Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-17

/ who broke into journalism He had
been given a name which suggested a
career as a molder of public opinion He
/ intended to illustrate a new type of
! journalism, and after a few months It
became perfectly evident that he had
succeeded He took himself seriously,
which was fortunate. since the smiles
, that lighted the faces of those who had
/ their eyes upon him were interpreted as
/ tributes to his genius. He had certain
theories OF making journalism popular,
which, while not strikingly original,
were yet in evidence OF his great breadth
and catholicity-
In the great public pond are a hungry
horde with mouths agape, and the catch
depends entirely upon the bait. This
/ requires series Of hooks and an infinite
| variety OF bugs, worms and flies. To
crop metaphor, every reader must have
| opinions dished up to his own taste until
he becomes enamored with the taste, and
/ then gradually the mess may be modi-
he'd by admixtures which 1t pleases the
cook to incorporate. Now there are GER
tain matters Of general interest which
offer an attractive field for one who
would mold public opinion so firmly that
It VIII stay nodded, but not become
moldy
There is religion, for instance: every
body has ties binding him more or less
closely to some denomination. How
easy II becomes, then to write editorials
which will touch a popular chord, which
shall vibrate in tune with the writer's
ambassadorial aspirations. So, in look
ing over the daily papers, his themes
| suggested themselves. There is to be an
organ recital at the South End Presby-
terrain Church on Wednesday evening,
next. There is no music so inspiring as
that OF the organ, and the great Presby-
terian Church. with its noble following,
Is a great force in the land, without which
we should be poorer" The Presbyteri-
ans OF course, take that bait but we don't
have to read far until we come to some
thing like this Father -- preached
most eloquent sermon az Saint Leo's
Church, last Sunday. The priesthood
Is famed for its eloquence. but no less for
its piety, and it is fortunate that their
zeal for the uplifting Of humanity is
equaled by that of the laity" That
makes another large class of readers feel
good-or is presumed 10. But there are
Others, for instance: "The Methodist
sociable held last evening at the Wesley
Church was a pronounced success. These
Methodists enter into everything with
enthusiasm, and are as eager to save
souls as they are to dispense the sun
shine of life"
In the first week the whole field was
covered, even John Alexander Dowie
getting his share of the honey that
dnpped from the editorial pen, and all
was serene. Having captured everybody
with religious ties, there came a glorious
opportunity. When opportunity knocks
oitentimes the sounds are so faint
that 1t takes an alert ear to detect them
But opportunity was admitted, and this
was her message: champion the cause
of the toilers, and spread il on with a
trowel There is a printers strike and
other papen are in trouble; champion
the cause OF these poor downtrodden
creatures"
The hint was sufficient "They have
been union shops" he unused "while this
has been an open shop. They become
open and Ill be union. Furthermore,
III become ardently union, on the sup
position that the workingmen are suckers
and will turn their pennies into my
Golfers. And all was serene and grow
ing serener every hour. IL was a case of
evolution. Having drawn the net and
landed a collection of suckers, they were
his to dispose Of as he thought fit. Having
nodded public opinion, that opinion
could be made to serve certain personal
ends So he took counsel with his am
bition, not inviting his modesty to the
conference. There was a certain Sena-
tor who desired public opinion manu-
featured in his interest. II that Sena-
tor had sufficient influence with the
President, public opinion might be trans
formed into something personally useful
and honorable For the opinions Of the
readers of paper are the personal prop
erty of the editor TO be shaped and re-
shaped by him at will.
As a consequence he began to do Justice
to the little Senator; then more than
justice, and, finally, injustice by spread
ing il on too thick Then one day the
editor appeared at Washington and
modestly hinted that he was ready to
receive the reward that nature had or
dained in the beginning by giving him
the talents which he had labored in vain
TO keep from being obtrusive. Any little
thing would do-Minister TO France, for
instance-he wasn't disposed TO ask for
anything much.
But opportunity is a treacherous jade;
she had lured him on, and when the
promised land loomed on his vision it
was only TO fade like a mirage. He
wasn't 20 be Minister 10 France; he was
70 stay right at home and mold public
opinion some more. Then the afore-
said public opinion received a very rude
JOLT Il learned that the little Senator
was all sorts of bad man and not fit to
be trusted with public affairs. IL seems,
after ALL that the editor was solicited TO
take an important post-presumably
Ambassador 20 france-but in modesty
declined At least this is the plausible
tale that now bats the hook that is
flashed before the eager mouth OF poor
public opinion. Selahi
Republican Glasses" in the Star
drops from a rather sensible line of talk
into imbecility in seeking TO condemn
: the Board Of Health for making certain
appointments. While admitting that
the persons appointed arc well qualified
and viii do their duty efficiently. it
maintains that the Offices should have
J gone to political workers, as these are in
touch with the people and know their
wishes. This is not idiocy. but special
pleading If there is anything of inn
portance Il is that these subordinates
shall faithfully perform the duties re-
quired by the board. They have nothing
70 do with hrousing around to ascertain
what the ward heelers think. Who cares
what they think On the matter Of
public health their thoughts are best