The Russellville Democrat., 1876-02-17
WHOLESOME FOR EDI-
 TORS.

WHOlESOME H. FUN IDA
 TORS.
 The following wholesome talk to the editorial fraternity is from that fearless paper the New York Sun and is worthy of the careful perusal of every member of the press. TEere is more re- sponsibility attached to the posi- tion of a public journalist than a casual observer would perhaps suppose, and we sometimes fear that even those who would wield the pen do not realize the weight of responsibility resting upon them. The influence exerted by the press is not denied at this age by any and to mould public sen timent correctly should be the great care of those who have the welding of the pen. But we can not do better on this subject than Ito submit the Sun article, which follows:
 It becomes our duty at times to sound the note of warning or to blow the blast of encouragement to our brethren of the newspaper press. The danger with editors is that they are apt to fall into a purely perfunctory way of doing their work. This is fatal to v!g- orous and aggressive journalism. The captain who leads a column in this grand army of assault on ignorance, wickedness, and pub lie indifference, must never let his sword know its scabbard.
 The beginning of the centennial year is a fitting time to call all the editorial chiefs to the front, and to address them a few re- marks touching the opening cam paign, and how best to perform their several points in it. As we run our eye along the line, we feel a thrill of pride at the sight of such a fine looking and intellect ual body ot mer. We hope that we shall long serve together, and test our mettle on many we'll fought field.
 What makes this year so m portant in q journalistic sense, Is the circumstance that 1t Is the hundredth anniversary of oul Declaration of Independence, from which dates the real foundation of an American newspaper press
 and also the year in which ou'
 free citizens cast their votes fol
 president of the the United States These are two great events tt !, crowd into the twelvemonth. It adequately treat them and rightly r to perform thelr duties in view O
 them, the editorial force mus
 needs employ all their talent ,an( all their vigilance.
 We look to see an unusual pub lie interest in newspapers thl' year. To meet that interest ant , to satisfy it our brethren of th' , press must spare no effort. WI , urge them to seriously contem
 plate the situation, and to g
 forth prepared to treat it cour ageously and successfully l business depression has lessene' the profits and circulation of som
 of the journals, that is hut tenn poraiy V matter. The loss will sool be regained. We see by our owl r steady progress that the prosper
 ity of our neighbors is secure
 they make honest and able papers
 and rightly supply the pubii needs. Just now, however, the. 3 are too cut and dried. Some c p the editorial pages weary the eys {, and the impatient reatter pl.ie ' the poor fellows who grind out d
 this stuff, and wonders why the + do it. We do not blame tll Y writers. Writing when you hay I nothing to say is hard. Spreae
 ing out modicum of ideas oye
 a great space too often produce t thinness. The better way, II 70 Il feel your ideas giving out, IS e stop, eveu if you haven't used u
 all your paper. To sum 1t all ul Il the most desirable thing about T. newspaper office is brains. W | commend these thoughts to o. n brethren generally. And a f through the country we ma th' the newspaper army has eniiste 'V the best talents and most intrepl IS spirits of the several communitle ,f It is pleasure to be enrolled |. stich a company.