"The greatest characteristic of a true-born journalist," says a writer, "is the aptness with which he can distinguish news, and the ability to clothe that news into appropriate and readable language." It need not be adorned with flowers and rhetorical flourishes, but the facts should be presented in a clear, easy style, so that there can be no danger of a misunderstanding on the part of any reader. It is our impression that we have many able to do this among our Afro-American people; yes, many endowed with that journalistic power, which, if cultivated by continual use and strengthened by constant reading and studying, will make them members of one of the greatest professions we have knowledge of.
In newspaper work, the Afro-American may regard it an honor to have any of his productions published in a white journal; he may regard it a favor, a compliment to himself and to his race; but how much more credit it would be to the race and to himself, were he employed upon the editorial staff of a metropolitan daily, or as a reporter for a large and widely-circulated white journal; or to be held in such estimate as to be asked by the leading magazines and dailies of the country for a letter, or a contribution on some stated subject. This we conceive to be the recognition which the ability of many of our journalists demands, but which only a few have received.
In what section of our country this recognition is accorded us, the reader will readily conjecture. There can be no dispute as to whether it comes from the North or the South, since it is so apparent it is from the North. We do not, however, receive full recognition in the North; for many young men, educated at Harvard or Yale, too lazy to work and afraid to come South, are employes of the hotels; whereas, in the South, if we are educated, we can get, at least, a country school to teach.
