The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-08
yyATTTRsON on JOURNALISM.

The comment which Mr.. Watterson. in Are-
cent interview with representative Of the New
York Tribune, made on the opportunities
which journalism offered as a profession. 10
those who wished to attain to both fame and
fortune, was of q very pessimistic character,
somewhatm more so indeed, than the true nature
Of the case would appear TO Justify. After
stating very broadly that journalism rs
profession could not be compared either in
influence or proftableness with the
other professions, he brings forward
the instance Of Mr. Dana as an evil
dence of how disproportionate its re-
wards ara 10 the most exalted talents. As
Mr.. Dana is at the present moment man
who is known from one end Of the United
States to the other wholly on account Of his
distinction ms journalist. and is in receipt of
salary Of fifty thousand dollars. there is
some reason 10 believe that the reference 70
him is not altogether pertinent. Few citizens
in New York stand out more conspicuously IN
the public eve than the editor of the Sun, and
few have less ground for advancing any COM
plant against fortune
The same thing can with equal truth be said
Of Whitelaw Reid. now Minister to the French
Republic. The names Of Dana and Reid are
known TO an hundred persons in the United
States where the names Of the most distin-
gushed New York lawyers. exclusive Of that
of Mr.. Eyarts, who has great political repu-
tation, Is known 10 five. Ii would probably
be perfectly accurate TO reduce the dispropor-
ton still lower.
Mr.. Watterson himself is an instance that
the great leaders in American journalism en-
Joy fame that is rs far-reaching "a the boun-
daries Of the Republic. There are few men
in the United States who stand upon a more
conspicuous eminencc than he does. There
are few indeed whose utterances com
mand wider degree Of attention
among the American people at large. In de-
preciating the opportunities which the
Journalist of the highest order Of talents has
of winning reputation, We are disposed 10
think that the great Kentucky editor fell into
a mistake and this can be said at the very time
that we admit that journalism is growing moro
impersoual every year. aud that the editor Is
receding rs the newspaper rises in importance.
/
10 thoyery highest position in the other pro
LESSONS in our large cities are undoubtedly
greater than the compensation Of leading
journalists. but both IN personal influence
and in general reputation the most dlstln-
gllished editors enjoy marked superiority over
those who follow other pursuits. "A great
journalist" said Mr. Watterson. lis like a
great actor-he leaves no coffin" but this can
also be said of a man who is a great lawyer OF
"a great physician or great professor. The
reputation of q great politician Is for Oh
vious reasons moro permanent because his
life is identified with political events which
constitute a part of the history Of his country.
And 80 with great author for his reputation
survives in his books which are monuments
u his name.
Omitting the statesman and the author of
the first rank from view. it would seem that
Mr.. Watterson was not exactly just in subordi-
mating such men as Dana, Reid, aud Greeley
to the principal opponents of the other
professions The immortal names that
but they are not confined to any one pursuit
in life. The national reputation and intlu-
ence now enjoyed by such men a. Reid and
Watterson would satisfy the ambition Of the
most aspiring. and we can only attribute the
discomfort Of the distinguished Kentuckinn
to an eccentric mood which soon passed
away.