Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-05-07

4 Inc freedom OF speech enjoyed By
members Of this house, would be Of Itle
avail. " they were not allowed 10 print &.
circulate their sentiments among their con.
suinen's, and in the country at large.
Errors, indlscretions, corruptions. and
uaurpsiions, might exist 10 an alarming
extent, yet reform would be utterly hone
less. Before reform can take place in
toe legislation or administration az q free
government, We must first reform nubl;c
/ opinion How is this 20 be done. ,,nles.
the people can he approached through tho
medium OF the press. aud induced 10 read
and consider The productions Of those who
are labofing for the public welfare
The history of the world, for the last
century. scarcely furnishes an instance of
revolution IN government, that has not
been produced. IN good degree. by the
genial influence OF the press. In some ca
ses, The books and pamphlets, and 10 9TH
ers the newspapers, have wrought a
change 20 public opinion, that has been fol-
lowed up by eiril commotion. tending to
enlarge the liberties OF the people. Uni.
iormly, the newspaper presses have led off
N iavor Of liberal principles. Witness the
recent revolution 10 France and Belgium.
Whenever any portion Of the press lsgs
behind, u Is IN the pay and under the con-
troll oil individuals whose interests are adj
verse TO those Of the majority. Left free
goes with the people, as certainly as wa
ter seeks its level.
great deal has been said OF the licen.
tiousncss OF the press but not charge
can be made against it, that does not APP
ply m principle TO the printers and pub
fishers OF books, and The freedom Of speech.
do the public journals abuse iheif liberty?
90 DO those who print pcrnicious books,
circulate scandalous reports DO the news
papers delame great and good menp so
DO the others and often in more per-
maneni and dangerous form. Have they
condemned sound doctrine in ethics and
politics, and maintained principles that
must overthrow all governments, resolve
society INTO Us elements Books and or
htors do The same thing, IN more seduc-
tive and eileetnaI manner. II is impossi-
bic 10 separate them. To condemn one,
y 70 pass sentence against the others.
III The press has great influence in the
formation and communication OF opinions.
Is u not all important. that we should ele.
vste " purity IL, by all means in our pow
er. This can never be done by proscrip-
ton. All experience proves, that men Of
talents and virtue, who have desire for
distinction. will select that path which
Is most likely 20 lead them TO tbtir object.
DO we desire 10 see men OF high charac
ter. aud splendid talents, engaged in con-
dac ting the periodicals. OF our countty3
Render the profession honorable. To de-
grade it. is TO drive them from IL. and 10
abahdoB Jour pubic press 10 the super
ia,sDdence Of incompetent and unptinci-
pied idiyIduss, wholly unwolhy Of so high
a trust There - q great deal Of the obi
UNI of the profession attaches To each mem
ber Of u. honest aud pure as he may be;
and perhaps there - no position In soci.
ETY.. where IL - SO difficult for man 10
retain pnre character, as at the editorial
desk. II this be true, does IL not follow
that there Is no one, IN which character
50 preserved more richly deserves the pub.
lie appreciation A man who becomes
an editor. snakes OF himself target for.
the arrows of detrsetion, and an object of
hlaekensng sbuse and if IL be difficult IN
this m,ua,ion. TO maintain perfect putty
OF character, IL is siih nors difficult 10
appear so. The resoluic advocate OF free
principles in al sges, whether acting as
orators. statesmen, or editors, have beeu
objects OF brutal attack by the minions Of
power and corruption.