The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-21
THE INDICTMENT OF HOBBS.
"Personai Journalism" To Be Brought

''ferSOnal JOURNALISM TO BE Brought
Into Court-An Important Case.
From the Yazoo Delta Review
The news comes from Jackson that the
last grand jury found three indictments
against b. I. Hobbs, editor OF the Brook
haven Leader, for SANDER. The SANDER
consists Of publications with reference to
Jones S. Hamilton since his acquittal
This action of the grand jury again forces
into prominence the question Of personal
journalism. Heretofore we have reiriined
from taking any part in the discussion of
personal journalism which has been raging
so violently since the sad tragedy in which
John Martin and Gen. Adams lost their
lives. We have taken no part, because
the writer Is one OF those against whom
the charge of personal journalism has been
brought, and therefore his remarks might
be taken as the utterances Of special
pleader, and lack the influence their in
trinsic merit would demand. In tho first
place let IL be understood that we do not
approve OF all Hobbs has said since the
great trial ended. After n Jury of his
peers had declared Hamilton innocent OF
the awful crime charged against him. we
thought the best interests OF all concerned
could best DO promoted by following after
the things which work for peace. Hobbs
is our warm personal friend, the soul of
honor, with courage which is reckless al
most TO ioolhardiness.
He is indscreet to fault in many of
his uttcrnccs. He Is never false, but
often unwise. He has said great many
tbinsa ,pbfch could h.ua k,n,, l,fl ,,,.,sl
and still the balmy breezes would have
blown ~ softly, the sun would have lost
no brilliancy, the moon swung tides, aud
sun-bon currents OF the sea would have
rolled as before.
But while We do not approve Of the
course of the LsddeT's editor, In its entirety,
VIC are equally far from joining in the
scnseless and indiscriminatc cry against
personal journalism. Tho outcry against
that style OF journalism is composed prin-
cipally OF idiotic drivel and hypocritical
SWIVEL,
II comes from three sources. Fint are
the people who, not knowing the facts,
imagine that these newspaper charges are
made TO work up sensation, aud that
they cngender strife aud bloodshed with
out any compensating good. Hence they
condemn il. II their premises were true,
their conclusions would be Just, and they
have the advantage OF being honest in
their opinions. The next class who get
on their behind legs and howl at personal
journalism is composed of officials and
public men who, II their records were cx-
posed, would be sunk in oblivion and dis
grace. They know this-hcnce their kick.
A case in point is that Of a prominent
man who recently made speech, mos, OF
which was dcnuncintion OF personal Jour
nalism. The question naturally rose,
whats the natter Is he a moral leper
and iear EXPOSURE" And then IL was re-
membcred that some years ago important
court records suddenly disappeared and he
was disagreeably mixed up with their dis
appearance, in 30 much 80 that he was
compelled to resign an honor his party had
conferred ON him.
The last and most contemplate class Is
composed OF newspapers which "creak the
pregnant hinges OF the knee that thrift may
follow Awning" Papers which dare not
expose crime, however great, II thereby
they endanger themselves personally, so
cially or financially. These men liil up
their hands in hypocritical horror ut per.
sonal journalism aud ae more reckless
than Others in their abuse Of those who
have been under their displeasure.
No man in the State has hal more 10
say against personal journalism than
Henry, Of the Clarion LeJgr. and no man
has been more bitterly and vituperatively
personal than Henry has been against
Frank Burkitt and the Gar Of Russia.
There are two kinds Of personal journal
ism. There Is the common sense Journal
ism and darn fool journalism. The cir.
cumstanccs in each case must decide
whether IL Is justihable or not. And he
who decrics personal journalism indiscrim.
inately writes himself down a criminal or
an ass.