The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-02-20
THE JOURNALISTIC FIELD.
THE MAN OF PRACTICAL IDEAS VS.,
THE COLLEGE GRADUATE.

1t is not Every one who can Write
Fairly Well on the Leading Issues
of the Day that is the Biggest Sue
cess in the Editorial Chair.
(Goldsboro Argus
We are in receipt OF a "copy" let
ter from young gentleman North
who desires to " come South and enter
the journalistic field" and doubtless
many of our Southern brethren of the
press have been favored with the same
letter. The young man is "college
graduate" and can "write now fairly
readable article on the leading issues
of the day"-so he says. But can he
Occasionally, from time to time in
the course Of its existence, the argus
has addressed itself to the young men
of the country upon intellectual pur-
suits-the choice of professions, and
the approaches thereto; and we have
done this thing out OF pure concern
for them-to desire to aid them and
benefit them as far as in our power
lies. Therefore it is that just now,
with this young mans letter before us,
who is only just entering "life's stern
warfare" with, evidently, ambitions
high and aspirations boundless as the
long, bright vista of bouyant hopes
that stretches out before him, we again
address ourselves to the subject, apropos
of his letter.
There is no field, from our own OBJ
servation and acquaintance, with grad
yates during..our college life, that is so
inviting to these self-appreciating
young gentlemen-an excusable ap-
probation by reason of their inexperi-
ence with men of the world-as journ-
alism.
1t has been remarked that the num-
Der of college graduates in America
that aspire to journalism is something
extraordinary. These young gentle
men imagine it only necessary to place
their ideas upon paper, to at once re-
ceive the hearty welcome of editors and
be installed as the leading writers on
the best journals in the country. They
think no special training or appren-
ticeship is necessary. They are mis-
taken. They could more easily enter
upon the practice of the law or OF
medicine than they could occupy an
editorial chair. Yet how absurd il
would be for a man to attampt the
practice of either law or medicine
without receiving long and careful
training in lawyers office or in a
medical college.
With the fullest appreciation Of the
advantages of college aducation, a.
such, the intellectual powers it devel'
ops and the possibilities it admits o.
with its rich funds of varied lore; yet
with the average college graduate as a
criterion, it is peculiarly true Of journ'
alisn that a course in college is moi
only absolutely worthless, Per Sc, but
, is for time even a positive bar to ad
; vancement in the journalistic profes
& sion.
This seems to be putting it rather
. strong, and many at first flush viii
doubtless question the truth Of tht
statement but we would not be mis-
!; understood. The college graduate:
who enter journalism, judging from
our own experience, have to slowl,
unlearn much that cumbers thei
: minds-much that may be valuable il
, other spheres of life, but which is ;
: great hindrance here. Imagine one o
them placed in the editorial chair of
, morning newspaper. The managinl
. editor comes to him at eleven o'clock
, and requires OF him an article on, say
e the race question. 1t must be exactl
half column, must treat the subjec
D historically, brighten it up with littl
\ we'll balanced wit, and give carefu
+ review of the present situation and
must be ready in an hour. What US
$ to the green hand are all his classica
/ quotations, his essays on Mary Queel
, of Scots, his elaborate studies Of tn
, ancient historians7 To fill his pos
e properly he requires long and pain
r full course of special study in all tn
1 sciences and arts, and in that creates
: science the study of the life around Il:
ISL The college graduate may be abl
: to do into tolerable English the repoI
is torial work of local items, social haE
is penings, formal ceremonies, ETC., an
e thus take such a position but it wi
e require good deal of study to enabl
h him to handle larger subjects.