, 1873-05-02


hlr. Horny Watterson, tho odltor Of tho Louia-
foro tho annual mooting Of tho State Editorial
Association Of Indiana, which was held, yester-
day. ut indianapolis. Wo present elsewhere In
this issuo 'coploua extracts from tho address,
which our roadors will find to DO entertaining
and instructive roading. 1t Is d popularity OF
tho profession Of journalism TINT all mankind,
md womankind, too, take lively intercst in Its
progress. professional address from lawyer
ia apt to appeal to tho intorosta Of lawyers OK
cluhivoly that from g. doctor, to medical mon
alone, and 30 OIL. An Intelligent and pictur-
osque survey Of tho fold Of journalism,
on tho other hand, concerns and interosta
everybody, whethor lawyor, doctor, bankor, or
what not. Tho contents Of the newspaper ie
common property, and Mr. Wattorson's vivid
and pleasant treatmont of hia thomo will meet
with appreciation and interest among oil claasos
of newHpapor-roadors as wo1l as among newa-
papor-makors.
Tho ruling idoa Of Mr.. Wnttorson's osaay is
tho timely purpose Of imprcaaing upon oycry-
body tho Importance Of maintaining froodom Of
the pross, which, 10 maintaina justly, bus boon
obtained moro by tho latter-day victories ovor
dependence and subsidy than by any liheraitios
OF tho law. This foaturo Of journalism is givon
tho most prominent place in tho progrcBs to-
ward profession, and In roacling that
"Fourth Estate" which Inns bee, claimed
for 1t. His contrasts botwoon tho old
o$ nts1r~ n$
an "organ md tho now-BoLool newspaper
which etoera cloar OF tho depression and con-
straint ot purity aud clique and cauous, IL etrik-
ing, and can scarcely fail to impresa upon tho
reador tho roal progression TINT has boon made
in journalism. Flo holds that no st1ccossful aud
influential editor can hencoforth bo slave to
party, for 1t will DO expected Of him to protect
tho public from political oppreseions on all
aidos, md to expose tilorns and abuaes In every
quarter 1Ionco, no successful editor cnn bo at
the aamo tino politician or Ill ofllco-holdor
Ho must hold linlsolf a1oof, to whatever party
ho may attach himself, from the tranlmols OF
subsidy and personal bias. It Is in tho samo
apirit that Mr. Wattorson advises tho pro-
yincnl proaB to cut off from tho dead-head
and dead-boat system, to abolish the exchange
and FREQ lists, to maintain gtoady and inaexiblo
tariff OF advertising according to its valuo, and
thus fixing permanent and lntloxiblo rule Of
their own, establish tho vital principle Of busl-
ness exchange instead OF gratuitios on olthor
sido. Thoro ia no doubt that the advice is sound,
and the sooner 1t is followed the better 1t will DO
for the ultimate a,,ccedH and standing OF tho
country newspapers.
b1r. Wattorson takes tho highest ground of
journalism, as was to DO expected. Ho has aptly
condensed tho whole capital Of tho newspaper III
tho single word, "Crcdit." What public conf
donco is to tho banlor and public faith to tho
statesman, trlstworthiness is to the journalist.
Tho staple Of tho public journal ianewa; but newa
does not moan rash sensations tho elaboration
OF mere rumor, or tho fabrication Of lively imagi-
nations. The journal must build up ita reputa-
ton on faota, obtained at the earliest moment,
and presented in the most attr aotiyo manner
consistent with truthfulnosa and dccency. What
Mr. Wattorson calls ''reckloas. racy writing" he
asserts, cannot hold it's own, and never has dono
so, however sensational or entertaining 1t may
be Tor the timo. Tho successful and influential
newspaper must have credit with it's readers,
Tho first requisite is that people should believe
in tho nova 1t presents to them. It Ia worthy OF
note TINT Mr. Watterson prescriboB " "kindlinoss,
honesty, fcnrleBBnoBs, and capability" as the
leading characteristics of the successful jour-
naliat, and TINT he gives kindliness tho most
prominent place among all Of them. Tho theory
IL founded upon good basis. The Maohlayollan
in journalism III no moro wolcome than tha mis-
anthropo III society. Thero is enough Of long
faces, black looks, and Hcowling manner in life
without cultivating thogo disagreeablo foaturoH
either In journalism or IN private circles.
Juatlco moods not to 10 maintained by aaori1ce
Of bonhomie, and tho world is rarely improved
by tho aavagery Of style common to d cortaln
| class Of newspaper
h1r. Wattorson has made his address tho
medium Of paying many genial compliments to
that betokons genninonesB Of eonyictton.and m
| nbaonca Of professional ranoor iu any qunrtor.
His utterances arc OF kind that will incroaBe
| tho gonorai oBtoom with which ho IL already re-
gardod by those who know him personally Or
professionally.
The address which H. Darodet. the successful
nadical candidate In tho rocont election III Paris,
issuca to tho electors Of tho Department Of tho
6oino, brings out tho full Significance Of hla
o1notfnn md rnGanfs tha ri, oter of tim nnnu.