THE POSITION OF EDITORS.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 95, 4 January 1868, Page 6

THE POSITION OF EDITORS.

An interesting and full-freighted article on the “ Leading Political Editors of Washington ” affords The National Intelligencer an opportunity to contrast the estimation placed upon editors in past and present times by other prominent publicists. “ Such men,” says The Intelligencer, "as James Buchanan, Robert J. Walker, William L, Marcy, and George Bancroft, leading members of the great Cabinet of Mr. Polk, unlike some of our present political functionaries, read newspapers and esteemed the editorial fraternity. We cannot help thinking that in the main the esteem in which editors are held, either in Washington or out of it, depends upon themselves and not upon people, however eminent, who are exterior in the profession. The editorial calling is second in importance and dignity to no other practised in this country, and a respectable editor is surely any day the superior of a trading politician. When our brethren of the Press will once, and in combination, awaken to a just sense of the elevation, the influence, and the responsibility of their functions ; when they cease to truckle to politicians, however influential, and make these men feel that they cannot control the Press in the interest of corruption ; when they resolutely determine to speak truth without fear or favour about the existing abuses of our system, whether in common councils, state assemblies, or national legislatures ; then, and not till then, will the profession of the journalist rise to its true level, and command the respect to which it is intrinsically entitled. The Press of this country has a magnificent future before it. No other power can accomplish its work or fill its niche. There have been some circumstances and some men, unfortunately, whose tendency and personal character have lowered the position and impaired the influence of American newspapers. News, indeed, has been thought too much of, and the editorial comment which accompanies it has been regarded too little. The public has learned to attach little importance to the editorial expression of opinion, because the editors have fallen into the habit of attaching so little importance to it themselves, A crude and hasty manner of writing producing articles which will hear no analysis, and whose single aim is to subserve a party interest—has thus become common, very much to the prejudice of the highest purpose and truest interests of the journals themselves. The suspicion, too, that newspapers are managed with a view to the political advancement of individuals, rather than for the edification of the public, inevitably weakens influence, and ultimately brings contempt. Self-respect is as potential with newspapers as it is with individuals commanding the respect , of others, and in keeping it when got. It is of unspeakable consequence to the future of this country that its professed journalists should be men of pure life, of wide attainments, of unequivocal patriotisroThe congressional standards, as indeed those of popular representation altogether, are falling lower and lower year by year; and if the Press cannot take a higher stand than it has done, we know not to what the people are to look for criticism of things bad, encouragement of things good, or for the germs of regeneration.”