State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-11-29

The following communication comes
from a highly respectable source, and is
reco 'mended TO the notice of
tile editorial corps. 1t is not to be denied
that the character of the American news
paper press has been lowered to hurnli-
ating extent within the last ten years. The
chaste and dignified cast of English period
icals presents striking contrast to those of
our own country.
For the State Journal,
MIR EDITOR ut is unpleasant to be al
ways finding fault, but the public good
seems to demand some animadversion on
the MANNER in which political controversy
is conducted in the public papers. 1t is a
fact that newspapers have mighty infu-
ence in forming the taste, the manners, the
habits of thinking and, in fact ttAe whole
character of the community, Perhaps
one half of the readers of newspapers find
more than half of all their reading in
these publications. Every rejecting mind
must see, therefore, that the character of
the newspapers is likely to be impressed
on the minds of large portion of the
community.
If then these vehicles of thought abound
in low and vulgar expressions, silly with
cisms, vituperaton, evil surmises, railing
accusations, contemptuous and scornful
denunciations, foolish puns, aud senseless
nick-namcs, they cannot fail of producing
a most unhappy effect. To me it seems,
Mr. Editor, that every man who under
takes to conduct public periodical as
sumes tremendous responsibility. Ger
tanly, at the tribunal of GOD, he must
answer for the moral effect which his pa
per or pamphlet is calculated to produce
on his readers. He then who conducts his
journal with wise reference to his appear
ance at that tribunal will not, even to carry
a favorte point in politics, or togrally pr-
vate spleen, admit an article calculated TO
encourage evil speaking, SANDER, and re-
Wiling, or needless disregard of truth, or
a willingness to give currency to reports
the character of candidate for
office, or, indeed, of any man, in the alb
sence OF competent evidence Of their truth.
| much respect the "corps editorial" but |
am compelled to believe that the commune
ty suffers, not only in taste and manners,
but, (what is infinitely more disastrous) in
moral and religious character, from the in
tluence of many, very many of our pub
lie journals. And here, Sir, permit me to
ask, what, in your own estimation, is likely
to be the character of the youth of our
State, if it be moulded and fashioned by
the newspapers? Happily for them, they
enjoy to some extent counteracting inhu-
ences but who would be willing that a
neighbor should teach his children to lie,
and swear, and SANDER, and steal, because
he himself, and all other members of his
family, and even some of his neghbors, are
actively engaged in teaching them better?
And who will believe that the responsibility
of neighbor teaching these vices is re-
moved, or greatly diminished, by such
influence
am aware that it may be said, the pub
lie taste requires the style and spirit in
which the journals are conducted, especial
ly in regard to politics, But to me it seems
that an Editor, instead of following and
corrupt taste, should consider
it his sacred duty, and his high privilege,
to labor to correct it. Who can estimate
the good that might be accomplished, in
few short years, by such a course faithfully
pursued by every Editor, to the exclusion
of all articles Of corupting tendency
Will it be said that journals conducted in
this manner would not be supported You,
Sir, will never, trust, urge an objection of
this sort against doing right. Your princi-
pies, if have not misunderstood them,
will prompt you TO say to such an objection,
What has an honest man to do with con-
sequences in the fearless and faithful dis
charge of his duly? And who, ask is
wiser, or is a better calculator for himself
Than he, who said, "Trust in the Lord and
do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land
and verify thou shalt he fed" Sir, do
know that some gentlemen, and firmly
believe great many, refuse TO take news.
papers which otherwise they would gladly
pHtronize, on account of their tendency to
violate the taste, vuIgarizo the manners,