Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-11-23
General EInteIEig crsce
EDITORIAL CONYENrIoN

Another Convention of the Editors of
orth Carolina, was held in Raleigh. on
the Isl OF this monlh-The objects of
the Convention were to establish uniform
regulations with regard to printing pr;.
ets' relative to employing workmen, and
0'ner matters concerning the mechanical
dePartment-also. to purge the press of
scurrility, promote its dignity, and incite
feeling OF respect and difference among
Eui'ors' In controversy. as well as in ali
the other relations they sustain towards
each other. Ali truly important objects
nat with reference to the economy of
pruning TO publishers, end the latter re-
ia'iVe 10 the dignity of the press, is Of
the utmost moment to the whole coun>
Try. A mighty influence, rot duly es,i.
mated, is exerted by the press over pub
JIG morals and taste, good or bad. as the
press is honest and dignified or corrupt
and iicentious. In the preamble to their
resolutions, the Convention say of ths
press :-"lnstead of being the iuminarv
OF truth and intelligence, it has been un.
fortunately converted, in toe MANY in
stances, into vehicle of ribaldrv and
personal defamation. In the political
contests, Instead Of candid and conscien.
uous approval or condemnation of meas
Sures, 1t has drawn forth from private
NE the venial errors Of MEN, and, eyap-
gerating an hundred fold, has held them
up 10 the public contempt and ridicule
our committee are. however, gratjtied
by the reflection, that the press of North
carolina is as little obnoxious to these
structures. as that of any other State in
the Union. Blu; we have all occasional
" gone astray and 20 elevate the char
acter OF the press, its conductors must
carefully guard against those departures
iIom correct course, which have SO
great tendency to impair its usefulne,s.
by studiously cultivating a mutual spirit
OF kindness and forbearance, and by do
ing justice to one another, the conGuc
Tors OF the press may raise il above the
influences which have depressed it."
Among other resolutions the Conven-
ton adopted the following:
Resolved, That it should be the p,ids
as u is the duty, of those to whom is
conIded the control of free press, so to
conduct 1t, that whilst, or the one hand
lis whole energies shall be brought TO
Dear upon public wrongs, the greatest
care should be exercised, that. in no case
shall ii violate the sanctity Of private life.
10 this end, editors should carefully alb.
stain In their discussions, from ali per-
sonalities and indecorous language.
they should compel CORES pondents in
tneIr heated controversies, to respect the
character oil the press, and the commu-
NIFTY, or to find the means of publication
e'Sewhere-and, in word, they should
endeavor to make the press, what II
ought TO be, the advocate of morality. ra l..
tloual liberty, and social order-the pro.
moter oil arts science and industry-and
last though far from least, the incorrun-
t'oie champion Of our constitution and
laws. NV
Resolved, That no statement or rom.
munlcatIon in relation to personal dis.
Putes or private controversies shall bs
admitted into the columns OF the pnbl;c
Journols Of this State, otherwise than sc
an advertisement, and that double the
ordinary rates be charged for anv .ncb
advertisement. And, further, that in mo
instance will we insert an advertisement,
of a husband against his wifi. 4"
Inc Convention also resolve that If a.
ny editor forfeit his pledge. after ayree-
ing to the resolutions, all professional in.
tercourse with him shall be immediatsIv
discontinued. - Compiler.