The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-07-23
[London Spectator
The Editorial Writer of To-day.

With an exception or two, for cases in which
the writer is burning with rancor or prejudice,
the tone of the journalistic writing of to-day is
curiously hesitating aud tentative, mora espec-
tally when it refers to current events, upon
which the next hour may bring an unforeseen
telegram. This is quito remarkable in the
Times, once very absolute in toue, but 1t ex-
tends more or less to the whole body of jour-
nails, and is only concealed from the public by
a few traditionary assumptions, such as the
use oil the impersonal "we," originally adopt
ed as defense against prosecutions, and now
justified by the corporate character of most
newspapers; and by the necessity, under
which every journalist labours, of avoiding
qualifying phrases, as at once tedious aud un-
meaning 1t seems very arrogant to say, "We
think, and the people Of this country think
so-and-so; but it would not be arrogant il tho
writer said, 81 think, and l fancy, as far a, I
can judge, most Englishmen also think"
which is all he means to convey in that COM
pressed phrase. The air of infallibiIity is moth
ing more than the air of confident assertion
of Commons, except Mr.. Gladstone, speaks,
and is neither meant to impose nor, so far as
we can read public mind imposes.
That there was once and to a certain extent
is still one kind of arrogance peculiar to jour
nalists is true enough. BY an odd but natural
confusion of ideas, the man who knows that he
is addressing a hundred thousand readers is
apt to fancy there is in him the voice of a hum
dred thousand men, more especially when he
is addressing a government which will not go
his way. He forgets his own want of certainty
that his readers will agree with him, and talks
as if he represented the multitude whom he is
only a, dressing. That peculiar form of allu-
sion q y, however, out of the great influence
which, Or short time, journals had over
opinio an influence which was owing TO the
accide. Il concurrence of great ability on the
press a very narrow suffrage, mainly of
one We of thinking, and which is now disap-
pearins as it is seen that newspapers are more
and mo. read and less and less accepted with
implicit confidence
The journalist of to- day is either an expound-
er or, at most, debater, who contributes what
is in him to the mass of useful discussion upon
which government by opinion rests. As such
he is a very useful member Of the community
and may even become powerful one, and is
no more to be put down by Lord Sherbrooke
than by Mr.. Golden. The latter wished pub
licly-as by the way, Robespierre did, in his
secret papers-that journals should be confined
to news, and should give no opinions. Lord
Sherbrooke does net wish that, and is content
that the opinions should be published, but can
not conceal his scorn that, when published,
anybody should accept them. 1t is better for
every man to form his own views, but why he
should not listen to Mr.. Lowe i'll the Timess
"leader'' as well as to Mr.. Lowe speaking for
Kidderminster, we confess we do not see. The
turns of debate demand speed as much
as the necessities of the printing machine and
the thought expressed in writing ought to be
at least as clear as the thought expressed in
sdeech. 1t is good deal clearer sometimes,
if We have been unjust to the reporters, and if
they have not made mincemeat of Lord Sher-
brookes Mansion House speech on journalism.