Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-07-01

Ddu auu luuluclCut kOSetncfs 1uCIt
are as many true and good men in this
profession as any other-men who
have succeeded at other professions
and ayocations but we're drawn to this;
men who have carried q musket or
flashed a sword in the thickest strife
of many a bloody battle field, and who
in the relations of domestic, social
and com mercial life are above re-
proach and an ornament to society.
THE FIERCE STYLE
of personal journalism has passed away,
and the majority Of papers have adopted
that dignifed, impersonal tone Of edi-
torial which carries far greater weight,
and leaves the individuality of the
writer entirely out Of view. After
facts are stated aud premises laid,
questions are discussed upon their
merits. We have entered upon an era
of great commercial and industrial
activity. when this style will prevail,
In competitions of producers, manu-
facturers and tradesmen, accurate
statements must be had, Necessity
here in the South is making us close
calculating people. We had dropped
good deal Of gushing sentiment and
fine-spun theory, and come down to
practical business. More people look
at the market reports to see the price
of cotton, corn, tobacco, iron, pork
and other staple articles they deal in
or produce, than tura to the editorial
column to read labored political
leader. This is a hopeful sign for the
people and the press. If we will only
look after our material interests,
POLITICS
will take care of themselves. do not
decry the politicians, although he
comes at a high price, as the phrase
goes, for the science of government is
difficult, and its affairs can only be
successfully conducted by men of
peculiar fitness and training, but as
the politician is often the creature Of
the press, we of that guild owe it as a
solemn duty to the public and our
selves to be more particular than ever
in selecting or encouraging the raw
material. On this point, although it
may not be appropos, | am not sure
but it would be better to elect more
farmers and mechanics and fewer
lawyers to the Legislature and Con-
gress.
Journalism is rapidly becoming
A DISTINCT PROFESSION
from all others, requiring not only
good common education and years of
special training, but an aptitude Of
application and range Of reading and
general knowledge not considered es-
sential elsewhere. Many are called
aad few chosen. When one man drops
out and disappears in the surging
crowd another takes his place = a
dozen were ready and eager for it.
Such is life. Many struggle to get up
where there is room, breathing space
and little rest. Yet how few sue
coed in any of the vocations of life.
The newspaper profession has its pc
culiar fascination, aud it will always
be over crowded. Even those who
have been on the treadmill until they
have grown gray In the service, and
the sound of the grinding is low, hold
on with the utmost tenacity-"once an
editor always an editor" When one
of this class writes farewell address
to his readers announcing his retire
ment to the joys Of domestic life on a
quiet farm, look out for his salutatory
in some other paper in less than six
months.
THE over WORK ED JOURNALISTS.
After all that has been said about
the overwork, the drudgery and the
poor pay Of editorial life, there is a
good deal of misrepresentation on the
subject. and perhaps more drones in
the business than ought to be. Those
who succeed, those who win, and clint
their own ladder, find ample reward
and satisfaction for their efforts. The
LATEST workers are loudest grumblers
Who ever heard Of w. N. Haldeman
of the Courier-J Journal, who has beer
in the harness and at the head of ;
great paper over forty years, complain
ing of overwork? Or Horace Greeley
or WILDER f. Story, or John W. For
ney, Henry ]. Raymond, Murat Hal
stead, William Hyde, or any of the
great lights in journalism Yet mos
of these men, and many others worket
for over half a lifetime from fourteen
to eighteen hours per day, year in,yea
out.
When we consider the money, tim
and labor invested the power welded
J aueit pleasure enjoyed aud the grea
work that may be accomplished an
, arrived at on an average, it is quit
: likely that the result will compare fav
: orably with that Of any other profes
sion. Those who do their duty are gen
} orally respected and we'll enoungh paiC
4 1t is said that an old journalist, on tn
a Philadelphia Public Ledger has nc
r missed doing his editorial work on tht
paper a single day for abont thirt
+ years. What a splendid recordl Thel
is no danger that he will be forgOtte
s by his generous employer. There is
t journalist in my own city who has nj
+ missed a days work on one paper
. four years, although ne passed throuC
q two epidemics in the time and had Il
i affairs Of family and a newly acquire
d home to look after. These instance
t, which casually occur, illustrate Il
e persistence and even the herOism
y men in the profession.
IS Taken all in all it is a delight
o calling to those equipped with CONNIE
n sense, a good constitution and ca
al digestion, and the veterans hold
like old officers in the regular army.
TO THE YOUNG MAN
ct in the profession, or thinking Of e
lie tering, / would say it does not matt
e; so much as TO locality, so you ha