Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-10-20

such mighty revolutions in the empire
Of mind as the art of printing. The
era of its discovery may be %emphatical-
ly styled the midnight Of the world
The lights which in successive ages had
sprung up, on the European continent
and in certain parts Of Africa, serving
but to render visible the surrounding
darkness, had either been utterly ex-
tinguished, or at best, emitted but a
pale and sickly ray. Philosophy seem.
ed to be inextricably entangIed in the
cobwebs ofthe schools. Learning-if
il be not a perversion of language TO
apply a term of such dignified import,
to the partial acquaintance of a few
monks, with the absurd speculations in
morals and physics, ofthe ancient phi
losophers-was confined to the cells of
the cloister. Religion-dethroned by
the iron arm of Superstition, had re-
turned to her native skies and Liber.
ty, the offspring of Religion-rent from
the fostering care OF her benignant pa
rent, and unable to withstand, alone
and unaided, the violence other relent.
less foe-had, at length, sunk under
the reiterated blows ofthe usurper, and
been buried too deep for resurrection.
1t was at such a period of universal ig.
norance and corruption, that the press
was %invonted, and its potent energies
begun to be applied TO the correction Of
existing abuses. Its subsequent histo-
~ is too well known to need a recapit-
ulation. Suffice it to say, that it has
ever spurned the checks attempted to
be imposed upon it, by the hand of ar
bitrary power; and by its amazing eff
fects, has indicated its claim to be
considered the greatest moral engine
yer committed to the care of man.
But, propitious as its influence is &C.
knowledged to have been, in the main,
to the aus oftruth, there is no reason
in the nature of the case, why this
mighty instrument may not be prosti-
tuted to the service of error. That the
press has been often thus Suborned, it's
history furnishes amT lie evidence; and
no other cause can be assigned for the
preponderance of its good efects-than
the fact, that there is inherent in vir-
tue, an elastic vigor and impulsive en-
ergy, which belong not to the consti-
tuition of vice. 1t is unnecessary-in
looking for al example of the abuse of
the presto recur to the experience
Of former ages or even to step over
our own threshold. The present age
and indeed our W country-abounds,
alas, to how fearful an extent with
such ~ungrateful instances. Let us con-
slider a single department of the SUBJ
ject.
Ii in any government, more than
another, the elevation and dignity of
the political press be an object ofpecu.
liar moment,-assuredly that govern
ment is a republic, such as ours. Here
the principle is established, that all
power resides in and emanates from the
people and without stopping to in
quire into the policy of their holding
this vast power-it is sufficient to al.
Jude to the fact that they claim and do
actually exercise it hence it is abso.
lutely essential to the welfare-and
even the security Of the state-that the
popular mind be enlightened to the
highest possible degree. But whence
are the people to derive the wisdom
requisite to guide the affairs of the
country with discretion? From the
circumstances ofour situation and cha.
racter, their exclusive dependence for
political information, and knowledge of
the principles OF government-must be
upon the press. But in the best state
o Fittings that could be nationally hoped
for, the press would be inadequate to
meet so serious a demand !; and yet
how far is it removed from this imagin.
arg perfection! What is the character
ofthe editorial corps in the U. States ?
AS a body, are they rendered conspi.
cuous in society by their superior learn.
ing, ability, and virtue ?-by that re.
fined taste, dignified wisdom and high
moral worth, which should distinguish
those who aspire to mould the public
mind, and guide its movements ? Ii is
a mockery to ask the question.
But leaving the motley tribe who
have stationed themselves at intervals
often or twenty miles through the land,
to pour fourth on the community their
precious illusions of alternate wit and
wisdom land directing our attention
to the cities, how much do we find mat
tiers improved Here, of course, the
literary standard is somewhat higher
than in the country /; YET how MANY
things do we find, even here, obnox-
lous to c%ensure? Where is the unde.
WAITING r~ectitude-the nice sense of no.
nor-the noble independence we natu.
rally look for in those important posts?
How often do we see those who have
been set as sentinels on the watch. tow.
er of liberty, basely betrQyng their
high trust-by connivinp at vice non