Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-10-09
A REVERE.


One of the charms of a newspaper
mans occupation is that it brings him
in contact with SO many varying char
acters and gives him opportunities en-
joyed by few of meeting men and wo-
men from whom there is something to
be learned. 1t serves, too, to widen
ones view of life and to bring home
the realization that everyone progress
es by different routes and achieves
success or suffers failure from varying
causes.
Sometimes when [ walk the streets
after nightfall / have been impressed
by the thought that in every house |
pass there are people living in little
worlds of their own, with cares, hopes,
ambitions, sorrows, and all the mani
fold experiences of individuals, as sep
arate and distinct from those OF each
Eother as though they lived in other
EspAeres. There is something uncanny
about the thought, and yet none is
better calculated to bring home
sense of the littleness Of the Individual
lnorto strengthen the determination
to obtain if possible the true perspec-
| tive of ones especial interests. Some
thing similar is the effect of mingling
with others who have lived and are
Living in environments different from
ones own. The difficulties encoun-
tered by ones self, seemingly so great
when viewed from the cramped stand
point of self, shrink into insignificance
in contrast with the obstacles over
come by. Others. The ambitions cher
ished become pale and unsatisfying
compared with the better and more
worthy ambitions of another. The
work accomplished loses it's gigantic
proportions when placed side by side
in mental review with what has been
done by one, perphaps less fortunately
situated.
| Therefore, experience as an inter
viewer, as reporter, is Of all best cal
culated to broaden understanding and
to increase the ability to "size up"
men and things, as has often been
demonstrated, the newspaper man who
! mixes his ink with brains may be re-
lied upon, having had the needful ex-
perience, to form as just an estimate
of the character of another as is pos
sible to any. sE8f
has limitations in the expression of
opinions. He must avoid fulsome fiat
terry lest he be charged with desiring
to make a foolish object Of the one of
whom he speaks. He must voice gen
tie judgments, for he addresses large
numbers of people and his utterances
have greater weight than if spoken
merely to intimates. He must exhibit
strict regard for truth or he fails of re
liability. He must not allow warm
personal regard to color his estimate,
and so far he is handicapped in the
work of presenting for the information
Of others his opinion Of public men.
But the work of studying men and
of giving expression to the Judgment
such study compels, becomes easier
the more it is gone through, and the
pleasure Of it is enhanced when the
men are Of similar convictions, politi-
cally or otherwise, as the writer. And
SO I have found in my daily rounds in
learning what others have done, what
they hope to do, their views and am
billions and in becoming familiar with
the processes by which they have ar
rived both at their material positions
and mental attitude.
It is educating to the interviewer
and if there be any virtue in the poets
prayer for "some power to see our
selves as others see us" it is possible
that what we may write at various
times may be of value to the victims
as we'll.