The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-12-27
Tho Public and tho Press.

Tho Public ana tho fEehSs
Upon the death OF Horace Greeley the at
tempt was made to obtain the control OF
the New York Tribune and convert 1t inso
an administration organ. In other words,
il was to be shown that the magnificent
ideas, OF which Horace Greeley was the ad-
yocate, died with him, and with bis defeat
were dead. The movement failed. A cap
iralist, identified with the interests OF an op-
pressive and obnoxious monopoly, bought
the major part of the Tribune stock. There
was no apparent reason why the great news
paper should not at once become the mouth
piece Of the Rings, and be the abject slave
OF the thousand and one schemes which, IN
the guise Of public benefits, seek to ROB 1ne
people. But the whole project broke down.
The capitalist, within very few days, was
glad to resell to Mr.. Greeley's chosen lieu
tenant the controlling interest, and the 11t'
buae to-day displays at It's masthead the
name Of It's founder-the name OF him who
led the battle for Reconciliation and Be-
union, and who, being dead, yet speaketh
words OF iriendliness and comfort to the
whole American people. This is one point
gained. The strongest Of our journals, the
paper most famous for solid force, as dis
tinct from purely intellectual energy, still
stands, the foremost champion OF that re-
couciliation and peace which gives to North
and South, to black man and to white the
like security and content
Mr.. Coifax and his friends doubtless
thought that the Tribune could be bought
and sold like pound Of meat In the market,
and that men picked up OF hazard could
continue to make it q great newspaper.
Therein lay the fatal error A newspaper
is powerful in two senses OF the word. 1t
ia the exponent of public opinion, and, In
q measure, is read even by those who do not
share its opinions; its force in this last par
ticular depending upon what may be called
its extrirsic merit as newspaper, as dis
tinct and separate from Its intrinsic merit
as a means Of propounding politico-econo-
mic theory. In the hands Of Mr.. Orton and
his colleagues the Tribune would have been
topgue-tled. It's reputation for indepen.
aence would have been gone, because the
public would have known that, whenever
certain interests came Into play, the paper
would be sure to act whether right or
wrong, In conformity with the pecuniary
leanings OF proprlstors, who had larger
interest In the success of their pet projects
than In the honor and welfare OF the paper,
which might commit harl.kari in espousing
them. This would kill the paper as an ex-
ponent OF public opinion: But the plrchas-
ers fsttered Themselves that it might live
and flourish as medium Of intelligence; ss
a paper giving the latest and freshest news,
and, therefore, read by thosewho never read
Its leaders, or read them only to criticise or
condemn. Mr.. Orton seems to have been q
victim TO the common deluslon that when
men have failed at everything else they
thereby become peculiarly fitted to take
charge OF the public press. II critics are
men who have broken down In literature or
In art, newspaper editors are supposed to be
men who, because they themselves can do
nothing practical, are, therefore, capable OF
leading towards the right and the true the
masses Of the people. Mr.. Orion iancied
that he could 30 conduct the Tribune, but
be broke dewn before he began. He speed
lily learned the lesson that 1t needs trained
and experienced men to make powerful
newspaper. Mere writing is the least part
Of the work, and, In fact, does oitentimes
as much harm as good. The thousand
subtleties which 60 to make up q news
paper, the drops which wear away the rock
OF public prejudice, the unconsidered triaes
which become mountains In the course OF
are not the work Of tyros or
amateurs, but OF men to whom journalism iB
a science, acquired by weary years Of labor,
watchfulness and devotion to the press.
The time will come, perhaps, In this city,
as elsewhere, when the attempt will be made
to carry on q newspaper upen the credit Of a
name or principle. The true journalist
can afford to regard such experiments with
q smile. A few months are sure to teach
the rash beginners that real newspaper,
the representative Of every interest, does
not live by theories, and that brilliancy OF
writing can never atone for tardiness and
want Of judgment In the gathering and pub
fishing Of news. The two things must march
together. A newspaper needs to be
staunch exponent Of the public opinion, and
it needs, besides, to be the means Of laying
before the public, in acceptable shape, the
news OF the day. And where both cannot
be done, it is easier to dispense with the
pretty talk than with the new which news,
by the way, costs much h.Jney, money
which they who, in conducting newspaper
have no other aim than political advance
ment or social gain, cannot long afford to
spend.
The Courier to be Sold.
IT. Ia sad hraakjnp mn when a neWsnaper