Count Witte, Russian Prime Minister, summoned his secretary one
day and gave him this order:
“Make out a full list of the authors of the articles that are
directly against me in the daily press.”
The secretary went to work, and with the aid of his office force
in a week prepared a list of about a thousand articles, with the
writer’s names appended. The clippings were properly classified,
put in an album, and dutifully handed to the Premier.
“In how many instances,” he asked, “have I been commended?”
“In three, your excellency.”
“Very well; now select the most abusive and personal of the
unfavorable articles, and let me know the names of the writers.”
This list, too, was duly prepared and presented.
“Shall I bring this to the attention of the public prosecutor?”
queried the secretary.
“For what purpose?”
“Why, to institute proceedings under the statutes regulating the
press.”
“No, I do not wish it,” said the Premier. “I wish to select
from these journalists my most aggressive critic and make him
my advocate and spokesman. I shall offer him the editorship of
my organ. Experience has taught me that the best champion and
most faithful defender is the man who has been your bitterest
assailant.” (Text.)
(913)
=Enemies of Character=--See SELF-CONFLICT.
=Enemy of the World, An=--See MYSTERY, VALUE OF.