Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1880-01-03
THE MISSION OF JOURNALISM.

| Now that the new year has begun, it might
be good idea for the Journals of Nevada to
STOP their petty sqnabbes and try aud elevate
| their profession ia plane which will enable the
outside world to recognize it as something de-
| cent and respectable. There are a class of
| sheets run by men bearing the same relation
| to journalists AS hod carriers do to architects,
| who consider that paper not be bright
without being abusive, readable without
| being gross y personal. These novices of the
profession have no higher aim than to sell
themselves for pittance, slobber over their
friends, lick the boots of their slperiors with
plant and ready tongues and black uard those
whom they personally dislike. The following
from the Bodie Free Press is a well-expressed
article on the subject
The profession of journalism ought to be n
honorable profession. A man VINO is fit to
put on record the history of the times, and
assume the part of censor upnn tho acts of
his fellowmen, should himself be a just man
and a gentleman. He should treat all sub
jects coming within the scope of his jonrnal-
istic comments fairly, and with the consider
| alton which their Importance demands The
discussions between newspapers on all points
of difference should be conducted in as
courteous manner as a verbal discussion be-
tween two gentlemen. We have never seen
any force impaired to an argument by vituper-
alton and the use of bad language. We have
seen the effect of many good argument de-
stroyed by an exhibition of i'll temper
Why is it that the proper course of conduct
YpOarI = AN
newspaper men7 WHY is it that, in their
public utterances respecting each other, they
are rule the most petty of cavaliers, and
the most uncourteous and uncouth of critics
DO the pnhlic require that journalists shall
enter a gladiatOrial arena, III which the weap-
ems, instead of the swords and spears of the
earlier ages, are chiefly Of the Chinese stink
pot order2 We shink not. We believe that
the public are more cleanly in their tastes
than are their literary caterers. The San
Francisco journals have set their rural con
temporaries over the coast very bad example,
in their manner of treating each other, and in
their treatment of public matters from a
purely personal standpoint, which example
has been too closely followed.
Perhaps the reason that tho journalistic
profession is not esteemed as it naturally de-
serves to be, is because its followers do not
ed to as hospital by uen who have failed at
everything else. It's ranks contain too many
scandal mongers, frauds, sneaks and black
mailers, whose only stock in trade is an ability
to say something which will hurt somebody.
Such Journalists, having no Repatriation them.
selves, are devoid Of self-respeot, and are
always free to attack the reputation of others,
directly or by innuendo, as may best serve
their purpose. or be the least tax upon their
courage.
So far IS the Free Press is cescsrned, if We
conld not maintsi decent amount Of self
respec. while engaged in its publication,
which is to be shown as much in the .erms
We apply to others IS in the tone We adopt
ourselves, we weuld atop at once.
However. our contemporaries may think
and act to the contrary, We can assure them
that ,hsre is nothing incompatible between
being journalist and gentleman.