The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 08 (of 12): Dresden Edition—InterviewsIngersoll, Robert Green
Religion
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 08 (of 12): Dresden Edition—Interviews
Ingersoll, Robert Green
Free thought
_Answer_. If the interviewers are fair, if they know how to ask
questions of a public nature, if they remember what is said, or
write it at the time, and if the interviewed knows enough to answer
questions in a way to amuse or instruct the public, then interviewing
is a blessing. But if the representative of the press asks questions,
either impudent or unimportant, and the answers are like the
questions, then the institution is a failure. When the journalist
fails to see the man he wishes to interview, or when the man refuses
to be interviewed, and thereupon the aforesaid journalist writes
up an interview, doing the talking for both sides, the institution
is a success. Such interviews are always interesting, and, as a
rule, the questions are to the point and the answers perfectly
responsive. There is probably a little too much interviewing, and
to many persons are asked questions upon subjects about which they
know nothing. Mr. Smith makes some money in stocks or pork, visits
London, and remains in that city for several weeks. On his return
he is interviewd as to the institutions, laws and customs of the
British Empire. Of course such an interview is exceedingly
instructive. Lord Affanaff lands at the dock in North River, is
driven to a hotel in a closed carriage, is interviewed a few minutes
after by a representative of the _Herald_ as to his view of the
great Republic based upon what he has seen. Such an interview is
also instructive. Interviews with candidates as to their chances
of election is another favorite way of finding out their honest
opinion, but people who rely on those interviews generally lose
their bets. The most interesting interviews are generally denied.
I have been expecting to see an interview with the Rev. Dr. Leonard
on the medicinal properties of champagne and toast, or the relation
between old ale and modern theology, and as to whether prohibition
prohibits the Prohibitionists.
_Question_. Have you ever been misrepresented in interviews?
_Answer_. Several times. As a general rule, the clergy have
selected these misrepresentations when answering me. I never blamed
them, because it is much easier to answer something I did not say.
Most reporters try to give my real words, but it is difficult to
remember. They try to give the substance, and in that way change
or destroy the sense. You remember the Frenchman who translated
Shakespeare's great line in Macbeth--"Out, brief candle!"--into
"Short candle, go out!" Another man, trying to give the last
words of Webster--"I still live"--said "I aint dead yit." So that
when they try to do their best they often make mistakes. Now and
then interviews appear not one word of which I ever said, and
sometimes when I really had an interview, another one has appeared.
But generally the reporters treat me well, and most of them succeed
in telling about what I said. Personally I have no cause for
complaint.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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