The Washington herald., 1910-05-18
JOURNALISM OF TODAY
A Profession Without Code of Ethics,
Says Editor Watterson.

but it is not a commodity like dry goods.
pork and beans, hardware and cutlery.
1t may not care TO have any opinions
but in case II does, II should seek and
aim to be keeper OF the public con-
science, an example and counselor. not a
corner groceryman; level OF head and
kindly OF heart. upright and elevated, al
ways sincere and truthful. avoiding, as It
would avoid pestilence and famine, the
character Of a common scOld
The leading editorial whose disappear
ance is predicted and whose decline IS
obvious, has suffered most by the tran
sition process from the personal TO the
impersonaL There was exhilaration in
pistols and coffee. The duell0 was more
interesting and less expensive than the
libel suit. The good old times OF gun
play are alas no more. II a gentleman
nowadays shoots another gentleman they
call It murder. Most OF US have 10 work
for a living. and some OF us even TO be
trained 70 il. ! do not wonder that the
wooden nutmeg affair I'm big type, when
for the most part defaces the editorial
page. as II IS called. having nobody be
hind it. and neither continuity OF pur-
pose nor the spirit Of intellectual recti-
tude and accountability. has fallen into
discredit II might as well be dispensed
with. II is no longer an effective nor an
engaging arm of the service. But the
rationale Of the days doings rendered
with good sense and in good faith. by a
self-respecting. conscientious writer. VIII
always command attention and be worth
its space; and. as this is done with power
or charm will 70 rank in drawing and
selling quality with the news features.
Success may be attained without Il, but
not distinction and influence Il is as a
cornice 10 an edifce. It gives style. an
air OF completeness. and attracts atten-
tion, which. after all. IS the kernel Of ad-
vertising. at once the source and re-
source. the bUttress and the bell-tOwer,
Of newspaper enterprise and achievement.
But IL must be absolutely dislnterested
and genuine. recognized. no matter how
mistaken as honest. not 10 be bought by
patronage, nor bullied because cowardIy
and afraid
The single apprehension which mas
sometimes crossed my fancy touching the
modern newspaper has been that IL is. by
its indifference % personal sensibilities
and its invasions Of private life incident
20 the mad rush OF news, detaching
itself from tho affections OF the people.
but I am an optmist, not pessimis,.
and I 1--we IN the hope that. finding out
the error OF educating It's public % the
lower standards. IL viii turn about and
create a higher order. where good will
and good taste are presiding deiues. re-
sembling those in days and lands OF
fable of which we are told that the
gods loved all that spake the truth and
lived clean. nor ever forgot % take care
OF their own"
In a word. I do not think the newspaper
should consider itself as a public prose
cUtOr; rather the personal representative,
friend. and neIghbor Of good men and
good women. pouring in upon the com
munitv the sunshine Of Heaven, not kin
ding and stirring the fires Of he'll; its
aim and end. first. last and all the time
TO enIighten and 20 brighten, 20 radiste
and TO warm, not 10 emb.tter, 10. brow
beat and 20 dazzle.