Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-10-15
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WHAT WE DO FOR NOTHING

From the New Orleans Picayune.
If a journal were merely a daily
advertising handbill, without word
of news, q line of literature, or any
expression of opinion, it would still
be valuable to the public. Thousands
of the interested and curious would
read II in order to know what is 60
ing on in 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 occu-
pied, he would still be, to certain
extent, public benefactor and pro-
moter of general progress.
But the journalist is no such me-
chanical echo of the words and
thoughts of his advertising friends.
He must be at his post day and night
in order that the public may be
promptly and fully informed of what
Is going on, not only in the shops
anu WuicuOuScb VI Ills DdblOilS, NV
only in his own city or State, but
everywhere. Each issue must be a
daily chapter of the worlds chroni-
cles. A true journal must also be a
reflex of the enlightened public opin-
ion of the world, a defender of wha.
Is just, q vindicator of what is hon.
orable, an adviser, champion and
friend of all who aim at good ends
through proper means.
Hence it happens that the best OF
all the work of the journalist is that
which he does for nothing. If any
useful public enterprise is projected,
whether originating with him or the
fruit of some speculative undertake
ing, the aid of newspapers is straight
way solicited. All incipient joint
stock schemes, whether for building
hotels, or establishing banks, or in
augurationg universities, or organi-
zing insurance companies, or found
ing asylums, constructing railways
usually manifest their birth through
the unpaid columns of newspapers
and are by them fostered, fed anC
stimulated until capable of self-sus
tenance. Few germs of enterprise
fructify in success unless the busy
hand of the journalist first stirs uI
ground of public opinion in which
they spring. He does more gratuit
Gus work than men Of any other vo
cation. He is the ally of all who art
engaged in public schemes, and mus
give his services without pay, with
out rations, and generally withou
thanks or appreciation.
1t is well enough for the public t.
be reminded of these things from tim,
to time, that they may not fora ct thu
work which the journalist does with
out money and without price. If we
as class, were to claim from public
institutions our full share in then
according to the work OF hand anc
head which we have expended tC
build them up, it would be fornd tC
be something more than the value o
the little reciprosity that Is generally
conceded. A fourth part of the stock
of all the railroads in the country
would be no disproportionate allott
ment to the press for its agency II
building them. Many other scheme
would never have survived the pulling
and sickly term Of infancy except fol
the wise and watchful nursing of the
printer. Either to the tolerance ol
the favor of the press many great for
tunes of companies or individuals ar,
due. These services claim n need o
gratitude which the spirit Of fair deal
ing should not ignore. Don't "muZ
zle the OK" which has trodden ou
your corn.