Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-05-01
from the Portland Advertiser.
NEWSPAPE RS.

NEWSPAPERS.
1t is an astonishing fact, that in coun-
try free as ours, aud where every voter
once or twice year, is called upon TO
discharge n duty at the ballot box, there
are many, very many persons, who new
er read Newspaper, and who know but
little more Of what is going on in their
own country, than in the dominons of
the Grand Mogul What they learn Of
their own political affairs, they learn from
verbal communication, sub jeCt as it is TO
various perversions, coloIings and mis-
conceptions; and acting upon such, anR
such communications only, they venture
to attempt to discharge the high and ho-
ly, and of course responsible duty of a
Judge over other mems actions and pin
ciples. They venture upon attempting
to settle the affairs of great nation, ex.
tending to various degrees of latitude,
and enlbodying an immense variety of
interests and prejudices,-and this with
out the study and qualifications deman-
dcd even in teacher of IA common coun-
try school, extending not over twenty
feet square! What Judge!
Newspapers are, in this country, one
Of the necessarics of life, second only to
food and clothing, and as impcriously
demanding the attention and forethought
of men, as fire or habtations. Think of
living in this world, and knowing moth
ing Of what is going OIL within it! Think
of revolution here, and al earthquake
thereof a grand discovery here, and a
sublime invention thereof movements
and agitations in one place, influencing
the destnies of nations and Of the world
for years, and Of improvements and ad-
vances in another place, elevating and
ennobling the condition of man,-and
yet Freeman, in Free Country stand
ing amidst all, and yet ignorant Of ALL
What blank, cypher, such mani
How little above the mere animal, who
eats as he eats, breathes as he breathes,
and above which he is only in the facul-
ty Of speech! For what is intcllig ence
without facts, information, direction, cal
culation? What but mere slumbering,
ra@ed-up ember, needing the tanning of
IA breeze to quicken its lifc--and that
tanning, what is going OH in shc world:
what the world does, as inspired by what
it knows,--and that breeze the news of
the day, the hurry, the hustle, and the
excitement of the times, in which we
live, move, and Think Talk Of past
knowledge! 1t is "A good ioundation on
which to build But the superstructure
is to be reared now. This moments
knowledge is worth all past knowledge,
as time present is worth more than time
past And he who would benefit man
kind, or do homer to himself, must colpe
forth into the world, and know what the
world is doing, and shape and snboSy
its energies.
History is important every body grants
Science is important in all estimation.--
Politics are Government; and as Gov
ernment is good or bad, SO is a people
prosperous or wretched, generally speak.
ing. But here, in Newspaper, is the
history Of every day, all spread before
you with vitality and freshness, which
no historian can equal. The very thing.
themselves, not their images, not thei
shadowy ghosts fit before you. The
substance out of which history is to bt
| woven, is upon the table. Men may tall
i, for themselves-no historian talks fo
them. You are living among all ant
are interested in all-and will you re
. fuse to buy, TO read, aye, to study wha
interests you? Bot Newspapers ar,
more than historians. They parade be
r fore you all the inventions, and discov
cries Of the times; they trAe with you
r condoIe with you, as well as instruc
, you. BY your own fresidc, fa:' from thu
scenes of interest, no matter whethe
o you are in the crowded city, or in re-
: mote country house, yet they bring al
before you, and to the very life-an'
). you are as well and often better inform
4 ed by them, than he who has seen ant
q participated in them ALL You need no
: stir from your farm, or even your owl
O chair, from your own bed-and yet these
n little messengers, silent and speeches
n as they are, will take you into the worl'
n and show forth all that is going on.
It Who can live without n Newspaper
;, What man will content himself with sucl
: ignorance' Better, far better, live o,
d one meal day, or live on the heapes
it and homeliest Of food. Talk of expen nse
o What expense is it? 1t is the cheapes
it book you can buy, for there is in it NOR,
/, reading matter than can be purchase,
d in any book for even double the sum-
o A father Of family who does not Civ,
p his children Newspaper, is guilty O
/ sin towards thcm-lor he keeps them il
= ignorance. lie takes away the stimu
n liant that will create an appetite for re nd