Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-19
THURSDAY. DEorMnna 10, 1878.
self annscinns Innrnali.nn.

Some of our journalistic brethren, we observe,
are taking immense satisfaction 10 the thought
that Mr.. Collax is about to resign his present
office 10 take charge of newspaper. This
seems to them a fiattering tribute to the dignity
Of journalism, or, better, Journalism for
surely the name of profession so honored
merits the distinction of capital initial letter.
One of them, not less pleased than the rest, is
so modest as to say that this is can endorse
ment of the respectability of the profession"
If it has seemed to them doubtful hitherto
whether editing newspaper is respectable
calling, we are not surprised at their rejoicing
over settlement of the question in their favor.
1t had not occurred TO us that there was any
doubt in the matter; but there is, of course,
difference in newspapers, aud when one pub
lished in Boston compares Mr.. Sumner with
Boss Tweed, and speaks cf him as ''outraging
decency by struggling for the government loaves
and fishes" it is not strange that its editor
should be troubled with miseiyings as to the
respec;abHity of such journalism.
II those who seize the occasion of tue change
in the Tribune office 10 discourse on the dignity
Of their profession would only reflect little,
they could hardly help seeing that they really
degrade themselves aud their business. What
ever dignity may belong 20 the editorial profess
sion, the editor, who takes advantage Of its op
portunities 10 remind his readers how able, wise,
ready, laborions, enterprising and influential he
is, puts himself in a very undignifed attitude.
Ii is true that his readers might not otherwise
discover these admirable qualities in him, but
4I,s no h.
ably, to their non-existence, and in that
case even his reiterated assurances may not he
accepted as conclu sve in the lack of other evil
dence. For newspaper 10 be constantly in
sisting upon the importance and glory of jour
nalism is to betrav a consciousness that these
things are not made conspicuous in the charac-
ter of Its daily work, and to claim share of the
honor supposed 10 accrue to the profession from
the office which one of its members has held is
perhaps dstine ushable from snobbishness, but
we confess ourselves unable to draw the line
between them.
Honest and faithful editorial work is honora-
BILE, as is similar work in other oceupations,an
in none is il more sure to obtain recognition and
reward. Men enter upon this business as they
do Others, not often from motives of philan-
thropy, but because it offers prospect of work,
suited as they believe, TO their taste aud talents
and reasonably remunerative. AS large pro-
potion in this as IN other temployments
probably recognize their obligations TO
society, and endeavor TO use faithfully their
opportunities and influence We hope there are
not many who are specially elated by the knowl-
edge that some editors have become members Of
congress, governors, or vice presidents, or
humby accept it as personal OF professional
compliment when Mr.. Colfax resigns his Office
to become an editor, rather than to manage an
iron furnace or an insurance company.
The legislature was prorogued yesterday,
having been in session just one month, or
twenty-five legislative days, exclusive of Sun
days and Thanksgiving, and having passed
twenty acts and seven resolves. Its most i'm
portant domgs were the passage of the Boston
loan act, the building law, the Boston grade
aet the general insurance law, the act author
ling the lease of the Old South, and the rebuke
to Mr.. Sumner. Of the first we expressed our
opinion before its passage, and have seen no
reason to change it.; the last seems to us an I'M
necessary and unwise thing, not that it mis-.
represents the opinions of Massachusetts
in regard to Mr.. Summers proposedlmeasure,
but because those opinions were already well
enough known, and their assertion in this form
has the appearance Of a studied personal affront
to Mr. Sumner, rather than an admoniton TO
the senator. The building law and the general
insurance act are both desirable and satisfactory
measures. aot perfect, doubtless, but decided
gain on tue former legislation on these subjects,
Perhaps they were worth the expense and the
mistakes of the session, but We suspect thar
most sensible people are now agreed that the
session was unnecessary.
Father Burke, in his latest lecture in reply 10
Mr. Froude, gives to Ireland the honor of having
furnished the model for the constitution of the
United States. lis leading principle, according
to the lecturer, is that the wisdom of the whole
nation is appealed 10 in the selection OF the
chief magistrate. Nothing like this is to be
found among the ancient nations until the in
qniry is extended TO Ireland, but there, in the
ancient Celtic constitution of that country, Is
found the very model and type Of the admirable
form OF government which the founders of our
lepuDIlc SStdDllSnel IOT Us. Iue OGitlC COuSlllu
ton il thus expounded by Father Burke:
By the Celtic constitution of Ireland the land
was divided into five great portions, and ca h
portion was recognized as an independent state.
Munster, Counaught, Ulster, LeuSter AMI Meath
were perfectly independent from each other,
with their own kings-chieltains who were elect
ed by every man in the land, and these five
great nations, or GIVE nloods,' as they were
caed-enjOyed state independence. And then
at certain times they had the election of their
president They came together and elected the
brayesI, the best, the wisest, the most prudent,
and the most virtuOus man, and they placed
him upon the throne Of Tara as the universal
king or ardriegh. There was no concentration;
the kings Of the provinces were perfectly
free and independent in their own states
The American constitution is nothing more nor
less than faithful copy OF the old Irish laws
under which our fathers lived in peace.
The announcement that the conn sction be-
tween the headings east Of the central shaft at
the Hoosac tunnel was effected, was accom-