The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1940-10-03
Advice From Fifty Years Ago
For National Newspaper Week

Colonel r. H. Henry, founder and for fifty
years owner of the Daily Clarion Ledger,
Jackson Mississippi morning paper, was one
of the most illustrious journalists this state
has ever known.
In his highly readable book, Editors /
Have Known the late editor gives some
potent advice to "young publishers, ambitious
boys just starting out on their Journalistic
legs, with their lives all before them, and
hope swelling in their breasts" The book
was printed in 1922.
This week when we are observing Nat
5onal Newspaper week it might not be amlsS
for editors to read Colonel Henry's advice.
Most of it still holds true. today the same as it
was true fifty years ago. We quote:
Many things are necessary to win success in
any calling-hard work, indefatigable energy,
love Of ones business, a firm resolve to succeed,
never be discouraged, never admit the possibility
of failure, and have implicit faith in oneself,
and do one thing only.
Do one thing only, do it well and with all your
might , and success must crown your efforts as
certainly as the night follows the day.
Print clean, moral, reliable, fearless papers.
Say whatever you please, if you consider it right,
for the public admires a bold editor.
Have opinions of your own, and the courage
to express. Don't print a shallow, timid, colorless
journal, afraid of its own shadow. Declare yourself
vi Oil queSIioHS, pOhICdl, secular ana OLneWlSe.
Don't be a neutral, or moral coward. Don't
attempt to float in a dead eddy, but swim with
the live current.
Don't above all things play the toady to people
in or out of position, to gain favor or secure
patronage; for of all people on earth, the toady
is the most disgusting and contemplate; his
syncophantic fawning is always seen through and
understood, and il he gain favor at all it is at
the sacrifice Of self-respect.
No one can have any respect for q toady.
Stand by your party friends, and criticise your
enemies; but be just, generous and truthful in
your dealings with men and measures.
Praise your friends, political or social, believ-
ing them to be right, and fudge a little in their
behalf If necessary. Condemn your political en-
emies, giving them Old Harry whenever they
deserve it. You can have nothing to expect from
fractional opponents; therefore waste no time
upon them. You know where they stand; they
are always against you.
Criticse those with whom you disagree, in
q ~dignified and manly way, when the occasion
~justifies; but do not SANDER or abuse them, un-
less you would aid in their schemes and ambi-
tions.
Throw = brick occasionally If you do break .
glass. Speak right out in meeting, to let your
opponents know you are on the quarter deck,
and ready for action.
Have a definite policy and adhere to il. Let
no man shape your editorial views or change your
business methods. Manage your paper yourself
and allow no one to run over your styles, plans
and ideas.
Don't allow the front office to control your
editorial opinions. Don't permit business firms,
through threats of withdrawal of patronage, to
intimidate you, or force you to advocate a policy
contrary to your views.
Beware of corporations, with their baleful in
fluence. Sell them space, but not editorialsI
Treat them justly and fairly, but never become
their advocates for money. The paper that once
becomes the champion of corporate interests
never gets its head out of the moose, and yields
no influence, for the public is not fooled, and
never forgives the paper whose corporation edi-
torials place it under Suspicion suspicion it can
never dispel or relieve.