, 1873-06-25
BEECHEB ON JOURNALISM.

The annual convention and reunion Of the
New York State Editorial Association was held
at Poughkoepsie, on the 10th inst. The Asso-
citation did not accomplish ANYTHING OF general
value to journalism, but at the banquet which
was held in the evening the delegates had the
pleasure of listening to some remarks from the
Rev. Henry Ward Beechor, which we're charac-
terized by eminent good sense. His address
WIS devoted to the general and legitimate
sphere Of journalism, and tho relative place
which it occupies in the world of lte1nture,
rather than to the practical details Of news
paper management, which NIr. Boechcr Is
hardly qualified by actual newspaper ex-
perience to suggest; but, like whatever he
may have to offer on any subject, it contained
much that Was both pertinent and interesting.
Mr.. Beecher assumed the broad ground that
journalism is not set profession. but only
pursuit. It has no definite bounds; it hes 10
common law or customs it has principles, and
yet they nre held rather Individually than by
common consent. It is not shaped and drawn
out into any form with acknowledged founda-
tions and superetructure." This is all very true;
but Mr. Beecher at this point neglected an op-
portuniry to show that many Of the most promi-
nent newspapers Of this country, by as
suming an Independent position, have
already taken the first etep which will
eventually elevate journalism from pursuit in
to profession. The really important papers OF
f1n cnuntrr, anna tirn a m racoor;7a3 4ha nocoox
sity Of this step and the dignity Of the new po-
aition- There are many papers, however, party
organs and smaller papers. edited by postmas-
ters and revenue collectors, which still depend
upon party for subsistence and blindly obey the
caucus. The really great papers which have
emancipated themselves from this thraldom and
taken an independent position have al
ready assumed form with acknowledged foun-
dations and superatructure," and its laws,
its precepts, it's axioms, and its customs are be-
ginning to exercise mighty influence al over
the country. Instead OF being bound together
by the feeble bonds OF party, which may be
broken any day by the shifting tides OF popular
opinion, they arc held together in strong af1in-
ity OF common effort to accomplish q COMMON
end, and that end is the moral and intellectual
elevation Of the race, and the promotion Of 9
higher degree Of civilization than can ever be
accomplished by those journals which have
their opinions dictated to them, and never ad-
vance ideas which do not draw the highest rate
Of interest.
r1>oro ,r11
are not go demoralized, think, us they hare
hitherto been represented to be. I have for the
las. few years looked with some degree of par
ticu1arity at the great leading journals Of
most fierce excitement. I an bound to say that,
while there has been much untoward and much
that was to be regretted Jet. on the WHOLE the
tone Of journalism even in party heats and party
excitement has been vastly higher than it WAS
following our Revolution, OF in the
earlier and classic periods OF our national lfe.'
This beneficial result also has been effected by
journalism, and we are surprised that
have sought for the cause OF this remarkable
change. As long aa = newspaper is dependent
for it's very existence upon its SUCCESS in follow
ing political party or faction through al its
t"istings and turnings, it must inevitably be-
come demoralized. It il compelled to wink at
dishonesty, to encourage corruption, to advocate
bad measures rs we'll as good, to denounce men
whom it knows to be respectable andhonest, and
to support men whom it knows to be dishonest
and corrupt In such process IS this
it soon hardens it's conscience and becomes
I'M h1a Ia rsnht from ,rno,,f Rannn e,,m....