The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-14
MR.. DANA ON JOURNALISM.
The Arkansas Press Association and
It's Recent Action.

Its Recent Action.
Mr.. Charles A Dana writes in the New
York Sun; The Arkansas Press Associa-
ton has passed resolution TO this elect:
"We recommend that this association
refuse to exchange with any editor who in
dulges in personal journalism"
What do our Arkansas friends mean by
personal journalism They surely can.
not mean TO taboo, ostracize and stigma
tie those OF their brethren Of the press
who discuss individuals, for there is no
duty more imperatively binding on an
editor than the duty Of dealing with per-
sons according 10 their desert. 1t is al
ways more agreeable to speak OF our fell
lows in terms OF praise than in terms OF
lreproach, but that is no justification for
negecting TO utter the words Of condem-
nation when truth and the public interest
(quirc that they should be spoken. II Is
lgenerous to refrain from applause when
APPRECIATION is due, and il is cowardly 10
avoid condemnation simply because 10
express II Is 10 exercise an unpleasant
function.
No right minded editor enjoys the per-
Torrance of the duty OF rcbuking, expos
ing, or casiigating one Of the members Of
his glorious profession, but, all the same,
there are TINES when he is under relig-
ious obligation 10 tear of DISCUSSES and TO
apply the lash with vigor and pcrtinacity.
False logic. vicious moral or political
teaching, fraud, humbug lies, false pre-.
lenses must be dealt with rs they deserve,
even though they are displayed 10y Il fellow
editor A man who abuses his high priv
ilege and great power ~ an editor 30 pro-
mulgale evil and 90 inslead the people
should be promptly aud sharply chastised
by his brethren. They should lay ON the
rod aud spare not 80 long rs lac persists in
his wicked cour6e.
But II our Arkansas friends mean that
personal squabbes between editors grow
Ing out Of mere envy, jealousy and child.
ish rivalry, are unbeiitting the dignity Of
the editorial profession, VIC are in entire
agreement with them. II they cannot get
on higherplane aud discuss principles
with each other like reasonable creatures,
they bring tho newspaper business into
pproach. Morc than that, they neglect
what most conduccs 10 their own prosper
ity. Instead OF attending TO their own
affairs. they are meddling with other
peoples. They are ~ much interested IN
watching the shop across tho way that
they forget 10 attend properly 10 the wants
OF their customers. They are 80 much
engaged in counting up the circulation OF
their rivals that their own circulation falls
OIL Even " they prosper they are not
happy, some competitor prospers also.
But fair and even sharp discussion be.
tween Journals j. always proper an lcgiti-
mate. II gives life 10 paper, and the
public enjoy II, for human nature loves
square iight, and respects man who Is
ready both 10 give and receive blow. Nor
is there any peculiar privilege belonging
20 an editor which entities him 10 cx- .
cmpiions from attack. lie should not be
allowed TO pmain In nm anonymous char
actcr. Ills newspaper gives him power
for whose exercise lac should be- held per-
sonally responsible. Men IN public life
Presidents, Senators. Congressman, Cabi-
net officers, Govcrnos aud Legislators are
nll freely criticised. aud why should cdi.
tors CscapU3 They claim the liberty of
finding fault with other people, whom
they designate 10y name, and they should
stand ready 10 endure criticism on their
own side. The personality behind the
newspaper should be brought to yiew,and
II the editor deserves punishment he
should set II. There "a no great nuwspa.
per In this country of which some
individual does not appear "a the
representative. The Now York Tribuns
was Mr.. whi,claw Reid until he went as
Minister 10 Paris. Tho Louisville C1urifr-
Journal Is Mr.. Henry Wallonon. Tho Gin.
elnnah tommacia Is Mr.. Richard smith.
The Philadelphia Tiao Is Col. Mcclure.
They are al persons. aud their journalism
Ia personal journalism. No one Of them
wishes 10 escape individual responsibility
ior the coursc Of his newspaper, and IL viii
be an evil day for American journalism
II ever newspapers cease 10 be represented
by individual editors known 10 the public
and held under crilcigm by H.. A lmrrly
anonymous Journal IL altogether undcsir-
able.
But editions who respect themselves and
their readers do not vent merely personal
grievances. They arc above envy and
jealousy, aud they work together 90 4 band
Of brethren IN a grand aud noble probes