The times., 1897-11-14
Mr.. Dana and the "sun."
tFrom marper's WeekIyl

What makes conversation interesting is
ting things; and II a touch of humor is
added, SO much the better. The same
ingredients go to make an interesting news
paper, and into his newspaper MIR. Dana
put them all. His knowledge was extraor-
dlnary IN its scope and accuracy. lie
was a notable linguist; very learned in
mattersconcerningtrees,p plants and flowers;
wise in porcelains, pictures and all the
objects that attract collectors; ne knew
history, literature and people; he had edited
an encyclopedia and published a collection
OF poetry which still holds first place
among books of its class and scope. All
his life, too, he had been in the thick
Of affairs, and when history had been
making he had his hand i'll the mixing
of 1T. He had thought the thoughts aud
shared the experiences Of the Brook Farm
ers' had made the anti-slavery fight and
learned the business of newspaper-rnakins.
In fifteen years Of service under Greeley
Oh the Tribune. And he had served in
the war as the special observer and cor
respondent of Lincoln and stanton. That
was an extraordinary equipment for an
that its possessor, when he came in charge
of the sun, made it count, and that a
notable newspaper resulted.
1t is a -eIv eufunolt thing 10 hear Cd
ttors and publishers of newspapers and
periodicals explain when their products
are c,nSured or criticised, that they are
not editing u suit themselves but then
buyers aud subscribers. This is an ex
nj sfJa
all appearance he made the sun to suit
himself and his purposes. Certainly its
merits were his merits, and its defects
his defects, and he never snurfled as To
his responsibility for either His man
aGemeit OF the sun won him the ex xecra-
tion of good many individuals the al
1nlfat,on OF very many others, and the
reputation of being the greatest ns. .vspaper
editor OF his day. He knew good writing
when he saw 1T, and also good verse.
and he liked both, not is merchant likes
goods, but rs an artist loves art. Ther:,
never was IN editor more inspiring to his
subOrlinates. His raSte was a literary
stahdart that was respected from San
Francisco To EaStport. Very possibly the
best Gays t. have known Mr. Dana a.,
an editor Were the old days when the
Sun was stlll four-page paper which
swelled TO eight OH Sundays, and when
the starr was still comparatively small
and every line Of space counted
In those days Certainly the sun office was
fold where art was loved for arts sa ke
and where aspiring talent, uncertain OF il
self. found recognition, guidance and op
portunitv. In those days, as eyer since,
MIR. Dana vas liked and admired and re-
SpscteG In the Sun office, ana persons
there, as elsewhere, with whom ne had
close personal relations, formed strong at
tachments to him. 1t was said the other
day hy u man worn in his service. He
was like great tree. nj have been glad
to feel his shelter That is a sentiment
about him that many persons have shared,
and not without reason. He had much
sentiment and q sincere sympathy with
the under dog. II the worm would turn
he would bach the wOr m. He loved TO see
the weak grow strong; he loved TO sec the
course OF true love triumph over the ira
uitional obstacles. He strobe through the
world shaping his own course, but p great
char m 2 bout him was that he never walked
on stills, and vas never disposed to shu5
himself orc from his fellows and cowork-
ers, bnt was both easily accessible to anv
one who lad any claimcn his attention. and
very courteous and agreeab ole To aII his
callers Usually III his office he did not
step work ta talk but went right On
rea.iIng his proOf-sheets or with whatever
lie had i'll hand, While he gossiped with 4
visitor or discussed his errand -Harper's
Weekly.