Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-17
sUPERCILLOUs POsslsLY.
The Condition OF One Great Ed
itor Upon Another.
Na,hyllle B.npor, Is.

Nashville Banner, Is.
The New York World considers
Mr.. Henry Watterson bright sensa-
tionalist, but can scarcely be regard
ed as q representative Of sound Demo
cratic judgment and principles" This
is a reiteratiOn Of ex-senator BAiley's
opinion when he said to q Banner re-
porter, in reply to the question, rs
Speaker Carlisle in full sympathy with
Henry Watterson on the tariff Ques
tion?"
"0h, undoubtedly, he is in sympa-
Thy abstractly with that idea, but he
has more brains than Watterson, and
therefore will avoid the errors which
. man like Watterson would be Ger
tain to commit. Casliale has shown
this in disposing Of thu chairmanships
Of the important committees. By his
conservative action he has dispelled
much Of the prejudice which existed
against him in certain quarters prior
to his election. If Watterson had
been elevated 10 such position he
would have FIRST rewarded his friends
and then punished his enemies. This
is Watterson's idea OF craftsmanship.
Carlisle has not done this 2"
Aud these expressions point the
sentiment Of every public man, or for
that, every private individual, who
has an intimate acquaintance with
Mr.. WAtterson sopiuions or has closely
studied the questions Of the day. He
is brilliant, but il Is the brilliancy Of Z
sky rocket, aud not that Of the steady
glow ola strong and graspihg intellect,
Be squick to catch up the thoughts
Of greater men, and equally asquick
to give them utteranoe as his own
through the columns Of his paper, OF
to run about the country telling then
to whatever audiences may assembl,
TO hear. He is By no means big enough
Tor leader Of great party, or, In
deed, any considerable fac
ton OF party, and has beer
given far more prominence in public
print than his merit deserves. True
| il is to the interest Of Republicans Il
take up bis wild rawlings and charg,
them upon the Democratic party, Of,
pressing as its policy and principles
but why Democratic editors Of sens
should treat them with 50 muel
seriousness is mystery. The man i
entirely wanting in every character
istic Of . successful leader, AM
, wholly incapable Of formulating
public policy that would serve part
,, or benefit the people. The very fac
] Of his eagerness 10 thrust himself an
: bis views into public notice units hiI
D for leader, even had he the ability
ill such a place. A man pulled up wit
himself is not the one to whom other
can look for safe opinions and wis
counsel. And Mr.. Watterson's inoI
i dinate egotism is we'll instanced in th
q mention Of his controlling desire
q have the newspapers of the country
\ copy and comment upon his writing
a aud sayings. When ho made a speec
i to the free trade club OF New YorE
: he previously prepared it and sent
). in manifold form to all leading paper
4 in the country in order to induce il
d publication or comments upon il, b
' thus furnishing it in advance. Thi
: instance marks his methods {
!. getting before the public an
a in gratifying his insatiate greed "a
notoriety We are surprised this
2 so sensible paper as the Nashvill
z American could be led from its dut
to tbs public into occupying its spac
and time by giving so much attentio
to Mr.. Watterson's vApory and attenu
d ated outpourings Of the free trad
: heresy. He not only grossly misreI
Q resents southern Democratic sent
Q ment, but as well entirely fails to Civ
e expression to the views and convic
7 tons Of Mr.. Carlisle and other pre-
q nounced revenue reformers.
8 We have thus noticed our friend
!. the Courier Journal for his own goo
, and that Of the party to which be hold
allegiance.