The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-04-18
JOURNALISM.

delivered by mr. Whiteaw Reid Of the New
York Tribune, on Journalism, before the New
York University. The peculiar mission Of
the press, and the essential qualifications Of
those who are entrusted with its direction
and development are not properly understood
or thoroughly comprehended by the vast
majority of renders nor is the progressive
character Of the profession appreciated. It
requires versatility Of talent, peculiar apt
ness and adsptability, and laborious expe-
rience, to become what may 5ruthfully be
regarded by thinking people, a successful
journalist. A slavish conformity to party
ritual subservient obsequiousness to party
usages-a blind obedience to party dictation
is as Incompatible with the growth and de-
velopment Of intellectual and useful journal
ism. as the absence Of the pillow, and tight
soil. are to the expansion and healthy maturi-
ty of the vegetable plant. The true field of
journalism is broad, catholic and progressive.
A just knowledge Of it, can only be obtained
by close application and liberal study. No
narrow, contracted selfish mind, can catch in
and locate It's responsibilities, its duties and
its privileges. Its range Of usefulness is
more diversified, aud requires quicker per-
ception a higher moral courage ard more
determined and independent will, than any
other profession. The lawyer, the doctor and
the preacher, each directs his powers Of
thought into one special channel. The duties
of the journalist take in the whole scope Of
the intellectual world It is his business to
study well the interests Of community-of
collective bodies, composed Of iuharmonious
mental organisms, and seek to direct public
thought to that end, which will accomplish
the greatest common good.
We assume it as cardinal truth that a
journal to be useful must be Independent.
Of late, there has been much said BY hide
bound editors and constipatcd stump speakers,
about independence in politics. VI hen exer-
cised by what is known as Conservatives or
Democrats, being the certain precursor to the
enforcement Of the Republican faith. We
recently read al extract from speech Of
Gov. Vance, of North Carolina, presenting
this thought 10 very attractive language and
BY novel illustrations. We do not remember
ever to have read more silly production, CIR
oae that could more fully demonstrate his in
capacity FOR public position. We regard such
savsh adherence to sectional prejudice: and
shallow comprehension Of the duty of states
,napship. as public calamity. It is just
such unfortunate men who have kept up the
bitter sectional feeling Of this country. and
fostered The spirit in the dominant party, that
has brought affection upon the Southern
people. We regard no man as friend Of
the South. who persisteatly arrays himself
against his own Observation-Disclosures and
denounces, on all occasions, and under all
circumstances, the chief representatives Of
that government, and seeks to bring into dis
repute the character of our institutions
When party feeling and sectional prejudice,
become so diffused through mans moral
and intellectual being, as to ride over and
subordinate the higher duties Of citizenship,
and his allegiance to the government he is
sworn to uphold, he becomes pest to his
people and a traitor to his country. Yet this
same Mr.. Vance has made application to this
same dominant majority to be relieved from
his political disabilities!
Now if Dir. Vance and those who accord
With him, think this is high moral courage
manly independeace-we beg leave to differ
with them. It is certainly not the independ
enee Of true journalism, nor is it an iudepend-
ence that will lead the popular mind to a cen
yiction Of its utility its business or its states
manship. It's the Independence which gives
distinction to the fish market to the mob,
and the pugilistic ring. But it is not the
independer ce Of good citizenship, nor of COM
preheasiye statesmanship. It is the duty of
the independent press to sternly condemn all
such distempered productions. They are
harmful to our section-can accomplish no
possible good,-bat must eonsummate pos
tive harm.
4 We are strongly inclined to the belief
that the fruits Of the spirit manifested not
only in Mr.. Vance's remarks, but in those of
many Democratic members Of Congress, aud
leading southern newspapers, are the refusal
to pass general amnesty bill, and the enact
ment Of such legislation as partakcs Of the
tenor Of the Ku-Kluz law. Looking at the
matter calmly, dispassionately and iisdepead-
entity, we are forced to the conclusion that
much Of the annoyance and oppression
brought upon the whole people Of the South
has been induced by the ill-timed and III
considered course of those who claim to be
leaders of public opinion in the South. They
have taken counsel of prejudice and passion,
instead Of reason and common sense, and by
their own violence. have encouraged the same
spirit in equally badly balanced minds in the
North. The result Of all this is the people
have to suffer for it, who really have no syn
pathy with this wild and excessive exercise
| of passion