St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-11-05
Dana and the Sun.

What makes conversation interesting
is knowledge, gumption, and the art OF
putting things; and if touch of humor
is added so much the better. The same
ingredients go to make an interesting
newspaper, and into his newspaper Mr..
Dana put them all. His knowledge was
extraordinary in its scope and accuracy.
He was notable linguist; very learned
in matters concerning trees, plants and
flowers; wise in porcelains, pictures, and
all the objects that attract collectors he
knew history, literature and people; he
had edited an encyclopaedia, and pub
lished collection of poetry which still
holds first place among books ofits 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 in the
mixing of it. He had thought the
thoughts and shared the experiences of
the Brook Farmers, had made the anti
slavery fight and learned the business of
newspaper.m making in fifteen years OF
service under Greeley on the Tribune.
And he had served in the war as the
special observer and correspondent of
Lincoln and Stanton. That was an ex-
traordinary equipment tor an editor, and
it is not to be wondered at that its pos.
SCISSOR, when he came in charge of the
Sun, made it count, and that notable
newspaper resulted. 1t is a very common
thing to hear editors and publishers oil
newspapers and periodicals explain, when
their products are censured or criticised,
that they are not editing to suit them
selves but their buyers and subscribers.
That is an explanation that Mr.. Dana
never made. To all appearance he made
the Sun to suit himself and his purposes.
Certainly its merits were his merits. and
it's defects his defects, and he never shut
fed as to his responsibility for either.
His management of the Sun won
him the execration of good many
individuals, the admiration of very many
Others, and the reputation of being the
greatest newspaper editor Of his day.
He knew good writing when he saw it,
and also good verse, and he liked both,
not as merchant likes goods, but as an
artist loves art. There never was an
editor more inspiring to his subordi-
mates. His taste was literary standard
that was respected from San Francisco
to Eastport. Very possibly the best
days to have known Mr.. Dana as an
editor were the old days when the Sun
was four-page paper, which swelled to
eight on Sundays, and when the staff was
still comparatively small and every line
of space counted. In those days certainly
the Sun Office was told where art was
loved Tor arts sake, and where aspiring
talent uncertain of itself, found recogni-
ton. guidance and opportunity. In
those days, as ever since, Mr. Dana was
liked and admired and respected in the
Sun Office, and persons there, as else
where, with whom'he had close personal
relations, formed strong attachments to
him. 1t was said the other day, by a
man worn in his service, "He was like
great tree, and | have been glad to feel
his shelter" That is sentiment about
him that many persons have shared, and
not without reason. He had much senti-
ment, and a sincere sympathy with the
under dog. If the worm would turn, he
would back the worm. He loved to see
the weak grow strong; he loved to see
the course of true love triumph over the
traditional obstacles. He strobe through
the world shaping his own course, but
great charm about him was that he
never walked on stills, and was never
disposed to shut himself off from his fel.
lows and coworkers, but was both easily
accessible to any who had any claim on
his attention, and very courteous and
agreeable to his callers. Usually in his
Office he did not stop work to talk, but
went right on reading his proof sheets or
with whatever he had in hand. while he
gossiped with visitor or discussed his
errand.-[ Harper's Weekly.