The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-25
@. A. Dana Lectures in Milwaukee.
The Press and the Mon Who Are
Required to Push 1t Forward.
The Newspaper an Indication of In
tellectual Development.
Freedom Is Essential to the Produc-
ton Of Great Newspapers.
No Room for an Ignoramous In tho Pro
fession. and no Man Can be Taught
Journalism in a College-No
Calling Like It.

MINIATURES, July -. Charles A. Dana,
editor Of the New York Nm, delivered an
address this evening at the Academy OF
Music to the Wisconsin Editorial associa-
ton. The hall was crowded, and the vet
Gran editors discourse was warmly ap-
plauded.
Mr.. Dana began with the statement that
he had great desire 10 come TO Milwaukee,
aside from his wish TO meet the Wisconsin
editors. The body before him represented
all shades Of religion and politics, and he
was glad TO meet them. He had seen
Wisconsin soldiers ON the battle. field, and
they never flinched. The speaker said he
began newspaper work ON weekly liter.
AIRY paper, which meant that il was issued
once every week. Laughter Tho weekly
edition OF that sheet was 500 copies, which
would not compare very iavonbly with
the present daily paper which literally ran
a mile II minute. [Applausc In the
modern newspaper tie intellectual and
the mechanical department joined to
produce the daily paper Of
today, which was one Of the wonders Of
the world. He paid a tribute TO the re-
porters, who, he said, would SOC at once
through n deception, aud could on occa-
sion set one up for themselves. Laugh
ter. A good word was also put in for the
editorial writers and the correspondents.
the latter Of whom covered the earth in
their search for facts. The modern paper
Is possible only in thIckly settled, civil.
lied country, which demands IL. II Is u
mark OF high intellectual development
that country demands such q pubica.
ton. As compared with Europe, America
was far in advance. In the whole OF the
British Islands there were not more than
half dozen papers which would compare
with these Of this country The same
criticism held good In regard 10 the news
papers Of Germany. There the papers were
remote from the people; here the press
was close 10 the people The atmosphere
Of freedom was essential 10 the produc-
ton Of great newspapers. A distinction
should be made between American and
European definitions 4 freedom. In
France the daily paper would have one
well written essay, bui the remainder Of
the sheet would be flled with matter
which in America WDnld be considered
immatcrial. The newspaper must furnish
the information the people desire or II
will be failure. Tie first thing looked
for was news, and by that word the
speaker meant anything which would in
tcrcst the people. In this connection ho
said that whatever divine providence per.
mittcd TO occur he wa not too proud 10
report. Applause and laughter
SO important was the function Of
the newspaper that colleges were establish.
ing classes for instruction In journalism.
Notwithstanding this, Mr.. Dana had heard
an old newspaper editor say that such
classes were useless, because the only
place 20 learn the business was In q news
paper Office. The oil division Of learned
men was clorgymen, doctors aud lawyers,
but now, that there must be newspaper
men, they must be educated. A remark
able thing about the sort Oi education Of
newspaper men was that Il should be- uni
ycrsal. lie must know great many
things, and the better he knows them the
better lac will be in his profession. There
was no chance for an ignOamns in that
profession. Applause. Everybody lad
est boy was mndn lawyer, the
who was not good f0r much was made
oi the speaker that was q very much mis-
taken application OF the THIRD man, "bc.
cause" said he, vcry imprcssiycly, III
there Is any occupation which ought 10
command the highest lalcnts Of men, IL IL
that occupation which teaches how 10 live
In this life and how b. hope for another"
4 1 lkat -
know whether the theology Of the preacher
IL sound, whether tho physiology OF the
doctor il good and whether the logic Of the
lawyer il good for anything. Applause.
II possible lac should BE- sent 10 college.
But, what was morc important, he should
be sent 20 the school a practical life. The
man who WIS 10 be icachcr and adviser
Of men must learn 10 ,rnch ~ well ~ learn.
The college was Of hugh value, but the
actual contact with busncS, lac thought,
was still moro valuable How was
a professor oi Journalism going 10 help an
ambitious young man 10 draw n prize In
the intellectual lottery The speaker did
not think n college course Ia journalism
would be Of much value. The one school
was the newspaper oilicc and without Il no
man could become thorough journalist
Applause aud voices, That's So
There were no set maNims and rules Tor
journalists. The do,iJf aud lawyer might
have rules, but there were very few rules
that could be used by newspaper men.
Mr.. Dana, however, Submitted the follow.
ing
I. Get the news, anl get all the news,
and nothing but the news.
2. Copy nothing ifoui another publica-
ton without perfect ucdit.
3. Never print an intefyicw without the
knowledge and consent Of the party inter.
viewed. Laughter and applause.
4. Never print a IaId advertisement a.
ncws matter fIaughlorl Let every ad.
ycrtiscment apppeaf ~ an advertisement
no sailing under false coloD. Zap
plausc.
.. Never attack The weak or defcnscless,
either by Argument, by inycctiye or by
rdiculo unless there u some absolute
public necessity for ~ doing.
U. Fight for your opinions, but don't boz
lioye they contain tie whole truth or the
only truth.
T. support your party II you have one,
daughter and applau- but don't think
all the good men arr 100 u ana all the bad
ones outside of H. Laughter