Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-02-07

OF the day, would grow up ccnn.
dence IN the rectitude Of our intentions
and the excellence of our motivei
winch would make newspapers even
more than :hey new are, a necessary
part OF the literature Of our country.
and give increased valus 10 our labors,
We would then be thought worthy or
full and ample remuneration, for
works on which all could rely and 70
which oil could turn. with profit and
| pleasure.
No where could the experiment ws
are now about to make, ofelevstinr the
character Of the press. be more id.
vnntageously commenced, and with 4
tnirer prospect Of success, than ia the
State Of Virginia. The Sisewspapc
readers, and in this case We NAV in.
ciuds nearly all the citizens Of tho
Commonwealth, ara intelligent and
virtuous. They have at heart. the
welfare Of their country, and the hap.
piness OF the people. Conscious how
much depends upon the conduct OF the
press of the State, in eifectinr those
objects how potent an engine the
press is in their political and social 70.
Iations; how great its influence must
necessarily be for veal or wo, they,
we confidently believe, will applaud
w for, and sustain US in tho effort wo
are now making, to render itwortny Of
them aud W.
Fully impressed with this belief
with tho brief and general views here
given, we submit the following resolu.
tons.
Resolred. That, in tho opinion Of
this Convention, in referring to edito.
rial opinions, the name Of the newspn.
per alone should be used, and discus.
SONS between editors carried on, di.
vested entirely OF personal references,
Of opprobrious epithets, and Of harsh
language. and that the editorial inter.
course should be marked by amenity,
courtesy, and, as far as possible, good
feelings and kindness--thus, in the
course Of the editors towards ono ano.
Their, setting IN example to correspon.
dents, and relieving themselves and the
public, from the disgust attendant up.
on newspaper controversies, in which
personalities or abuse are INDUCED.
| Rssolpcd. That, inthe opinion ofshis
convention, to rid the press as much AZ
possible Of personal controversy, il 70
proper that all articles Of pureiylper.
sonal nature, in which the passions or
prejudices, or feelings Of one or more
individuals only are concerned, should
be entirely excluded from the columns
Of newspapers, and that such articles
OF controversy rs result from personal
difficulties, but from the circumstances
attendant upon them become OF con.
Germ to the public. be inserted az, and
charged double the regular rates Of
advertisements.
RESOLVED. That, 10 the opinions Of
this Convention, il would greatly tend
to correct the public taste, to advance
the cause Of virtue and sound morality.
il the editors of newspapers would dis.
countennnce, IS much az possible, tho
publication Of the horrid minuti@ and
details Of murders and suicides, the
disgusting incidents connected with du.
els and ARRAYS which sometimes oc.
cur in different parts of the country,
and also, accounts Of the ingenuity OF
the vicious in their dcprcdstions upon
society--all Of which, only tend to en-.
courage vice, ard spread the knowl.
edge Of crime.
Resolved. That, in the opinion Of
this Convention, il would be highly con.
ducive TO the interests Of the public,
and honorable to the character of edi.
tors, If the newspapers Of the country
were to be devoted o. much a. posi-
BILE, to the dissemination of useful facts,
or general knowledge, and OF all such
matter as will tend to refine, to enligh.
ten and to improve, in preference to
articles which merely CRAFTY vitiated
taste, or pamper depraved appetite
for scandal.
FRIDAY MoRNING, Jan. l9.--Rev.
Mr.. PIumer. Editor Of the Richmond
Waterman Of South, appeared and
took his seat.
The Report and resolutions present.
Cd to tho Convention yesterday by Mr..
Sands, from the Committee under the
second resolution, we're taken up, and
after considerable debate. indefinitely
postponed.
On motion Of Mr.. Snowden,
Rssolred, That it be recommended
TO the Editors Of newspapers through.
out the Commonwealth, to publish at
the head Of their papers. their rates for
advertising, that they strictly adhere
to the same, and that these prices be-
always such ~ to givs fair oompen-
sation for lsbor performed.