Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-07


tie slocal items" that should be regu-
larly gathered and served in a graceful
and attractive style in the columns of
country newspaper. Momentous events
are so very rare in the country that
people make great accounts Of small ones;
and paper that furnishes full and agree
able account of all these is sure of good
and liberal support. This report cannot be
too full; the "uncopsidered trihes" that
make up the sum of rural life look large in
type, aud people like to read about them.
In making up these items it is unnecessary
for me to add that good judgment must
preside over the work of gathering them,
and that care should be taken to avoid scam
dial and gross personalities; these are points
which every editor must adjust for him
self.
The news ofthe day should receive prop
er attention, Of course, but usually an alb
stract is sufficient, occasionally giving
additional space to some more important. oc-
currence. For the present, public taste is
better suited to short, pithy paragraphs in
reference to subjects away from home. Pol
Tics should have all that belongs to it, and
ia the heat of canvass it may be necessa-
~ to devote an extra column or two to the
demolition of ones opponents; correspond
ents from different sections are well enough
and 90 far toward making up an acceptable
variety; and of course there must be lead
er a short one, for as a general thing the PEG
pie do not expect, and do not desire OF
their home paper editorial solidity or jour
nalistic brilliancy, or if they did, they would
usually be disappointed.
To run a country office there are several
things to be considered, and great deal of
surplus labor, for which the proprietor new
er receives any remuneration. If you in
ssrt a small advertisement of ten lines-the
majority of advertisers want you to give
lengthy local notice gratis. If you refuse
to insert a long obituary, without pay, you
may expect the censure Of the relatives Of
the deceased aud it is more than likely you
will have a few less papers to mail on &C
count of your refusal. The proper way for
all proprietOrs is: Make out your list for adj
verlising at as low figures as you can afford,
then be certain to maintain your published
rates. 1t is wrong for the medium to seek the
advertiser-the advertiser should seek the
medium, by all means. The system in
augurated by Advertising Agents has done
more toward defeating the independence
of the press, as 1 conceive, than everything
else. We do not wish to be understood as
| opposing all Advertising Agents-not so.
The only thing we wish to mention is the
habit that most publishers have got into
that of taking advertisements at about one
third the published rates. This is ruinous,
| and will never be remedied until we be-
| come q unit on this subject
After describing the lazy country editor,
| and also,the class of country editors who are
unreliable, pOmpOus or egotistical, he con-
| Guided by saying:
1t is our pleasure now to speak of the
| '.labOriBg, wide-a-wake newspaper man."
At early dawn he is on his way to his Office.
| In his side pocket are well written and Sc
| lected articles which he has read and re-
read with marked care and diligence. He
meets his friends with cOuntenance beam
| ing with intelligence and happiness. He
| pays them due notice, but spares no time
| in getting to bis office. He walks into his
| Clearly swept sanctum, doffs his coat, lays
off his hat, takes his copy and arranges it
on the hooks for the cOmpOsitors;
takes up his exchanges : provided
| his services are not required at
the case-and peruses them with care. He
/ is very particular about his selections. He
gives variety-something for all characters,
sex and age. If necessary, he acts devil,
runs errands, carries his paper to his town
subscribers and, in fact, he is ready and
willing for all emergencies. His office is
kept clean; the type and furniture are not
scattered in every direction; his job depart
ment is kept in order and all job work done
neatly and expeditiously; and, above all, he
| is alive to the local affairs of his section.
This man is an honor to the profession.
| Visit his family circle-you'l find it an
| Eden. His is the happy bone,
| "Oh name for comfort refuge, hope and peace,
| Oh spot my gratitude and memory blest!
Where, as in brighter worlds, ''the wicked cease
| From troubling, and the weary are at rest"
| And untiedged loves and graces have their nest:
| How brightly here the various virtues shine,
| And nothing said or done is seen amiss;
| While sweet affections every heart entwine,
| And different tastes and talents all unite,
| Like hues prsmatic blending into white,
| In charity to man, and love divine;
! Thou little kingdom of serene delight,
| Heavens nursery and fOretaste! o what bliss,
| Where earth to weary man can give home like
this"