National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-20

Democrat, is delivering q course of lectures |
before the Cornell students on journalism.
His subject on Tuesday afternoon was
"Journallsm rs a Professiou,n and so far
rs we can gather from the short newspaper
reports, the speaker did Justice to a great
theme.
We are glad to find that the average
salary Of n newspaper man 10 estimated at
500 against $3.50 for lawyer and $500 for
minister, though we are inclined to think
1t is only very average journalist who is
not worth more than the estimated differ
ence between his income and that of the
two other professions. However, let that
pass; there are more serious aspects OF the
case to be considered.
This profession" said Mr.. Fitch, "de.
mands singular conservation, special TT
ness, severe training, and generous culture
and, tried by the range Of its requirements,
II surpasses all other professions. 1t is
because journalism, rightly conceived, is
one of the most noble professions that
can confidently and conscientiously recon-
mend 1t to you"
1t Is customary to hear the press gen.
ing. In on abstract way 1t is referred to
In England as the fourth estate of the
realm, sud in this land Of the free It Is
Grackcted by friendly critics with the pulpit,
the school house, and the stage. Enemies
speak Of It in quite other terms, and jour
nalists, in their individual capacity-apart
from the Power OF the Press with capital
letters-hGvc been regarded as compounds
made up in about equal parts of gossip,
Gascon, Alsatian, and Bohemian. Within
a very few years, however, a marvellous
change has come over the spirit OF this
dream. The press speaks now with
force which is only second to
the school house, and with more authority
than ell the other professions combined. We
could mention the names of half dozen
journalists in the United States who have
more real power than all the statesmen,
lawyers, pulpit orators, scientific men, and
Office" said the New York editor; tive
nominate and elect Presidents Of the United
States from this oflice.n
In France more than half OF the dstiu-
guished public men are either directly con
nected with the press or have served an
| apprenticeship in that very practical school,
| Just think of Theirs, Ste. Beuve, Armand
Carel, GOmbetta, and Emile lie Girarlin in
the past; Of John Lemoinno, Jules Ferry,
Lockroy, Rochef0rt, and even the tumultu-
| Gus Cassagnac in our own time.
The one man in Spain who keeps alive in
| that country the traditions Of popular gov
eminent is Castelar,, and his only income Is
| derived from tue newspaper which lie edits
| himself
In England journalism Is strictly imper-
sonal, with very few exceptions, but Il
couple Of the London dailies can make or
unmake ministries. Labouchere and Justin
Mccarthy are towers of strength to what.
ever public cause they espouse, and John
Morley's direction Of the Pal Mall Gazette
brought philosophical radicallsm into prac-
tical politics and popular esteem.
With the exception Of Parnell nearly all
the prominent home rulers are journalists
| who have shown in house of commons,
previously given over to the power of the
! pulse, that brains and political knowledge
20 for more now than mere money bags 10
! the deliberations of civilized communities.
There are "hard cases" and dirty dogs
enough connected with such an enormous
institution as the press, but, upon the
whole, without compromising any modesty,
wo believe that printers and journalists are
the most humane, enlightened, and public
spirited body in existence, and we desire
no better company with which, II necessary,
to tread the "primrose path to the ever.
lasting bonfre.n