The story of the Sun, New York: 1833-1928 / by Frank M. O'Brien ; with an introduction by Edward Page Mitchell ...

172 THE STORY OF "THE SUN"
the writer actually show in his work. They measure
our journalistic production by an English standard,
which lays it down as its first and most imperative
rule that editorial writing shall be free from the characteristics of the writer. This is ruinous to good
writing, and damaging to the sincerity of writers.... If we choose to glow or cry out in indignation,
we do so, and we are not a bit frightened at the sound
of our own voice.
Dana himself had that peculiar faculty, as indescribable as instinct, of knowing, when he saw an article in
the paper, just how much work the author of it had put
in-particularly in cases where the labor had been in
leaving out, rather than in writing. As a result of this
intuition he never drove his men. He would accept three
lines or three columns for a day's work, and his admiration might go out more heartily to the three lnes. As
for the appearance of characteristics in men's writing,
that was as necessary, in Dana's opinion, as it was wicked
in the judgment of the ancient editors.