Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-03-14
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IMPORTANCE OF NEWSPAPERS.

Many are the persons in this our day
who look upon newspaper as a thing
OF but little Importance in family -
Fathers and mothers there are, who
deem it Of minor concern whether
their children are promptly informed
OF the events of the day, or remain to.
tally ignorant of them but such pa
rents entertain very erroneous i'm
preston respecting the value of know
ledge. To fitthe rising generation for
usefulness, and enable it to attend TO
the great trust that one day must be
committed to its care, so as not to i'm.
pair the institutions under which we
live, intelligence of what is transpiring
IN every part of the world, should be
spread abroad and made to reach ey.
cry dwelling in the nation. And how
can this be accomplished, in better,
more extensive, or efficient way than
by the newspaper press7 BY that a.
gent, the occurrences of the day, i'm.
portant and trifling, in every depart
ment of government, business, or sci.
ence, are spread before the eye in
manner so plain and palpable, that he
who runs, may read and understand
them.
The following extract illustrates the
importance and usefulness ola news.
paper in family better than a do.
zen homllies. 1t is from a letter to
the Editor of the Sangamon Journal,
written by a farmer who some years
! ago removed from Tennessee TO the
west, at which time he discontinued Ia.
king a newspaper. He was, when in
Tennessee, Jackson man, and went
west when the old Generals Pet Bank
Experiment was in its meridian glory.
After remaining in the west, lcithout a
newspaper, until that Experiment had
exploded, he, with his wife, paid vi.
SIT to relative in distant part of the
country. After the usual congratula.
tons were over, and the various topics
suggested by the meeting Of long part.
ed friends, were exhausted, the con-
versation turned upon the politics of
the day. Upon this subject, the far
mer, to the modification and distress
of his sensible spouse, found himself TO.
tally ignorant. He says =
All subjects which might be suppo-
sed TO interest, were made matters of
conversation. Politics at length came
up IN its turn. | remarked 10 my
friend that Gen. jackson had done well |
in putting down the Bank-it was too
great an instilution--and that in crea.
ting a great many new Banks, and
putting the moneys in them, he had
shown great sagacity. | said that the
General had satisfied the public that
the State Bank system was what was
needed by the people, and that the peo-
pie had approved of it in the election
of Martin Van Buren--that the public
money was safe in these banks, and
that they had contributed greatly to
the prosperity of the country. The
eyes of my friend seemed to open with
wonder. | went on, and told him that
up TO four years ago | had read all
Gen. Jackson's messages, and all the
public documents and couldn't help
saying with Mr.. fancy that THE
SYSTEM WORKED WELL" | said |
agreed with Gen. Jackson that the
State Banks created by his policy,
had made money plenty, and would
not undertake to tell how much land
had been entered, which the President
said was the best evidence of the pros.
perity of the country.
saw something was wrong, but
could not tell where the wrong was
Ny friend said he had always thought
that was democrat, and was sorry
to find me federaLst How is that f?
said /. He said no body but federal
lists were in favor of banks-that Gen.
jackson was against all Banks-that
he was determined TO put them all
down-taal they were cheats, robbers,
swndlers! was completely nonplus-
sed hardly knew what to say or
do; but | ventured to reply that four
years ago, was certain that Gen.
| Jackson was in favor of State Banks
and went through with the whole
history of the bank controversy-the
removal of the deposites, and all that,
TO show that the policy of Gen. Jack
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