New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-12-24
ORR PROFESSION.

Inc u6aL0 OF TWO 6uQlu6uL 6ulIO1o7 anu
the difficulty Of filing the vacancy in the
Tribune, affords proper occasion for
comment upon the position and duties OF
an American editor. The fact that can
didate for the highest Office was chosen
from this profession is conclusive eU-
dence Of its importance. It also marks
the weight Of this influence, that this nom
inee owed his selection to the fact that he
had been through a generation the repre-
sentative Of an idea embodied in the Poiit-
zeal and military actions Of the govern
ment. In free country, this potent in
fiuence must be confded to competent and
consistent heads. In describing the char
acter Of true journalism, we some time
since remarked:
The influence in the formation and d.
rectiOn of public opinion, which is enjoyed
by the press even in the freest and most
enlightened communities, is so efficient for
evil or good that it entails fearful respon-
sibility.
With this doctrine the choice Of an
editorial conductor of an American jour
nal requires a combination OF qualities
not very readily united in the same
individual. The director of daily paper
must be. or have been, himself an editor.
He must. by enlightenment OF mind, be
capable OF compromising the principles
advocated, and must be so sincere in that
object as never to be driven from their
advocacy by fear or profit. The Ameri-
can people demand this consistency Of
purpose. They respect it even in an antag-
onist. The selection Of an editor for such
leading journals as those founded by
James Gordon Bennett. Horace Gree
ley Henry J. Raymond or Manton
Marble. involves no easy task. TO
meet the public demand and pre-
serve the property created by these
great minds requires ability. integrity,
knowledge. the confidential acquaintance
Of statesmen. and the confidence Of CAPT
talists and merchants. Well. then, may
the proprietors Of the Tribune canvass the
qualities Of him who is 70 command that
journal as a monarch might those of a
prime minister, for an editoy is a prime
minister Of public thought.
1t is a mistake though not az un.
common one. to suppose that any one
san direct public opinion by the mere pur-
chase of type and presses, and the hiring
If facile and sometimes mercenary writers.
man who as no statesman can know
nothing Of the permanent policy of coun.
rye One who is no scholar can not Judge
# the style which will satisfy an intelli-
,ent constituency, and he who runs his
newspaper to crafty his own avarice or
anity can not fill the demand Of American
Judgment. The best talent Of England
xhausted its satires upon the book pub.
Shers Of Grub street. Yet book publish
rs were essential to the existence Of in
royidens authors. But q book publisher
no seprints Robinson Crusoe or re.
eived the advance sheets Of Dickens
: Thackery. holds different po-
ton from him who assumes the
responsibilities Of daily ana leading
aper. Such man must have character.
lent and professional experience.
niey the direction Of such man the
Of the press IS respected and its
enbers are proud Of their calling. The
rvife hirelings employed to minister to
e vanity Of . professional director
I'VE often cause to blush at The position
signed them by the public for whom
ey iabor. 1t is aR established fact that
e character Of any people depends upon
e respect shown to its women. There
n be no higher evidence Of the enlighs. :
ment of people than the respect which ! !
~ bestow Upon an honest and :nteH.. =
ut press. !,