Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-11-15


coming generations will pronounce
them blessed. No enconium that l
can conceive is adequate to eXtol
beyond, or even equal to, its merits,
the art of printing.
| 1t is possible that some Of us by
nature and qualification may not be
fitted for the places we occupy, but
we are in them, and as long as we try
| to fill them, we should be prompted
| by the most exalted aims that
can animate human action. The
| position of the true editor may be
/ regarded as that of a teacher. The
thoughts to which he gives utterance
/ in his columns, whether original or
selected, may seem transient to the
time of their expression, but they
leave their impress on some minds.
1t is said by some thinkers that no
intelligent sound is made by the
human voice that is not echoed, and
! its reverberations caught. The idea
| is, of course, that this fact is spoken
! of in a metaphorical sense, yet may
! there not be something literal in it?
So it is in giving expression to our
/ ideas in print, and promulgating them
| to the world. Humble as they may
seem they do not die stillbOrn, but go
| forth on the mission for which they
wore sent. Those of US who have
become familiar with these facts, from
a quarter to q third of a century's
observation, can verify this posi-
ton.
Occupying this exalted position,
then, our best judgment and dis
elimination should always be awake
to the responsibility we assume.
It Is with pleasure the fact may be
recorded that the spirit OF animOsity
which once prompted many editors
to berate each other seems to he dying
out. This is well. All of us when
younger have been guilty of many
indiscretions of this sort, but expert
ence and observation should, and l
hope will suggest to us the prOpriety
of avoiding personalities. Discuss
principles with all the freedom COM
patibIe with a sound judgment-do
so earnestly, conscientiously, and an
intelligent public will appreciate our
efforts.
Our coming together at stated times,
and meeting each other face to face
has a salutary effect. 1t tends to
modify those asperities which some
times characterize illusions to each
other when we were strangers per-
sonally. Editors, of all others, should
shun that belligerent spirit which
unpleasSntly marks the forbidding
man, let his position IN life be what
it may. I am fully persuaded that
there should be no incompatibility
between the editor and the gentle
man.
1t seems to me that our proper stat
US is not that OF prophets, though at
times in the ardeney of our zeal for
promulgating certain favOrite theO-
ries or advocating certain measures,
we may indulge in the spirit OF for
casting the future-in imagination
rather than in fact-what evils will
betide the state If our plans are not
carried out, or what favorable results
will follow certain other schemes of
policy. OF course it is a privilege we
may indulge in, to a certain extent,
of uttering our ideas as to what Is or
Is not to be in the coming future.
The apparently most philosophical
and far seeing are not unfrequently
deceived in their yatieinatiOns.
But five cannot be prophets We
can be the antithesis Of this class-we
can be historians. The records we
make all contribute TO furnish those
who come after US as to what is trans
piring In our day. Some fifteen or
twenty years ago Mr.. George w. Bun
CAV, the essayist and poet, in point
ing to the traits of notable men then
living, in the earnestness of his IT,
thusiam, and perhaps indulging in a
little poetic license, said that Horace
Greeley was the recording angel of
North America. No doubt Mr.. g.
has contributed a fair share toward
transmitting to posteritS the sayings
and doings of the times, but it seems
to me that he is not the only angel
entitled to eommendation for the sue
cess which has attended his efforts as
a faithful recorder. Our Journals,
Reporters, Chronicles, GaZettes, and
Presses, all aid in making history
on Heralds, Republicans, Democrats,
Tribunes, Independents, Statesmen,
&c may help to elucidate the mys-
teries of government, while the COM
merciaI, religious, scientific, literary
and hundred specalities are taken
care of by their respective organs OF
thought.
This is a point to which we cannot
nav too much attention. A publisher
of a paper who is so careless as to pay
no attention 10 preserving one or
more complete files Of the same is
culpable of inexcusable negligence.
OF so much importance do l deem
this idea of preserving papers, that l
should suggest that law be enacted
by our legislature, which should re-
ouire of every publisher of paper or
magazine Of any description in the
state to send q copy Of every issue to
a state librarian or other proper OFF,
Ger for that purpose, at the seat of gov
ernment; and that il be his imper-
alive duty to take particular care Of
these papers, and have them filed and
bound every year. True, many Of
them do not seem to be of practical
utility in this way. at first, but there
is no periodical so Insignificant but
that it may be of value to posserity.
Had some thing like this been done
from the beginning, in Ohio, what 8
wealth of history would now enrich
our state! To prove that Ii Is only
necessary to advert to the fact that
we are all eager to get hold Of those
little, old, dingy, yellow sheets, put
through the Ramage presses Of long
ago ; and those who are the fortunate
possessors of such reclics will not will
ingly part with them without very
tempting consideration.
As we are met together in a social
and business capacity 1t may not be
amiss TO at least refer to an important
point, one which interests US all, and
that is order. I do not allude to it
with the idea that any here are lack
ing in this regard, but there are de-
grees in the grace, lift may be styled
such, which should command our Mt
tention. Some one will say that
order is heavens first law. In a
printing ONCE, where there Is such
variety. if it is properly conducted,
this precept is indispensable. A place
for everything, and everything in its
Mace, is a motto to which the careful
printer pays much heed, our business
embraces q greater variety Of tools
so to speak perhaps than any other.
! Carlessness causes blunders. Our
mistakes 90 out to discriminating
world, a large portion Of whom have
! no idea Of the thousand contingencie'