The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-05-30

political warfare. We don't know
each other as we should. aud a chief
benefit OF our organization Is TO per-
NIT us to make that acquaintance, to
enable US 10 cultivate the amenities
of life, and to learn what trihes they
are which sometimes separate and
estranee those who, of all others,
should have the manners and use the
language OF gentlemen, and cherish
the principles of enduring friendship.
Our occupation makes us combat
ants. We stand as champions for the
defense of the principles of our sect
or party. Wherever the interest of
party leads there we unfurl our ban
ner, aud too often forget that we wage
war against opposing principles, and
not against individuals. We may APP
ply the scourge to the supposed cor
rupti0n Of a hostile party, we may en-
| deavor to pursuade and convince
members of their error. but we win
no one to our belief by bitter denun-
Citations and gross personalities.
When We know each other better we
shall learn how little cause exists for
personal antagonism, and feel "how
good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together In unity. "
We too often undervalue the dig
nifty and importance OF our profess
sion. We too often permit ourselves
to be used for the advancement of in
dividuals to positions of honor and
profit, who are the least deserving of
such favors. There is no tyranny
like that of party-nO abasement to
which it will not sink the profession,
unless we assert our manhood, and
declare for the right, though the
heavens fall. At all events, let US
not belabor each other to promote
the interests of INSCRIPTIONS parti-
sans, who have no gratitude for our
labOrs, and who, at the first Opportu-
nifty, will be prepared to show US that
like the butler in the house of Pha-
Taoh, they re member not j Oseph."
Another object of our organization
is mental improvement. We meet to
compare notes with each other, tc
present our mutual cares, troubles
and embarrassments, and consult fol
the general good. The knowledge o.
each is poured intOa common treas
ury, from which all may draw alike
None is so humble who may not con
tribute to this fund, none so exalted
who may not learn something from
others.
The newspaper is a necessity of thu
age, and in fact the great educator o
the masses. A century since. anC
the number of newspapers published
in America did not average more thar
enc for each half million of our PEG
pie, and now the number required i
more than fifty fold. Then the ia
vored few, the wealthy, well informed
and Influential leaders could affort
the newspaper; now it is in ever,
house, in the humblest cabin, in tn
deep recesses of the. forest, on tn
limitless prairie, in the hands of tn
: laborer, the servant, the school boy
t Its influences, politically. socially
, morally, no one can measure. 1t Is
lever which overturns customs, dynas
ties, empires. 1t inspires men will
zeal and courage for the right, or en-
courages them in the wrong.
lie is not too much, therefore, Il
say that the man who holds in ligh
esteem the sponsibilities of his pc
sltlOn as conductor of public jour
nal, has mistaken his calling. He
should come to his duties not onl.
with determination to performs then
fearlessly and honestly, but with ;
resolution to prepare himself, by al
means In his power, for their In
teliiGent and correct discharge. TX
do thing passably we'll is not the
true standard of success. To be i'm
perfectly informed upon any topic is
little better than ignorance. TIC
achieve the success and the reputation
of Franklin, Bryant, Raymond, a
Greeley, Prentice, is to devote ones
self with enthusiasm to a life of as
unceasing toll as theirs. With nc
higher standard of genius, and with
less of cultivation than thousands
about US. they have simply demon
strated In their lives that labor con.
quers all thirgs. This is not always
practicable for the conductor of &
country newspaper, but a persist
emit effort on the part of any one
In treasuring up the information
at his command, will soon convince
him that there are fountains o.
pleasure of which he has never drank
and treasures of knowledge he has
never grasped He may then have
to give as we'll as to receive, and will
find increased qualification In inter
course with his editorial brethren.
AS no two will agree as to what
constitutes the model Of newspaper
so it is impossible that any standard
should be agreed upon. or that any
but general rules should be laid dowr
for the conduct of paper. Newspa
pers have as much distinctive char.
aeter as their conductors, and it is nc
more desirable that all papers should
be alike, than that all men should be
alike, either In their exterior or int.
rior. The paper is the reflex of the
man. In its columns be stands be-
fore US in sparkling paragraphs, or IL
labored leaders. His very selection:
often the better portion of any pa
per-shoW the turn of his mind, as
we'll as his taste and appreciation. L
he attempts to initiate the taste anC
style of others. his borrowed plum
age would only render him the sub
iect of ridicule. Much as he might
admire the stride of the giant, his at
tempt to walk in his footsteps would
only result in his own modification
Nature has made us differ, and the
true philosophy is quietly to accep
the situation.
/ There is but one rule of universal
application. and that is to aim at the
tr1th. Better. thousand times, tC
be dull and stupid, but truthful, than
TO be sparkling and witty without
character for veracity. With thi;
polar star for our guide other vir.
tues follow in the train. We shall
be courteous and gentlemanly tC
all opponents--we shall treat with
charity the faults of our neigh
bors-we shall speak with frank
| ~ esraorik~- w