Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-05
impressed with the Importance OF the

impressed with the Importance OF the
matter known as editorial
1t is the proper business OF news
papers to publish the news and TO COM
ment upon 1t. Probably the greater
number Of newspaper readers never think
OF reading all the editorials in their
daily paper, or OF looking TO il for light
and guidance in all the interests OF their
lives. Most men will say that they
read newspapers to learn what Is going
on. 10 get at the actual facts of the
situation in politics. in business. and in
every other sphere OF human activity
with which they are concerned, and not
to ascertain the opinions Of anonymous
writer's whose judgment may be no
better than their own. On the other
hand, while very few care to read every
editorial even in their favorite papers,
there are not many who will deliberately
skip an article on a subject In which they
are deeply interested. And for this there
are several reasons. In the first place.
a man will usually listen to carefully
stated opinion, supported by fact and
argument, In regard TO any question
which concerns his own welfare. or which
on AIRY account either ELECTS his sympathy
or excites his opposition. He is especially
the matter is Identical with his own. or
who are generally OF his way of think
ing Then there is the just reflection
that the editorial writer Is probably In
possession of the main facts, and has
thought the whole thing over with at
least an average degree OF intelligence.
Finally. great weight Is attached 10 the
fact that the newspaper is to some extent
an organ OF public opinion. There may
be a division OF public opinion, but the
newspaper will be In any case the most
thoroughly representative exponent OF its
own side. But the Importance of ed
itorials is, perhaps. principally due to the
fact that they are usually read by the
most intelligent class.
A Bismarck dies. Everybody knows
something about him. but hardly any
one is able TO state the decisive achieve
ments OF his life exactly in their due
order or, so TO speak, in correct per-
spective Your newspaper not only re-
pairs the defects of your memory in
supplying you with a perfectly reliable
sketch Of his career but IL adds an
| ANALYSIS OF his character and an esti-
mate OF the consequence of his work
as a whole This matter is furnished
| by professional journalists who have
known for years that they might be
called upon at any hour 10 do it, and
who. therefore. meet the sudden event
| with elaborate preparation The sa-
! gaclous journalist sees coming events
| in the shadows which they cast before
! them. and is not often caught mapping
New departures in politics are the re-
suit OF tendencies that have long been
obvious enough to trained observers
! and careful students of the public
mind. The journalist keeps his eye on
the drift Of events, and when the
time comes, he is ready with the law
and the facts. the statistics and the
| argument. Take for instance that
| question of territorial expansion with
which American statesmanship has
now 20 deal. The prudent journalist
began storing away ammunition. as
soon as there was the slightest reason
10 suspect that the settlement OF the
Spanish war might involve considera-
tons interior TO the immediate casus
belli. His preparation in this instance
involved a review both of interna-
tional and Of constitutional law, and
study Of the internal condition Of the
great Powers OF Europe, to ascertain
the causes Of their common colonizing
| tendency. 1t is this habit Of prepare
ton, more than anything else, perhaps
which gives to the editorial Itteranct
its special value. Other men look ahead
along the line of indication in theil
own business; but the editor is direct
~ interested in every business, and, tC
quote a famous line from an old Roman
poet he counts nothing that is human
foreign to himself. Editorial writing
then. is not merely 1.-THE criticism Of tbs
moment at the moment" but Is rather
the criticism Of the anticipated moment
Intelligent men understand the value
Of this editorial preparation, and thii
is one reason why editorials are reaC
by the best class of newspaper readers
But Mr. De Wesse thinks tn
editorial is most influential when 1t Il
REINFORCED by the power Of the writer
own personality. Every editorial an,
every article in newspaper" he says
SHOULD be signed by the writer Thu
people who read newspapers should b.
able to identify every editorial utter
ance with robust and potential per
sonaity which stands for the best at
tainment I'm some particular depart
ment Of knowledge. This means In
naturalization and specialization, boti
Indispensable elements in any line o
successful professional endeavor" Flo
obvious reasons however, the applica
ton OF this rule IS for the most part
impossible in general journalism.