The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-05-24


They expect not only the freshest and
best news Of the day, but liberal and
discussion OF all matters
Of general interest-the best thought
Of the age.
1t is the true mission Of the jOurna-
list, as l see and understand it, to
present his readers an interesting and
thoughtful paper-progressive, but
not too sensational; bright, but al
ways reliable; enterprislng, but strict
ly truthful; readable, but ever digni.
fed: newsy, but entirely clean.
This leads to the remark that the
reckless journalist, the editor who
asserts, but proves nothing: who prints
all 0btainahle news, without stopping
to ascertain its correctness; the dealer
in billingsgate, in lieu of argument;
who resorts to personal abuse in place
of facts the deceItful toady and dis
gushing syc0phant, the arch-dcm-
agogue, can have no influence in any
community. lie may delight few
shallow patcd fools, but will disgust
sensible, decent people. "Therc are
no privileges of the press that arc not
privileges of the people" Any citizen
has the right to tell the truth and no
journalist can claim more.
Let us cultivate pure, truthful,
honest, manly, clean, high-minded
journalism; one that will command
the respect of all-friend and foe
alike; that will win success by deserv-
ing it; that will lift men up rather
than pull them down; that will pro-
mote all good works, either State or
National, secular or religious; that
will make the world better for the
knowledge and truth it imparts.
The true journalist must be a
thoughtful citizen; one who considers
a subject in all its bearings before
writing upon 1t. lie can not act upon
impulse in giving expression to his
views, must weigh his words before
them, il he would avoid saying i'm
prudent things-promulgating ideas
that in his more thoughtful moments
he would not have spoken.
Journalists, like poets and orators.
it is said, are born, not made, and
while this may, to some extent, be
true, l Can not wholly subscribe tO
the theory. Some men do succeed
better as journalists than Others.
Whether this is because OF their ma
tive talent, God-given genius, adapt
ability TO the business, or untiring
energy, is an unanswered question
bnt all these qualifications are aids
and means to an end.
A distinguished citizen of this State
who commenced life as q country edi-
tor, but abandoned it when called to
Office by his people, when discussing
journalism some years ago, said
"The man who succeeds az a publish
er would, by employing the same
energy, grow independent in any
other pursuit in life-nO other bust
ness requiring the industry necessary
to the successful conduct Of a news
paper"
This remark impressed me as being
most forcible and true, and the same
thought has doubtless occurred to the
members of this Association, who
have realized, but too keenly the
hardships in the pathway Of editor
and publisher.
While there may be some attrac.
tions in the career OF the successful
journalist-glOry, glamour, honor and
renown, comfort and independence
as the world understands these term.
his life is not wholly one Of cas-,
and pleasure. Nay, it is a life Of un
remitting toll, arduous labor, cease
less care, constant worry and never
ending annoyance, OF miscellaneou!
and multiplied duties, ever increas
ing with renewed responsibilities.
The successful journalists must b,
a fearless, aggressive, progressive, in
dustriOus, incessant worker, employ
ing every faculty, all his powers. Hi
mind can have no rest his hands cal
not be idle. He must be early !,
Office and remain late, for, during tn
hustlln0 hours Of business, he mus
give much Of his time to the publi
and to routine work, rescrying tn
quiet hours Of evening for the prepa
ration Of his editorial matter. Hi
one thought must be his paper, ben
ding all energies OF mind and body
giving all his time and attention, t.
making 1t ia success. He must not Onl
be an Industrious worker, but an en-
thusiast, welded entirely to his pro
fcssion, ever putting 1t above al
things, save his honor, his family an
his God. He must be a positive char
actcr, man Of convictions, fearles
IN the advocacy Of what he believes +
be right, and bold to condemn wha
he conceivesao be wrong. He mus
be independent In oil things, no
going beyond the pale Of party, lei
ting the world know by his action an
Ntterances that his editorial opinion
are his own, and not for sale OF bal
ter.
Much has been said and write
about persnnal Journalism. There