Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-05

priacioles as of more Importance than men, he
finds perhaps that these principles assume SO
many notifications in the minds of different peo-
ME that no two classes of his friends precisely
agree. and that at every stephe takes, he nds him.
self running against some prejudice or interest
which cannot he assailed with impunlty. The
most honest and independent editor with whom
we are acquainted, has assured us. that he never
uttered wholesome truth, touching corporate
bodies, that did not cost him eight dollars, and
our own short experience has already pointed out
how difficult 1T is to pursue an independent
course without coming into collision with O,trS."
From the Newly jrk Daily Sentinel
The People and their Newspapers.-Ne pro-
posed to inquire to-day what means the pubic
has of reforming the periodical press OF our coun-
try.
The public press is somewhat like beautiful
and capricous wife. Even while she contri .
to lead and govern her lord and master,' she re-
mains entirely dependent on him for countenance
aod support. So it is Qeaving the beauty out of
the comparison, of which there is little alloat III
the periodical world of letters)-so it is, we say,
with newspaper. The public must support 1t,
before it can govern the public.
This, we shall be told, is nothing new. Every
BODY knows that the press is dependent on the
public But that dependence Is rather muzzle
than salutary check.
| Admitted: but it does not follow that 1t must
necessarily remain so. The public has trained
the press to BE- the caterer for their follcs. the hui
morer of their fances. the pander of their pre-
iudices. the buffoon for their amusement. The
public might have trained the press to be the re-
verse of all this; to be fearless, independent, no
nest, bold; .sa terror to evil doors, and praise
and protection to such as do WE'LL" And if the
public had known their own interest, they would
long since have made the press what 1t ought be.
| Each legal voter has small, but certain lnflu-
ence in the government of the country; and, in
ike manner. each citizen who takes newspaper
has a small but certain influence In regulating
public opinion. 1t is true that men are often
thoughtless enough to forget that the mountain is
composed of grains of sand; many 60 to the bal
lot box as carelessy as they would to the theatre,
but that does not diminish the real Importance of
the right of universal suffrage. And so, many
an one thinks little of the individual mfu-
ence which he, as patron of the press, possess
es. lie ought to think much of it; and to use
it most carefully, and critically, and conscien-
tiously.
Every man ought to feel it duty to examine
what is the most independent, honest and talented
paper in the CITY, village or neighborhood, where
he resides and to give that paper his hearty, effl
cient support.
But what do men do now? What is the first
question they ask about paper! Is 1t whether
it has been consistent in principle, mild In tenn
per, courteous in language? No, indeed. These
are the last questions asked. The first is what
party does it support? who Is its tavOrlte candi
date? The rest is all a secondary consideration.
almost matter of indifference.
The consequences are natural and evident e.
noueh A newspaper instead of being as it might
be, a useful conselor, dignified mentor, mora
and political guide, becomes mere soulless tool
a machine to weave tangled political web, {
transcript of party prejudices, retailer OF par
ty ISLANDERS, dealer out of party abuse and par
ty denunciations.
And, until the people cease to fall down anG
worship this demon of party spirit, newspaper:
are, high priests mnsterng to the political idola
try of tie hour.
If the people will have them to be something
better, let them lend hand to make them so.-
If the paper they take shows any symptom of thu
smallest derelicton from principle-if it lend it
self to detraction, and employ the language o.
violence-let them stop it at once. Do not le
them suffer it to drag on for few weeks Oh
months or years, just to see what it ,oiH say
Let them withdraw their support from what ough
not to be supported.
II, on the contrary, the paper they take show:
uprightness of principle and independence of spi
rit let them aid it, not only by their own patron
, age, but by making it known among their friend,
, and neighbors.
This may seem very roundabout way of re
forming national abuses, and raising the national
, character. But, if men could be persuaded tt
, follow it, it would prove most effectual one
Public opinion governs the world; the press gov
. erns public opinion; and popular patronage gov
: ems the press.
, sko61ae.
, ~ A number of cases of hydrophobia, are
, said to have appeared in Richmond.
-ssa5eess-
l The New York Evening Post expresses be-
> lief that tho comm;ttea NJ wayS and means will