the
tolerance or the favor of the press many
great fortunes of companies or individu-
ais are due. These services claim a
need of gratitude which the spirit of fair
dealing should not ignore. Don't fmuz-
zle the OK" which has trodden out your
corn.