Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-16
THE PRESS CONVENTION.

We hailed with nn1elgneu satls- {
faction the call for State Conyen-
ton of the Republican Press OF
L ,uisiana, because We thought
there were many conflicting claims
of interest in our noble profession
which might be adjusted by the as
sembled leaders of the Press to the
satisfaction of all concerned; but
we have been disappointed in our
expectations.
The Convention which met in
Mechanics Institute ON Wednesday
failed ON the start in its avowed OBJ
iect. It's avowed object was to secure
journalistic harmony, editorial in
dependence, and typographical i'm
provement. These three objects,
embracing domains OF thought, ex-
perience and discipline sufficiently
large and amply fertile to have
taxed the wisdom of the wisest, and
to have tested the experience of the
oldest, among us were utterly lost
sight OF, and p.r Qualities, politics,
an loquacity reigned in their stead
We fully understand that the 81
lent knights of the quill will some
times try to make mp on special oc-
casions for what they lose in gener-
al opportunity in the way ofspeech-
making, We fully sympathize with
those whom contracts have thrown
into our profession who are COM
PEELED to atone by 8 ,eeches for their
deficiency in the use OF the pen. We
make due allowonte for the ''ploc-
ing of political position with jour-
nalistic ability, we understand the
laws, the rules and the necessity OF
contracts but, we are still unable to
see the point Of connection between
a grind AMI, noble profession AMI
individual aspirants fer political
honors.
Why the governor should be en-
dorsed or denounced, why the anti
administration party should succeed
or be defeated in a newspaper press
convention, why political resolutions
should monorolize the time that
ought to have been given toprofes-
sional deliberations We are unable
to understand.
We once before appealed to our
country brethren i'll regard to vast
ing their strength over Egyptian
pyramids which they can neither
shoulder nor climb. and we appeal
to them again to aid in calling a
convention which will help to guide
the republican press into the path
: way of party agreement, local and
: general efficiency, and above all to
= a standpoint OF political indie
: pendence. c.. .-
. The late convention was remark
able for two things, viz: for what ii
: did, and for what it left undone.
1t did the unprecedented thing
. of wasting the time which ought
to have been given to considerations
which affect our profession, such as
! a better understanding with typoes
. q better system of advertising, the
establishment of better rules in re-
!. gard to subscribers and better un
d, rstanding about quoted articles
a fuller recognition d all engaged
on the press, a I.fser representation
of Southern newspaper interests il
the national and other typographi
cal unions aud last but not least, th'
!, relationship between the dolores
and white members of the Press
y and printing Offices in both typo
: graphical unions aud conventions
= It gave its time to squabble, part
san advocacy and. the general wash
ing Of dirty linen. 1oi 'rsasf hae
II May We not hope that the dis
,ftgraceful scenes of Wednesday an
Thursday night win have taught tn
10 press Of this State lesson I?
,e Ours is profession that invoke
d all the virtues consecrsted by th
IL decalogue.
: And these virtues will perch UP
"a on our banners If they are LITE
4 with stainless impartiality to an in
r dependent breeze. Our work is
4 work ofconciliation, and not a wor
70 of strife, and the State as well as th
r National administration should san
p tify the motto LET ushaye peace