New-York tribune., 1873-04-12
Old AND NEW JOURNALISM
From TIE Memphis ApDaal.
Boston, April S, Is7,

Thirty or forty years ago, Amos Kendall
Geor-e ID. Prentice James Gordon Bennett, and Tnomas
IN ,iy citv i'm fhe Union There was a prestige about
their which would have secured large patronage
ehanced The public judges paper by its intrinsic
merJs. This is the era OF anonymous journalism No
vidnals evidence Of tins have only 10 refer 70
THE NEw-YOKK TRIBUNE. Horace Greeley was justly
regarded as one Of the most powerful and popular
editors in the United states. IL thought when he
died THE TRIBUNE would lose caste. But II Is stronger
more powerful and profitable than at any time Of its long
existence This fact shows that the prosperity OF news
paper depends upon its comparative merits with
excellence OF editorial matter, ana lts general ada
tatiou the daily wants OF the community IN when ~
they buy other ARTICLES Of daily consumption: When
politics the uppermost thing IN their nst OF wants
they select newspaper for Its politics. When news and
market reports, and general instruction ana entertain
ment are wanted they select the paper which comes
nearest their IN these respects political cam
pag Ia eny incident N the business OF great pa
per It's principal aim Is TO gather the news accom-
FeaasIs ~ 1o What - me newt 81 asd that
iourra which always gives him the freshest and fullest
intelligence Of the events OF the Wcrld H continue 10
Identy The of things is probaby better for
than the old; at any rate our people tnk 80, ana
they are satisfied. the conductors OF our pubic
ing that state OF satisfaction. The lnterac-
ing lines Of telegraph ON land and sea ne bridging OF
vast distances BY the expansion of civilized so
cety the Thousand agencies winch nng the ends OF the
@ ~ ttS1 the netty s0nabbes the public horse-whiT
pings the dueis, the party scandals which were the
stock trade OF the American press generation ago
For the editor, as personality, INC puDhc cares
very little; in exceptional cases ne becomes an o
ject interest; other professional pursuits lnd
yiduals by exhibition OF qualities ana the at
tannent OF extraordinary success excite the curiosity
md compel the admiration OF their fellow Ii is
rule newspaper, not the newspaper writer OF ed
itUr tnat cared for snd II 10 only good writer
sBdlful news-gatner and news-expOunder tiat the
editor s all considered and very little consideration
he gets deserves except long be serves well AS
he newspapers becoming the great c0ntrolhg en-
-
Tle increased responsibility which IL imposed upon
them. In a recent sermon. Henry Ward Beecher sad;
ge Wbo today s 10 caa Il In all
the wod nsht and
NfOat Be the ae Of a A Jasiee an Pur and
trs Gi proessors bold Of band
seaeni and i0T noble purity shall ase tn anaAru
esseie, 0y vouug snail proud Of honor
I'd r~iy honor saal be IN IN honesty
SO far as knOwedge extends ibe press THROUGHOUT
America faithfully endea avOTing to perform lis high
mission pcople have uuer, more dls Interested
or vigorous representative than they possess IN the
journalists Of the land. Tie press the most trust
woray exponent OF popular rghu and 10 the hour OF
the coutrvs people with Increased cOn
ddetee to the Journalist who defends their Interests and
deDOunces Their wrongs" We caDdidy DeltVe that II
II for fear OF the press the corruption when
fold xreatSr and show itself with mOre efrontery But
the whoesoIne influence Of tine pres IL barrier 10
Official CRIME and political eOtruPhon P %ra a. tne
ttye they will increase their own haiety Dy eh-
srgdng Lis powers When the American press becomes
what II fast becOning-the undainted hntag0hZer OF
wrong in every snADe-the American Governments Will
inssrge oulness which now in part surtounds
lie legislative branch and become the stronger Oy reason
o. the stern lessons the goysrne eASss & n nv NV p
press heretofore pointed political corruption the truth
uttered anu hereafter whon the press denoances
such se Influence OF such den nuc Stlon VIII De
felt in baot-bOx To the journalist, Therefore and
the legislator will the people rely l1r represeha
i've thai is entirely honest.