Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-04-24


Nothing more clearly illustrates the
weakness Of human nature than the desire
for certain kind Of publicity exhibited in
the society journals. The man or women
who has done some particularly creditable
thing, MS the saving Of life at great per
sonal risk, the writing Of good book, or
anything else to be proud OF, may be
pardoned for qualification Mt seeing the
merit therefore acknowledged by the pub
lie press. The feeling IN such cases May
he attributed to proper degree Of self.
esteem, which should he fostered and en-
conraged. The weakness referred to be-
comes apparent when the publicity is de-
sired without any meritorious action as a
basis, and Is e1empli6ed by our otherwise
esteemed contemporaries in their columns
devoted TO "socieiy noles." Therein is to
be found weekly collection OF announce
ments that are Of no possible interest to
the public, and are published merely to
crafty the vanity OF people who in great
majority of cases would never by any acci-
dent or design find themselves connected
with an event Of sufficient Importance to
be worth chronicling in journal OF the
day. 1t is assumed TO be an honor for
man or woman to be named by n reput-
able paper, in connection with an honor.
able affair of general ipiereat. But every.
body does not have the energy or oppor.
tunity TO receive notice In that way.
Hence some people, of questionable taste,
| solicit or consent TO publicity IN connec.
tion with events 40 trlling and nninter.
esting as only thinly TO veil their worth.
less ambition. AT great expense OF time
and study, Mr.. A. has prepared u lecture
on come timely subject, the delivery of
which is commended by the press. Mrs.
B. sings delightfully."- at the Tabernacle in
aid OF the poor and is applauded in PRINT.
MIR. G. don't know enougl, or is too lazy to
originate n lecture, but he has mony enough
TO go to the exposition, and secure AS big
n notice Of his departure In the society"
column of a Sunday paper rs did Mr.. A..
for his talent and energy. Mrs. d. can't
sing or is not charitably inclined, but she
can give tea party and have her name
printed in email caps, by postal card to
the editor OF the Sunday Flap Doodle. All
four are now public characters to the ex-
tent at least OF the same number OF lines
or inches of printed matter, and Mr.. e.
and Mrs. ID. are perhaps M happy M If
they had done something worth mention.
ing. The effect of this prostitution Of the
newspaper columns-if indeed the name
is not a misnomer-is TO magnify the
worthless incidents OF life at the expense OF
the noteworthy; to drag down merit to the
dead level of medlocrty, If not lower; and
TO make self respecting and discrminat-
ing people dislike to see their names
and affairs in print. The strength and
beauty of social life is in it's privacy.
The ordinary events Of the parlor are
as much out OF place In print ~ those
OF the chamber. The ban of displeasure
should be visited upon whoever bridge.
the gull between the private and public
affairs of lite or brings them together in
the same catalogue-when these private
affa irs are normal and right. The rule
should be that no social affairs should
be aired in print unless for some nm
pleasant peculsrity that Of itself drew
aside the veil of privacy. But 80 long
rs there are vulgar Or misletl people who
find pleasure in mere notoriety-for tha
is all that can possibly be gained by sucl
, notlces-the rule will not be observed n
generally as good sense requires. There
is one satisfaction in thinking OF th
} matter-nobody is obliged TO read tn
columns Of directory like society" note
and il is our conviction that few peopl
| do.-C2ereldad Penny Press.