Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-01-19
THE VALUE OF A NEWSPAPER.

The Portland Advertiser has the following peril
nen, remarks on the vaue of newspaper
81 is extraordinary, that in this age,
distinguished for the general diffusion of
knovlcdgc, and the rapid circulation OF
facts, intelligence, SC, there should be
found a father of a family, or family,
that is unwilling to take "A newspaper
Have such families ever reflected that
there are now acting around them the
wonderful events that are to fill volumes
of history? Have they ever thought that
the newspaper spreads before their rea-
dcrs those events in all their freshness,
Iportraying them, too, with vlvldness
that no after historian can equal, and thus
making a deep impression coeval with
life itself? Books may essay in vam to
bring up IN all their force, and interest,
the history that newspapers chronicle IN
the excitement of the moHament. Long
after IA stirring period has passed, which
historians have treated, over and again,
the contemporary newspaper is found to be
the very best narrator ofthc times. They
awaken the interest of slumbering Inn
prcsslons They bring up the dead and
their deeds, and place them before us
with viyidncss. How necessary then is
newspaper when the very foundations
OF empires are broken up: when every
l thing Of power, or interest or instruction,
4 seems concentrated in the present mo-
mcnt. What better way oflcarning con
Temporary history than from the records
Iof the day which catch things as they
rise:
But to say nothing of European hsto-
Iry, we have history at home, that should
be studied by every republican The
working of this vast machinery OF States,
should be well understood. Every wheel,
and JOINT and spring, should be known;
and every result should be seen. Shame
alone, should teach man not to be lg-I
norant OF every thing around hun. The
! life and character of our rulers, the grad
mal progress of Legislation, the new mas
terry that mind is acquiring over matter,
| the progress of education, of discovery
and invention, of literature and science,
statistics, &C., are all absolutely ncces-
sary to every voter who ventures to trans
act business on the theatre of this great
Republic The public Press is the only
avenue to this information. The man
who does not take newspaper, must bel
ignorant of almost the whole. And what
is more to be deprecated, he is bring-l
ing uD family of children in the same
ignorance, thus ontailng depression upon
his own postcrty, and totally disqualiiy"
ing them TO act upon public business.
Aside from all the party chickering's of
almost all newspapers, the information a
lone is made accessible in the cheapest
form. What book furnishes SO much
knowledge at so cheap price? What
IS so well calculated to arouse in young
family every lively feeling Of awakening
interest, and 10 create even love of
reading? As a sort Of school book, the
newspaper then may be useful. With all
It's instruction, it teaches children not on
.ly to read, but what is far more difficult
to love reading; for often they will seek
that with avidity, when book will be to-
tally neglected
lie. every individual, then, who has not
access to a newspaper ofhiS orn, provide
himself with one He will find it partic-
ularly useful, especially during the win
ter, when the long evenings will leave
ample time for its perusal.