New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-26
THE DESERTED COMPLTMENT'

~ the recent glowing and eloquent tribute OK
thc Hon. John Fox to the almost omnlpoteht
nress of the country" brought the blush OF mod
estv to the cheek of the newspaper profession,
producing the momentary discontinue OF an en-
barrassnc situation it should be said, In justice
70 tho profession that its check Is not devoted
exclusively 10 bushing but is frequently useful
in relieving lust such an embarrassment as that
into which It was thrown by Mr.. Foxs panesy-
RIGS Almost before the ducet tones OF the
oro,or and statesman had died upon the rapt
listening ear Of the slorhcd press or prompt
and opportunc contemporary. The NcW-iorh
World" rose to remarl, that the tribute was "a
deserved compliment. Of which The World mas
nsnec,oI reason 10 be apprccaIve' Quoting
from Mr. Foxs speech that representatives. OF
.thc press If this city are TO be found III ever!
"nuartcr Of the habtablc globe II adds. VIII
something that seems almost compac'nt III us
assurance: "Of course this means The Nor!h
.corrcspondents. who have been nrSi III giving
"thc news in cuba and in Japan. as they ar" ac-
"c,,.,omcd 70 4, everywhere" The effect Of this,
II will be at once sccn-and this was doup'i'NS
our contemporary phanhropic intenn"h-' 10
relieve all other newspapers 81 me ''"p'''
mcnt naturally arising from Mt FOX p'rl'N''
and Overlooking praise. To guard against any
possibility Of exciting Jealousy or envy among i'S
contcmporarics The World adds that no one
"nanor can have all the good men or Keep me
"o,her papcrs from getting news. The World
.uov.r tries to do that" II Is satisfied II says.
N .make the pace for the other newspapers. and
.onv ncwsnaper that manages 10 keep In sight of
az, Is hound 10 he a very good newspaper III us
way"
There IS such an air ~ refinement. ccn'len'ss
and good breeding In this prompt response to Mr.
Fo,'s compliments. that II that gentleman in
tended rs has been suspected. TO bc f1ccti"uS
and satirlcal IN the homage he paid the press. he
cannot but feel rebukcd by the ingcnuousncss
which. without turning a hair accepts II ~ de
sorved We are disposed TO think that The
World" deserves the thanks Of It's contempt
rarles Since that wellknown versihcr. the late
Alexander Pope. INDUCED in n somewhat bitter
and unchartable characterization OF the eager
Int useful class who rush in where angels fear
,o tread" there has seemed 10 be something Ike
reluctance on the part Of persons who know
themselves 10 be much more competent IMAM their
fellows TO come calmly forward and confess their
superiority 1t Is an occasion Tor cohgr"'ui"'lo"
rather than prJvocation to mir'h whch con
sciously superior person overcoIn's such relu''
lance and cheerfully volunteers to trip gay pas
scul adown the track which timd angels do not
dare II is in this view Of our contemporary
prompt and apprcclative acknowledgment mat
ue venture on behalf 81 the press generally Il"
Offer thanks for what. silly and ridiculous as II
may seem 10 many, is really useful service. and
ono that few newspapers would have vcnured To
perform II is relief when hattcry becomes
fulsome and nauseatng TO have some one with
both annette and stomach for it stand calmly up
and take il all