The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-03-22
THE AMENITIES OF JOURNALISM

Orleans Democrat. The editors OF these
papers are asssiling each other by name in
their respective columns and invading the
precincts Of each others private characters
and social relations, all Of which is wrong,
and SO far Us il concerns the public, stale and
Improbable. Both these papers are good
ones, ably edited and newsy, and each one
has its field of usefulness, It's mission OF
coed, and we regret, rs must tho public Of
New Orleans, to SEQ them 10 far forget the
amemenities of Journalism us to condescend
to personalities, personal abuse and mutual
vituperation. Two newspapers thst differ as
to line of policy affecting the public, or a
measure in which tho public welfare is at
stake, can calmly and courteously discuss
such policy or measure, each one advance
ing ne iorcibly and as pungently as possible
the reasons for tho faith that is In it, without
falling out, without becoming angry and
bsndying epithets. Because one journal
may differ from another in It's views, that ia
no reason why its motives should DO inn
puged. The dry goods merchant who
may offer his wares at lower
price than his neighbor may just
as well and rs reasonably DO accused by that
neighbor of having disbor-sL purposes IN
view, OF desiring TO speedily convert his
merchandise into cash that hc NAV awiudlO
his creditors, as for newspaper that defines
It's position on a certain question of momon.
to the public, and that is ngi,aiing the public
mind, that position being antagonis.ic 70 tho
belief Of It's newspaper uoigbb9r, 50 be hc-
cused of sinister purpose and disgepGAble
practices by that ueigh0or. lti5a hmenls.
bic fact that there are ,housaAd5 Of people
in tho country, hundreds indeed in eyory
community, and not few OF whom nre
themselves engaged in journalism in
some capacity, who do not recognize
and appreciate the fact thai publsaiog a
newspaper is simply u business undertaking,
an ayocation ia life for the making OF n live
lihood and the amassing of q fortune, just
like selling dry goods, or clothing. or grocer.
les, or making shoes, or building houses, or
burning brick or any other honorable and
legal pursuit in life 1t is MI occupation with
It's various departments ull employing one or
more men TO fill them, Just like any merchan-
tlle.occupation, and just like them il has its
amenities and it's guild obligations. The
mission of the respectable press Of
the country Is An exalted and
most honorable one, In lis true mission it
not only diilues and disseminates Knowledge
in the shape of the currout news Hll over and
throughout the country, but it goes 10 the
iresdes Of tho land, teaching purity and
morality to all, intoxicating the lessons Of
patriotism and of jus ice in The minds Of
young and old. 1t is the co.worker and
helper of the minister in his pulpit; Of tho
teacher in his school-room; Of tho statesman
in the council chambers of tho nation; of the
philanthropist working for his fellow-man,
It's aim and its every ellor. is to build up, TO
advance, to develop, to purify, to onnobc, to
mako good that which is bad, and better
that which is good. With such
n mission, and working in field so extensive
and grand, is it not very repsehensible to
prostitute it TO the ignoble and unholy rur-
poses of personal abuse and yituperatlon, TO
make Of il q vehicle for ones private onmi.
ties and splcens? If it DO true that news
paper is but n journalistic harot land such
are scattered here and there, alas through
out the country), selling its favors to the
highest bidder, or at regular SGT prices,
advocating or opposing any mcssurc for
money, tho fact soon becomes apparent,
the world shortly learns it and
IL wields no influence. Then
why should q respectable and virtuous nows-
paper rail against il and stoop to WACO war
of bilingsgato with it, than does somo true
woman bemcau herself by stopping on tho
to show her contempt and loa.hipg
for tho scarlet woman she chances TO meet?
As W. said above, the publication of nows.
paper Is SIMPLY Legitimate business venture,
and so being, IL has vast deal Of its space
for sale, to DO filled by advertising matter
II Is legitimate for it TO soil portion on all
of thi. space for the discussion of any public
question, such discussion being in tho shape
of communications, but il is
not Legitimate for newspaper to sell il;
editorial opinions. They belong TO ihop por
for its exclusive use, and if it be true paper
An honest and honorable pnpor, all the money
in chri,tendom could no! buy limo of lis
editorial mslier, could not buy word of i,s
commentator or Of it condemnation. That
It gives on all questions wherein aro Involved
the public interests without money and with
opt price, upon principle, honestly and con-
scicntiously feeiug and believing what Il
says. And being honest, truo and truthful,
itself, no Newspaper has tho right TO mpugn
the motives OF another that may dillcr
with II. If the Democrat can
show that tho Picayuno prostituted its odito.
risl columns for money against tho cilys
welfare, Then 1t is doing good service; but to
ills end personal abuse is no, proper, logical,
nor inexpedient. In dealing With one another
on questions of policy or principle, oarnal
lists should so conduct An argument as II