Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-18
JOURNALISM.
Its Influence, Duties and Re-
spOnsibilities.
Address OF Tom ". Neal, President OF
the Tennessee Press Associate on, az
nIurf-naahnro Kaaferdnr.

~
the Tennessee Press Association, az
MurfreesbOrO, Yesterday.
Gentlemen Of the Tennessee Press AssO-
citation: The chronic financial crisis which
for many months has prevailed in every
part of our country, seems not to have left
the business Of journalism unscathed by
its blighting touch. Many journals have
ceased TO exist and a general shrinkage of
circulation and advertising sttests the fact
that a sound financial condition is as much
the interest of the newspaper proprietor as
any other of the great and ramified indus
tries Of the county. As j urnalists, we
are, therefore, stimulated not only by the
highest patriotic considerations and a prop
er regard for the welfare of our country
men, for whose veal we earnestly and con-
tinuOusly labor, but by an intelligent self
interest TO give the influence of the press
TO a correct and successful solution Of all
great financial, industrial and educational
problems. The first thing to be considered
Oy the journalist, in connection with this
view Of the matter, is to encourage by all
the arguments, facts and appeals which he
may legitimately bring to bear, the addition
to our population Of intelligent, industrious
and Y,rtuous immigrants, WHO will not only
add to the wealth, production and pros
perity Of the country, but will also form a
large and reliable clientage to the journals.
It must be borne in mind that however
great immigration may be, if it is not COM
posed Of the class described, it will neither
be of advantage to the journalist or to. the
country at large. An idle class bring no
profit to any interest, but on the contrary
will be a clog to advancement and pros
perity. The same may be said of an ignO-
rant or vicious acquisition to our pOpula-
tion. 1t is one Of the most noticeable facts
in connection with the right Of suffrage 10
some hundreds Of thousands Of persons, by
an amendment to the Federal Constitution,
that neither the influence or profit OF the
newspaper press was increased thereby
fact which mention only to show that an
accession Of ignorant persons who cannot
read, or if they could, are not sufficiently
enlightened to understand social or pOliti-
ical problems, does not contribute 70 extend
the influence Of the press.
The next point demanding cur united
support and counsels, is the encouragement
Of manufacturing industry in our portion
of the country. I need not argue TO you,
gentlemen, who have so often considered
this great industrial problem with refer
ence to the prosperity OF our State, how
important is this question TO our profession,
as well as to the country at large. The
natural advantages with which nature, in
her prOdigality, has endowed our great
State, and the vast resources Of stream,
mine and production, not TO mention our
salubrious climate, are so well understood,
that in a convention Of professional jour-
nalists It would be out Of place TO dwell
upon them. may, however, be pardOned
for mentioning the fact that in no countries
are public journalists better sustained OF
appreciated than in densely populated
manufacturing districts, both in this and in
the old world.
have heard it asserted by we'll posted
persons that the Manchester Guardian,
which I've seen on file in the Memphis
Cotton Exchange, is the most thriving and
prosperous journal in the world, not even
excepting the so-called Thunderer, the
London Times, or our great American
dailies. Manchester is the center Of cotton
manufacturing industry, while London is
one Of the greatest general manufacturing
cities in the world. So Of New York, our
great commercial emporium. All Of these
cities are even more pTe-eminent as manu-
featuring than as commercial centerS. The
reason for the extraordinary prosperity Of
great journals, in such districts, Is that
manufactures multiply and foster intel
ligent working men and women, who are
readers Of newspapers and customers in
other ways. No one can glance ct the
smple pages Of the great journal 10 which
l have referred, without being impressed
with the eminent ability Of its editorial
management, its liberal and progressive
tone and the evidences which abound in its
advertising columns of large and enduring
material prosperity. One can but be struck
with the fact that in no part Of It's news,
reading or editorial columns is there the
least trace of paid putting, business
notices or personal advertising.
These matters, which pertain TO
purely personal profit, are strictly confined
to the columns appropriated to advertise
menls. Its political tone is independent
and unbOught. It's news columns and 10
cal reports are confined rigidly to facts
which interest the general reader. What
ever is paid for is distinctly set forth as
such. notwithstanding it may interest lin
tied parties or classes, who may read it with
avidity and who perhaps buy the paper with
the special view of obtaining such infOr-
nation. This fact illustrates how the
journal conducted on proper business p-in-
ciples may legitim2tely multiply its Gus
TONERS. In the single item of "wants," it
may be affirmed that in a reading cOmmu-
nifty, a. least as many persons buy the pa
per to asceTCain what is wanted as there
are persons who wish to make known their
"wants." Thus, O,e customer briggs an
other. There are perhaps sometimes ten
fold, or even a hundred fold VITO desire 70
learn what are the novelties Of the season,
TO one who wishes to sell his novelties.
Hence, advertising is a large source Of read
ing patronage aud Tr"i. in great dailies,
and proportiOnatelys 50 III county weeklies.
But must Il he inferred that the advertiser
should therefore be permitted to insert his
bid for customers grstUitously, because
he brings other customers? By no
means: no more so than the read
er should receive his paper without charge
because the advertiser wants customers
who are supplied By coming the papers.
The true state Of the case s that the news
paper brings together the buyer and seller
in the two interested parties and cOnfers a
mutual benefit upon both. But the news
paper should 90 10 farther than this.
Alas, how few of cur metropolitan dailies
will, and how few of our country weeklies
can, stop here, but sandwich a business
puff of John Smith between editorials on
The Duty Of the Hour" and "A Patriots
Love Of His Country" The editor should
not step aside to commend the wares Of
his customer. or to puff him, with or with
out fee, unless he proposes to publish 4
mere advertising sheet. The business Of
his customers should be and is wholly in
different to him as il is 10 most Of his
readers, save 50 far IS it is commended BY
their own statements and character. He
impaiIs his Judicial impartiality and wholly
DESTROYS the influence Of his editorial YER
diets BY STOPPING to concern himself and
annov his readers with the interests and
mercenary matters Of his trade customers.
He has done enough for them in return
for their patronage by publishing their
own statements, and has obliged 4 p1T-
ton Of the public besides. Here
his agency ends, and 10 60 farther impairs
his influence and puts the censOrious on
their guard against his too apparent ard
paid flr partially. His editorial columns
should be as vigilantly guarded as was the
sanctum sanciCTum Of the IsraelitiSh priest.
Not that he must not AXE counsel, and not
thai he must never advocate principles or
enunciate policies from which lie reaps an
advantage. But his ad, antage will be
found in the approval and encouraging
support Of his readers who, as. the fruits Of
his malicious labOrs unfold themselves, are
more and more partially inclined 10 his