The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-07-02

worst feature of life in the United States. "
1t is somewhat comforting to believe that
Mr.. Arnold's sweeping and startling opin-
ions were warped occasionally by violent
attacks Of insular prejudice, but his views
deserve consideration, at least, and any
and letters can hardly fail to he of some
suggestive value. The sentences above
quoted were written ten years ago; what
should we say if asked whether, since then,
American newspapers have grown better or
worse? Has the influence of the American
press increased or decreased during period
when so many papers have joined the class
which we may Justly call sensational?
Does their influence make for the public
good, and is it effective in strengthening
and unifying our complex national life?
Such questions must suggest themselves to
every thoughtful citizen with especial force
at times like these, when the nerves of the
country are keyed to concert pitch by the
existence of a national conflict
Any discussion OF the matter is futile
without a correct understanding of the CON
ditions and problems of modern journal
ism, its PRACTICAL az well as its theoretical
side, and no one can he better equipped in
the Suhi.ct than an old and trained
journalist, who has experienced all the
phases IF his profession, and finally
letters. For this reason it is worth while
calling attention to an article Ivy Mr.. Geo
W. Smailey in the July number of 'IIar.
per's Magazine" modestly entitled "Notes
on Journalism" The fairness of Mr.
Smallcys discussion of the many sides Of
his subject is no less attractive than the
readable, intimate style of the paper.
which is pointed by number of interest
iug and unhackneyed anecdotes.
Mr.. Nmalley has much Of value to say
concerning the utility of newspaper work
rs preparatory school to the higher liter
arv profl Ssiops, and it will seem to many a
curious coincidence that the same number
Of ,le magazine which contains Notes on
journalism" affords several striking ex-
an,ple4 Of the development and work of
tho best modern journalists. Julian Ralph,
for instance, has risen from the reportocial
ranks to a high position as an author of
ias"n"trg books of travel, and story
from his pen, which inteumingles fact and
fancy delightfully."-, called "a Prince of
Georgia, is the opening article of the
July liarper's 1t is, Of course, idle to
conjecture how effective Mr.. Ralph's early
newspaper training has been as a factor in
his literary success. Mr.. Smalley, it
lerms, is inclined to find some truth in the
historic remark of NJ. Theirs, who once OBJ
served that journalism was a very good
profession If you 60 out of it soon enough.
1t would he interesting to have Mr.. Ralph's
own views; in the meantime however, his
work must speak for itself, and it is sutll-
cient here to note how forcibly some of Mr..
Smalcy's thoughts on modern journalism
ATE illustrated by the peculiarly human
and realistic qualities of Mr.. Ralph's story.
The sharp and quick insight of character.
the kecnness of wide-awake observation,
and the tendency to write naturally and
conciseiy- merits which Mr. Ralph I'M
douhtcdiy possesses-can reasonably be set
down "a products of habits necessarily cul-
tvatel by thoughtful workers in the news
papers profession.