Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-06-20

read in literature, conversaht with
science, familiar with history, close
student Of the controverted ques-
tions Of the day, and master of a
strong and vigorous style of writing.
Then his hours of labor should be
systematized so as to accomplish
the greatest amount Of work in n
given time, and so that the work of
every day shall be performed. 1t is
only in this way that he can entitle
himself to proper rest and leisure,
be intelligent on all questions as
they arise, perform the requisite
amount and quality Of work, and
make his paper so desirable that it
shall not be displaced by the city
journal in any family within its ter
ritorial, range. How else can he
keep himself up. with these tele-
graphic times, abreast with trans
piring events, and roll back the tide
of city competition which the ex-
press trains, at thirty miles an hour,
are ever hurrying on to pour into
his locality?
We are told that editors, like po-
cts, are born, not made. There is a
sense in which this is true, but there
is no field in which training and cul-
turc pay larger dividends upon the
investment. Mr.. Greeley thought
so highly OF editors who had gradu-
ated from the case that he could
hardly tolerate young writer's from
the schools. lie judged from expe-
riencc as well as observation; and
the sclf-made men of the American
press, of whom there are thousands,
and from whose ranks scores have
risen to the highest emincncc, know
how valuable Is practical acquain-
tance with the art. But it may well
be doubted whether this sort of pre-
paration will answer the demands of
the future. The press is becoming
the central point of attraction for
the talent and culture of the age,
and | am prepared to believe that
special Intellectual training will be-
come a fact and necessity before
the present generation passes away.
An editor of the highest class needs
tn. broadcst Of culture-l roader
than is afforded by the curriculum
of our collcges-and hence, a spec
ial department, in which the student
may obtain the best style of compo-
sition, thoroughness of literary ac-
quirement, mastery of governmental
forms, familiarity with political
facts, knowledge of political ccono-
my, critical acquaintance with ge-
ography, etc, will be found of the
highest use in preparing young men
OF talent for the labors of editorial
life. In struggle of such intense
activity they mnst needs enter with
their intellectual harness all n,their
mental resources all at command,
and themselves eager for the fray.
INDEPENDENCE.
But more Is needed. The editors
of this country, and especially
country editors, have not yet learned
to be sufficiently masters of them
selces. Necessarily and properly
attached to some political organiza-
ton, as most of them arc, they have
been dwarfed by partisan fealty and
devotion to the personal ends Of
aspiring demagogues. Many an
editor has been kept poor, and his
influence and usefulness destroyed,
in this way. There is q sense of
personal degradation in this prosti-
tuting of ones powers, under the
binding and cruel force ofnecessity,
which precludes all aspiration for a
higher and noble position. Then
the press is made contemplate by
the low order of partisan appeal to
prejudice and passion, and by per-
sonal assaults upon opposing can
didates and upon each other
Criticism is essential to the elucida-
tion oftruth; wit, satire and lidicule
are 'justifiable weapons Of partisan
warfare; the public action of every
public servant is a proper subject
of debate; and double-dealing, fraud
and corruption should be held up to
scorn and contempt; but why
descend to mere person abuse, ribal-
dry, and defamation? Who does
not see that these wcapons-always
distastcfnl to just and honorable
minds, and regarded as mourntul
evidences of debasemcnt. in the
most skilful hands-bccome utterly
disgusting when the epithet or the
insinuation is blurtcd out in course
language ani limping rhetoric? AS
Hamlet said to the players, ooh,
reform it altogether" Let us shake
off these shackles Of an unworthy
partisanship. Let the press cease
to be the mouthpiece of individual
aspirants; let us approximate as
far as possible, among ourselves, to
the impersonality of the English
method. Let us give the profession
new dignity, and therefore increased
character, among our countrymen,
and thus unitedly raise its influence
to a higher level, and spread it over
II broader field.
But to accomplish this care must
be taken that independence does
not degenerate into license. There
are those who seem to think that an
editor is endowed with pen and
printing ink simply to advance his
own interests, and to hunt down all
who stand across his path, or who
are likely to be rivals for place and
power. All this detracts from the
legitimate influence of the press
from its reputation for candor and
fairncss-and seriously impairs its
claim upon public confidence and
support. The editor is not expected
to dictate public opinion, but to give
it expressions; to guide it, SO far rs
he may, in just and catholic spirit;
and to deal fairly by individuals,
and all issues that affect the public
welfare. In proportion as he ap-
proximates to this standard, or re-
cedes from it, WILDE the growth
or decay of his influence.
We arc told by gentlemen Of un-