Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-06-08
TALK ON JOURNALISM
Made Before the Mississippi Press
Association by r. H. Henry.
Practical Discussion on the Journalism
OF fToday-The Business Is Much What
We Make 1t, Elevated or Common
place, Stupid or Entertainlng.

We Make 1t, Elevated or Common
place, Stupid or Entertainlng.
Through the partial kindness OF tn,
president Of the Press Association,
have been selected to read paper i,
this presence on the subject OF "Jour
nalism," theme ever old, but always
new, Tor no calling or profession is more
progressive, or SO thoroughly abreas
The times as the journalism of to-day
the promoter of scientific research, the
advocate of all modern improvement ts
the friend of all great discoveries, the
champion Of higher education, intelli
gent thought, advanced ideas, and the
diffusion of wholesome, useful knowl
edge. 10 be thus chosen from this
body of brother editors, is an honor moi
to be lightly esteemed and for which ]
am duly grateful.
When informed OF the selection I
thanked our president for the honor
conferred, and inquired his wish as to
the scope OF tho article to be prepared
when he laconically and wittily replied,
Scope it to suit yourself"
Thus left to treat the subject as in.
cllnation may suggest or fancy dictate,
am somewhat like ship launched
upon the sea without compass or anchor,
having nothing to be guided by, and
permitted to drift with tide and wind.
But, though thus summarly set aAoat
by our worthy president, perchance
upon an angry sea, without SO much as
word OF advice or admonition, and left
to buffet the wild waves alone, feel
sure that shall carry with mo the best
wishes of all as ! sail out from the
placid port of beautiful Biloxi, this gem
OF the gulf, this home of culture and re-
ilnement, where beauty fingers and
chivalry dwells; where lovers stroll on
silvery beach, lounge on lazy seats, rest
under the shade of majestic oaks or WOO
In the twilight, when the moon silvers
tho palm trees, and the stars look down
and the nightingale sings" as we leave
this dreamy, somnolent, soothing South
land
Where the Mexican Gulf, with gentle roar,
Washes the base OF the sandy shore,
where the pine trees grow to the waters side,
And bathe their roots In the rising tide"
And surely, the storm tossed mariner
will here receive warm and cordial
welcome from this opon-hearted and
generous people, when his ship returns
and glides into this quiet heaven, casts
anchor and lowers sail, becoming in
fact as
Idle as painted ship,
Upon painted ocean"
But to the theme. The subject OF
Journalism" is of limitless scope,
affording the widest possible range for
discussion, covering an endless field for
practical thought and speculative OBJ
servation, and can only be slightly
touched upon in paper of this char
acter.
1t is frequently the custom of those
selected to speak on this subject to give,
in minute detail, the history of the rise
and progress of the newspaper in
America, if not in Europe. shall not
weary the patience of this splendid
audience by such dull recital, but will |
endeavor to confno myself strictly to
the subject of "Journalism," as | see
and understand it, and have, in an
humble way, attempted its practical
xemplfication, giving briefly such
thoughts and observations as have
occurred, or suggested themselves in a
journalistic experience of nearly a quar-
ter of century.
Journalism is uhdt ace makeu, elevated
and entertaining, or commonplace and
stupid, according to circumstances and
A great mind does not
always make great journal; but an or.
dinary mind never does. 1t is much
easier to float down to level than to
rise above natural source; less diff
1cult to descend to the ordinary, than
to ascend to the sublime, the down
grade being more inviting than the
rocky steep.
1t is said that this is an age OF iourn-
alism, all the acts of the world being
narrated by the press. And this is true.
Tor in the journals of the day we read
The history and tho events of the world.
The press is the most potent educa-
,ional factor Of the nineteenth century,
he greatest benefactor OF modern times.
1t is read and studied by people of all ,
'ges and in every station of life. 1t has
argely taken the place of the public
peaker and debator; it has invaded the ,
lomain of the minister, for while Tai !,
mage breaches to many hundred souls +
m Sunday, his sermons are read by !
nultipliedthousands on Monday. The J
istinguished congressman will address
ut small audience in national halls, y
ct may thrill legion with his elo- a
uence through the tireless, sleepless a
ress Y
The people look to the journalist, 9
'hom they respect, and in whom they a
ave confidence, for guidance and in Il
truction on all public questions. They v
xpect not only the freshet and best a
ews of the day, but liberal and in .
elligent discussion Of all matters of |, /
cneral interest--the best thought OF e
ne age. q,
1t is tho true mission Of the journalist, !
see and understand it, to present I
is readers an interesting and thought
Il paper-progressive, but not too sem