The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-01-03
"A Chapter About Editcrs,
From Chambers Journal.l

Newspaper editors are personageeS !
with whom, in the mind OF the pnbilc
at large, there las always been assoela-
ted certain degree Of mystery. There
is no class Of men whose work passes 50
directly and constantly before the pun,
lie eye; yet there are few with regard
to whose real position and functions
more vague, confused or erroneous no.
tons are entertained, even on the part
Of persons otherwise we'll Informed
This is no doubt largely due tothe anon
unity which is preserved in the 'newspa'
per press Of this country. Headers
come to identify the opinions Of par
ticular organ more with the sheet OF
printed paper, and with its distinctive
name and features, than with the indl-
yidual or individuals by whom it is d.
rected, and Of whom, it may be, they
know nothing.
The power and influence, with Their
attendant responsibility, exercised by
the editors Of our great newspapers, are
enormous. Thomas Carlyle once des,
cribed journalists us the true kings and
priests of the nation. The office so des-
scribed is most attractive one for
Young men in search Of career, especial
IL If they be fairly educated, and believe
tley are imbued with Tie fire Of genius.
The commoncst mistake Of such aspl'
rants 70 the editorial chair is that they
greatly underestimate the attanmeh's
requisite for such position. They
speak of taking to journalism" as il 1t
we're very sinpe matter TO be accom-
plishcd without much personal trouble
or Inconvenience, and never thinking OF
the long years Of patient work and va
ried experience which will have to be
undergone before they can reach the
point they have in view. Journalism
is now, and is becoming so every year,
n profession for which training Is re-
ouired. There have been instances in
which men Of brilliant parts and pro-
found erudtion have proved signal iaIl,
ures in the editorial chair, while men OF
inferior education and meaner intellect
ual powers, but with those indlspensa,
u bic oualifcaiious-tact, Judgment and
d expcrience-havc succeeded admirably
'tt under the same conditions. 1t is there
II fore quite erroneous for young man &c
< suppose that because he has had the adj
III vantage Of good education, writes
&c with facility and has notion OF suci
work, he can "takc to Journalism" anC
es surmuunt all difficulties, as it were
e, with a pair of sevcn.lcague boots.
IN Some years ago young man wrote t.
IS an American paper that he wanted t
Is be an editor and the reply which h
res received Is well worth producing here
e. " Canst thou" asked the editor, "dray
nd up leyia;han with a hook thou lettes
cr down? Canst thou hook up great idea
ns from the depths Of thine intellect, an
mt clean, scale and fry them at five min
OF utes notice? Canst thou write editC
he rails to measure? Canst thou write a
Sc editorial 10 Gt in three-quartcr coIum
'ct of the paper, which shall be in lengt
Just twenty-five inches, having tire
inches of fine sentiment, four inches 10
the beginning aud nine inches OF h0mo
Il in the middle, and an outburst OF mas
Inc i'm and prcccpt six inches long ut I'll
en-. close :"
This will, of course, be regarded as
bit Of facetious cxaggemtion on Il
Il part of the editor, and no doubt it was
ted but it really reflects certain neccssai
q 9 phases in the work OF u journalist. IL
=, portant intelligence frequently arrly
Ivy AT the newspaper Office within sho
0th time of the paper going press, and
ore the editor wishes to be upsdcs or ahe'
the Of his contemporaries, as most edlto
,nl do, he must have leading article
WV. u. the same subject in the same issue
'oh that in which the news appears. The
irst is not q moment to be lost ; indec'
We there may be scarcely time to pcrior
,ros the mere mechanical operation Of vi
r ting what has to he said, not 20 spci
''' of hunting about for an idea, an appl
nay pirate quotation, or choice form
, to expression. These must all, in the Ia
due guage of the American editor, be hoo
ivo ed up, cleaned, scaled and fried witho
delay.