The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-04-23
A THOUGHTFUL PAPER.
ANTE AND POST-BELLUL JOUR-
NALISM CONTRAsTED.
DR.. Kingsbury Writes About Col. Cam
eron's Paper Read at the last Press
Convention.
Wilmington Messengel.l

of Asheville, was thoughtful enough
to send US printed copy of his really
excellent paper read before the last
North Carolina Press Association,
entitled "Ante and Post -Bellum Jour-
nalism Contrasted." 1t is interesting
and edifying reading, marked with
the characteristics of culture, thought,
observation, wisdom and literary grace.
The author is gentleman Of education,
of reading and of taste. He always
exhibits ability and scholarly learning
in all he writes with care. We are
glad that the North Carolina press
possesses writer of SO much wisdom,
breadth of view, accuracy of informa-
ton, gracious amenities and thorough
comprehension of the past of our his
tory as free people. Col. Cameron
is thoroughly Moth Carolinian, and
understands the traditions, principles
and methods Of the fathers. Advanced
in years he retains the vigor Of his
intellect and dispenses the attractions
of mind stored with rare information
and in a style at once cultivated and
fluent.
The paper read presented with
marked intelligence the character
istics of journalism before the war and
of the present: In some respects the old
way was the most profitable way.
Readers of newspapers before the wa,
were better informed as to principles
and evidences and facts and arguments.
The discussions were not so numerous,
but far more elaborate and instructive
than now. The editorials of great
writer's connected with the press would
often fill two pages OF the Messenger.
They were read and again and were
thought over with care and talked
about and understood. We have read
such editorials in the old National
LtelAgeneer and Washington Union.
You never see, or but very rarely
now, an elaborate paper or speeches
on any topic. The National Demo.
erat, published in Washington, is
more like the old time newspaper than
any other we know. 1t contains each
week a good deal of matter of genuine
value and interest, and it prints nearly
all of the best and most noticeable
speeches made in the Congress by the
Democrats. 1t is an instructor. You
can not read its issues for year past
without knowing much of real con-
dition of the country, and the principles
of the Democracy. 1t is an educator
in politics, and magazine of facts
and arguments.
The modern newspaper is a develop
ment. The great papers are Won
derful. Tome of them will issue for
3 cents more than you can read in
day. Some of the musurp the func-
tions of magazines and even anticipate
the publishers of books.
But we do not propose essaying to
discuss now the changes, the improve
ments or the defects. There is far
too much sensationalism, and in the
large papers at least a great deal of
stuff is published neither elevating to
the mind nor improving to the morals.
Our friend has presented feast of
good things, and if we had the space
we might select some appetizing, we'll
favored, healthful viands with which
to regale our readers.
Referring to the old school Of edit
ing Col. Cameron says
cit was inconsistent with the ideals
the educators of public opinion had
created for their course to lower their
high standard to court lower breeze
OF subordinate taste. They held to
their cherished models of English
composition: they held to the time
sanctioned standards of editorial
excellence; they revered the accepted
purity and propriety OF literary force
and beauty, and they despised that
smartness, popular in modern jour
nalism in the form of slang, which SO
often conviently supplies the want OF
brain and cheaply supplements the
absence of wit, humor, or information.
Above all, they abhorred sensationalism
and summed, as they would disgrace,
intrusion upon the privacy of domes.
tic affairs. The ante-bellum press
was clean, pure, chivalric."
We agree with him in what he says
of the duty of editors to be conscien-
tious and careful in what they publish.
He we'll says:
"When the press becomes the mere
reflex of public sentiment, good o,
bad; when the editor surrenders him
self to be the passive, undiscriminating
recorder of popular passions, vices
or caprices; when he abdicates his
right and duty to discriminate, rebuke
condemn or resist, he has ceased to
edit; he has become a.willing, vicious
echo of much that is bad, and much
that is morally and socially dangerous.
But SO long as he assumes to edit, the
responsibility is upon him. The air.
brake is within his reach if he have
the judgment or the courage to apply
! it,
| Many newspapers are unfit for family
reading. Some should hot be allowed
to go into the homes of virtuous and
religious people. Journalism in its
higher manifestations makes large de-
mands upon the judgment, intelligence,
tact, readiness, resources and general
ability. Our friend happily and cor
rectly says: