The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-05

The Atlanta editors are not like the
Boston editors. Asked to take the
Democratic nomination for Governor
of Massachusetts,, Col. Charles H
| Taylor, editor of the Boston Globe
said: II can only say what l have
said before under more or less sim
liar circumstances. There is but one
office that l really care for, and that
is my present office in the Boston
Globe"
But in Georgia Democratic nomi-
nation is equivalent to an election
whereas in Massachusetts it is only
once in great while, under most ia
vorable circumstances, that a Demo-
crat is chosen Governor of Massa-
chusetts. The difference may not
make Col. Taylor more sensible and
philOsOphic" than the Atlanta editors
are deemed to be by the Springfield
Republican. However why should
Col. Taylor wish the office of Cover
nor if it could be given him without
a struggle? AS the editor of a great
newspaper, which genius has given
a commanding position, why should
he surrender it for public honors
which are often another name for
troubles and anxieties?
Most editors who have aspired for
political honors have reaped harvest
either of ingratitude, as in the case
of Josiah Turner; of trouble and wor-
70 he
liam w. Holden; of disappointment
to the breaking of the heart, as
Horace Greeley. The late Henry w.
Grady, the brilliant man who found
the Atlanta Constitution a puny in
FAINT and made it a young giant, did
not believe that a journalist ought to
accept public office. In 1882 he was
urged by many prominent Democrats
to become a candidate for the Con-
gressional nomination. 1t may be
that if the Convention had named
him he could not have resisted and
Washington would have known him
as Boston and New York knew him
the voice Of new and better era. But
his mature judgment was always
against yielding to temptation to run
for office, and in answer to a numer-
ously signed petition urging him to
become a candidate Mr.. Grady wrote:
when / was eighteen years OF age,
adopted Journalism as my profess
sion. After thirteen years of service
in which l have had various fortunes,
can say that / have never seen a
day when l regretted my choice. On
the contrary, l have seen the field OF
so enlarged, its poSSibili-
ties so widened, and its influence so
extended, that / have come TO be-
lieve earnestly, that no man, no mat
ter what his calling, his elevation. or
his opportunity, can equal In dignity,
honor and influences the journalist
who comprehends his position, fairly
measures his duties, and gives him
self entirely and unseltishly to his
work"
But journalism is Jealous profess
sion and demands the fullest alleg1-
ance of those who seek its honors or
emoluments. Least OF all things can
it be made the aid of the demagogue,
or the handmade Of the politician.
The man who uses his journal to
subserve his political ambition, or
writes with a sinister or personal pur-
pose. soon loses his power. ana had
best abandon a profession he has be-
tl'ayed. Within my memory there
are FREQUENT and striking examples
of men who have sacrificed the one
only to be sacrltlceu
In the other. History has not re-
corded the name of a single man VINO
has been great enough to succeed IN
both. Therefore, devoted as l am
to nv profession, believing as L 90
that there is more of honor and use
fitness for me along its way than
in another path, and that my duty Is
clear and unmistakable, am con-
strained to reafflrm in my own NINA
and to declare to you the resolution
7 made when l entered Journalism
that as long as 1 remain In It's RANKS
will never become a candidate ior
anv political office, or draw ooliar
from any public treasury
.sThis rule l have never broken ana
I hope l never shall.
Who will say that Mr.. Grady was
not sensible and philosophical
And vet who will not say that the
whole South would have been blessed
If Henry w. Grady had added to ms
newspaper articles and occasional or
atoms. leadership in CongressI