Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-03-17

Albany News
A recent event in journalism has
brought the profession of editing and
the business Of newspapers into pub
lie notice. As there is a right way
and a wrong way of their being
brought into a public notice, a few
thoughts on the subject may be in
order. The permanenta and important
part of the newspaper is its opinions.
Who expresses them, or who ceases or
begins TO express them, is Of no public
concern. 1t is of concern to the
owners, just as the qualities Of an ex-
pert agent are. But the policy that
protrudes the personality of the editor
is now provincial, weakening, decreas-
ing, and will soon be unknown.
The reasons for this are sound; but
it is a fact which falls within the do
main of taste, and in the profession it
ought to be realized rather than rea-
,oned. Excellent reasons for usin
the fork to convey food to the mouth,
and against using the knife for that
purpose, could be given; but those to
Ehom such a practice has to be '.justi-
led will never require it. 1t is a
thing Of habit, a refinement. a usage
If good manners and right instincts.
SO is the i%mpersonality of journalism
Every solvent and influential nowspa
oer is permanency. 1t has no period,
ike the life Of a man Or a party. or a
ERIN of service. 1t goes on forever,
though men may come and men may
90. II is also the product of the CO.
perative labor of many minds, as
listed and controlled by one. Such an
mganization is essential, but no one
person is essential to it. The person.
lel may be changed at will. and
neither the internal force of the office
nor the public external 20 the paper
will be affected thereby. The former,
If course, will know il. The latter
Eill not know it, unless told, and
when told any interest they have in
t is not an interest Of Importance, but
only of curiosity.
From the newspaper point of view
it is inartistic and unbusiness-lik &c
parade the names and changes Of edi-
tors. The newspaper is an institution
that speaks for itself, or that ought tc
speak for itself alone. As an individ.
ual Of this kind. no individualit,
ought to shine through it, build on it
or play around it. 1t should Absorb
aud eclipse any individuality in il
service. Those with business {,
transact with it should always be abb,
to find the right person, whether own
er or editor; but the way in which. S,
to speak, it does business with itself
or within itself, is none of the public
concern. There is gain as well a
modesty in a newspaper keeping it
internal administration from publ
knowledge and from proclamation. |
c%heapens journalism for it to exhibi
machinery as well as its results.
makes every reader a self-constitute
editor Of editors. 1t discounts utter
} ances by the opinions formed of thi
one and that uttering them. 1t label
views with the impressions preyailin
about Brown, Jones or Robinso
l who is credited with them. 1t DESTROY
the respect whichreserve produces.
impairs the force of authority.
gives to comment the place Of ha
ranguo. 1t is destructive to the weigh
, that should go with the expression I
Judgment thoroughly matured and d,
5 5 elared in no form or spirit, or sense {
individuality, but with the conscious
. ness that it is the agreement of cor
sultlng minds, the conclusion ofmuc
y impartially considered eyidence-th
h testimony Of principles that are advt
e waited for and by large classes, and ii
a tempered result of the policy, histor
K and habit ola great profession and
9 great institution.
There is a great real and a great al
ptrent difference between the opinio
o Of a newspaper and the opinion of
9 man on the streets, be he an edit,
or a reader, as great as there
between the gossip Of a Judge out
: court and his decision Oh the hanel