The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-08-31
|oFF,cE AND The souRnALlsr

Courier-Journal, discusses the journal
list as an oface-holder for all the
world as IL his name were never men
toned for the second highest office
under the government.
Mr.. Watterson says:
The modern newspaper is the chief,
almost the sole, vehicle of the popu-
lar intelligence. 1t holds a relation
to the mind Of the people which the
railway holds to their locomotion. 1t
should be both decent and disinter-
ested. 1t is likely to be neither if it
serves the ambition of a self-seeking
politician, or the avarice of some cor
porate private ownership. 1t is dis
tinctly a public conveyance and only
valuable as such. The newspapers
which reach nearest this requisition
are most successful. Those that falsi-
| fly it generally fail of success.
Clark Howells defeat for governor
of Georgia by Hoke Smith is sugges-
be governor of Georgia? Why should
he not be content with the place of
editor of a prosperous and infiuen-
tial newspaper?
The profession of journalism may
not offer as many rewards to ambi-
ton as the profession of politics, or
arms. The statesman and the soldier
become part of the recorded history
of their country and time; if famous,
of all time. Their words are crystal
lied into enduring form, their deeds
narrated and pcitorialized, sometimes
they are elevated upon pedestals and
perpetuated in bronze marble. Often
they seem heroes and live in the
hearts of their followers and in the
memory Of those who come after
them.
The most successful journalist, like
the most celebrated players, dies
and leaves no copy" The best Of him
is hid away in musty files and forgot
ten. For him exists not even the &C
cessories of the theater, the vivid
though mimic scene, the glare and
glitter of lights, the glory of sock and
buskin,, however, fitful and unreal,
yet yielding certain exploitation. as
dear to human vanity as 'the applause
of listning senates to command" or
laurel wreaths after cities taken and
battles won. For him, none of these;
but instead the only grateful homage
THAT of his conscience for duty done,
the silent plaudits of his self-respect
in doing good, the somewhat equivo-
cal pleasure of being rather useful
tnan pretty.
In the proportion, however, that
the journalist is free man, who has
never crooked the pregnant hinges of
the knee for fortune, for ribbon or for
place, nor fawned upon the harlotry
of public opinion, there comes a
breezy solicitation unknown to the
favorites of courts and forums who
lprance around in togas and stars and
carriers achieved by more or less of
self-seeking and servility. There is a
genuine compensation in this. 1t
brings less dazzle. but more happi.
ness.
The fate of Greeley and Raymond
and Forney ought to be warning to
others of their calling who feel the
i fieabite of Office. Journalism is quite
as jealous mistress as law. 1t has
but few honors to bestow; but it will
not share these with politics.
There is an instinct in office get
ting at war with the instinct of jour
nalism. The one is an offspring OF
genius for personal solicitation, the
other of the spirit of independence Nc
man may sevre two masters. The
journalism who seeks perferment puts
himself at an immediate and serious
disadvantage. He is Sabbath school
teacher who wants drink on Sunday
a book worm among athletes, 8
tenderfoot among cowboys. He can
not be at one and the same time the
holder Of an Office and the head of 6
newspaper if he expects to obtain pop
ularity, which got him the Office. Oh
exercise influence without which the
newspaper must be rather barrier
ideality from any elevated point o.
! view. He must give up the one Oh
the other if he looks for long and safe
tenure.