Word: mencken
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1920-1929
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Gadfly Mencken...
...some years a gadfly, H. L. Mencken by name, editor of the American Mercury, has buzzed and stung at the flanks of U. S. journalists. But Gadfly Mencken does not sting solely to infuriate. Gadfly Mencken is an idealist. He stings, he maddens, he browbeats only that working newspaper men may be awakened to the shame of their "cowardice, stupidity and Philistinism." Idealist Mencken has magnificent ideals for U. S. journalism...
...past, the Mencken idealism has seemed sometimes over-bitter, over-scornful. Emanating from the studious atmosphere of a secluded Baltimore library, it has seemed far removed from the ugly realities it so resents. Now all this is to be changed. Idealist Mencken has shown himself to be a practical as well as an inspired reformer. Last week the Chicago Tribune Syndicate advertised that Idealist Mencken had offered his service to any and all papers in the land that were desirous of employing "a great literary critic . . . perhaps the fore- most in America." Hereafter there will be no excuse...
...function of the critic hardly needs a serious defense in this more or less enlightened day, and what defense is necessary he himself is well able to make. Mr. H. L. Mencken, who is perhaps the high priest of modern American criticism, has said that the function of the critic is to cherish and point to the highest literary standard possible...
Provoked by recent discussions, in journalistic trade sheets, of codes of journalistic ethics, Editor Mencken launched forth upon a masterly historical account of the deliverance of journalism from commercial bondage. "The spirit spread like a benign pestilence and presently it invaded even editorial rooms. In almost every great American city some flabbergasted advertiser, his money in his hand, sweat pouring from him as if he had seen a ghost, was kicked out with spectacular ceremonies. All the principal papers, growing rich, began to grow independent, virtuous, even virginal. No - - - could dictate to them, God damn ! So free reading notices disappeared...