Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-01-25

USING THE NEWSPAPER. 81 Journalism" i
iaVorIte theme ior ucwspapc. writer's, Saws
the Hartford Courant, bu.. after all. it is nor
one 10 which newspaper readers are especially
Interested:
1t is a maxim thst msn Ia ks best, and 50
writes best, about tn*t in which he takes most
Interest aid ye. the G!cf-Iticn of bore is that
he Is pcrs2 n who lwys talks about himself
For newspaper, therefore, however earnest, 70
be perpetuslly TALK: about itself and the pro-
fcSslon which is forming about is borCus and
matter 70 be aTOGeL; anu 80, two, common
policy would seem 70 suggest that the perpetual
declaration in type that the newspaper yields
vast influence by which the public a-e uncon-
sciously swayed and even guided would haye q
tendency TO Sc: people on the guard agsiast be-
III so affected, and so would weaken the infu-
| ence.
! But occasionally there comes under editorial
notcs such dagrant instances of the utter mis-.
understanding OF the nature and purpose of The
newspapers, By people wishing to use then, that
despite the possibility Of be ny porous to soma
seli,respect demands definition OF position.
| Such an instance IS the recent receipt at this
office Of q letter from "graSshppper sufferer
OF Kansas, who with his family, hss undergone
severe loss, and tearS sctuai starvation this win
ter He longs to come back east with mis- wife
and children. But how does he propose TO
conn? He does not write and ask direct aG he
does not solicit starting subscription for him
he does not want food and clothing sent to him
he is probably too honorsbly proud for that.
WHAT ne wants is to have the Couraat print
! letter viii. he eDcloses. That letter entitled
| Homes tor F.rmers," give. most glowing
and enthusiastic account or the Eden about him,
tells OF lis thousand advantages, represents the
happy independence of all who will settle there,
and is as sweetlC persuasive Il. Jay Cookies
| circular. ct It Is aoou; the very region from
which ne i: t,y Ing to escape If he will secure
its publication the railroad companies will pass
him east. Tha. Is, We csn help an OLD New
Englsnder back TO his home" if We will merely
publish an srticlc which is expected to beguile
en- ugh New Eng anders out 10 the place that he
fees from 10 COLE pensate for the COS: OF sending
him bsck here We sre fond o: New England
ers, and sorry for those in distress, GU, our hu-
manity is not OF The sort that beljev in helping
| one by decelvlng twenty.
| His is indeed somewhat broader case than
those receptions which usually seek sewspaper
| assistance. bu, the MAI Is typical Of whole
| swarm Of igno-an.s or rascas who regard the
daily paper a. mere. J grlndstone for their
| axes and make one o. the CHIEF !sbors OF edl-
| tori.i work 20 be the constant search for some
scheme for personal advancement hidden in
| every communication received. Such q thing
. would not be inasl aabe IN a'.y ct -er reputable
business. The man who calls fifteen ounces q
pound is scsnow dg-i 20 be ches:, and WHO
ever tries 20 sell sn Intelligent msn shsm gold
for real is knave aid fool too: bu: whoever
deceives y newspaper into pu oshing something
| which shall ms.esd lts thousands OF readers to
the advantage OF one, prldes himself on cred
liable pe.to:naac-, and sets out TO resp the
pr it,
The newspaper is renier Of iu:or nation.
! Fo. So much :hc year i. Undertake; 10 inform
! its reafers OF " nat the rid Is doing. In It's
own c,rner II takes the opportunity 10 presch
lis daily Sermon, which some parsons take the
opportunity 10 read but It's bushes: i: 10 relate
| fscts. Just SO often as It makes wil:ul mis-
statement 1t chests lts readers; 80 often A. II
| makes sn uaic.en.ional statement it loses
confidence. Is business is - tell the truth.
| Honors5ly conducted and made trustworthy,
newspaper may uutast parties, men generations,
| governments and exist so long as the tendency
| to read prevails; bu. wnea it oils to do that,
and lends iLseli t. grinding axes it ceases 10 Ie-
serve confidence; i! will 10: be very long before
confidence deserts it Hence the numerous
deaths in the realms OF 'journs ism" and in
iorgetiutness OF this :sct are developed the brief
careers OF the putting editors.
These Characters are known and recognized,
AID their Inclination 20 sccep: Is equal 70 every
s!tuAtlon. They have Cas-. stigma on the word
press trC ID II" way they press their own !n-
! terests and they Tsva b!ougl: il 70 b: consider
| 50 by many persu-. pe..'e:ua! begsa.. The
| respectable new$paps. Is not 8 o@ggs. 10. tick
| ets, or 10. snytailg e.se .: more v.Iue I1il.l
| exchange o. tavo:s !: may % 5 paciy 20, Oh: i.
! gives more than /. taxes WIN Conducted hon
urso!y. To receive a lwe.:y- ce.. ticket -
8 charity entertain ne!-t u-la:'d 4! ove: Free
{ the Press, is on % .-ce:T- n. proof BE-
sides lha. from k-n>.S. of ;na prevailing g2cc-
arce Of Whist nev Sraper ho."- /.