Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-10-28
Power Of Editorials.

According to the Raleigh News OBJ
are having great time discussing why
it ID that editorials are not read. So
there are clereymen who complain that
their sermons do not attract auditors.
1t must be melancholy reflection to
the man whether in the pulpit or in the
saDctun that his labors are counted as
naught by those for whose edifcation
or enlightenment much time and thought
has been expended. Where such is the
case there is generally reason other
than that of lack of intelligent appreci-
alton of what is worth hearing or read
ing on the part of the church con-.
gregation or the newspaper SUBJ
scribers. Our Raleigh contemporary
admonishes its disheartened contempor.
aries that ',he reason our editorials are
not more generally read is because we
don't put the ginger in them; we ,are
too dreary and stilted and labored; we
write on subjects we hadn't ought to
write on, as they are not genelnl in.
terest; we beat about the bush too
much to avoid giving offense. Good
editorials are read, and always will be.
Colonel Watterson, in his palmy days.
made of the Louisville Courier Journal
one or the most popular papers in the
United States, not because of it's sur
passing news service. but on account
OF its fine editorial page"
The Norfolk Virginia Pilot in COM
menting en- the above says
There are of course, both preachers
and journalists who have mistaken
their calling, who have no message to
deliver, or wko are incapable of vest
ing it with the vigor of thought aud i'm
pressiveness of language which will
command attention. But apart from
these there, are others in both profess
slons who are satisfied with perfunctory
performances of their mission, who do
not put their hearts and minds into
their work. who shrink from express
sion of their convictions on subjects as
to which there is sharp division of
public sentiment. who follow paths of
least resistance and drawl along in dull
comments on commonplace topics for
fear Of rousing antagonism or forfeit
ing favor. or from tenperamental
apathy towards live issues. The man
who has something to say and says it
clearly and boldly seldom fails of q
hearing whatever the medium he uses
for disseminating his opinions. The
Newspaper which keeps up with the
currents of popular thought and contri-
butes to them we'll considered and well
phrased editorial discussion of the cues
tlons on which those currents. turn.
will, so far as our notice goes, never
want for an interested clientele. When
the editor himself feels an impellinp
interest in the matter he treats of.
gives forth no certain sound when
right is in danger or wrong in the as
cendant. and offers to the public neither
instruction, guidance nor mental re.
freshments, he has no one to blame but
himself if his own attitude is reflected
in that of the public.
The trouble with many writers of ed
itorials is the attempt to write when
they are out of tune. 1t is said that
Maeauley, when he found his mind was
becoming sluggish. would drop the pen
and wait until his muse returned.
Writing, like humor, must be spon-
taneous. and the man who attempts to
amuse or edify readers daily may find
it difficult. The elder Snowden would
sometimes for weeks fill the editorial
department of the Gazette with COM
ments from other papers. At inter-
walls he would print lengthy editorial
which was always closely studied and
copied in many other papers. -Alexan-
dria Gazette.