Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-02-01
No. 10.

Dcl 'his IS not all, gentlemen-nor il il the
must important DUTY which we have 10 per
form. The press is not only useful 10 socie-
"; but II should be profitable to it's conduc-
ltors-and may not add, that il should he
honorable TO lis conductors. IL shouId he :.
source both OF fortune and of dis,inctian 7,
i'so in Europe. In Paris, whose Journals
cannot compare with our own, either in di-
mension, in ability, or in independence some
oi her principal journalists are among the
highest dignIaries OF the Government. The
fressis indeed passport 10 Power.
The profession is rising in England. not
uhiy IN einoinment, but in dignity. One OF
The most distinguished journals in the world
is ''ihe Examiner" of fonden. and Won NAV,
recollect in the last July No ofrbe "Ediu,
( burg Review" that the high character Of its
Editor, Mr. Fonbianque, has obtained for
him the honor OF a long and complimentary
article IN The first Periodical OF the aye. The
REVIEWER rsonounces chs style 10 be clear
az owilts sometimes as graceful as AID.
disoh's, whilst il is more fguratiye in e<.
preston, and much richer in ane cdote and
alluson."s
And why Is 1t, gentlemen, that cur pros
iesslon does not occupy that Station in unr
own society, 10 which il 10 eutiIledi tus
not disguise the fact. II is our own full
NO maxim is mure true, than that he who
would have the respect oil others, must show
that be respects himself. We have descen-
ded 10 abuse each other in manner. tina, bns
'ost The respect OF the world We misrep-
resent each others motives-we heap oppro-
oriouS epi!hets upon each Others heads-wa
do not recoliect that violence is not eneroy
ana mat viruience is any thing bul dignity.
HOW can we expect 10 be treated as gentle
N nj
liemen Zach one says, indeed, that il il
not his fault. lie tries 10 Justify himself by
pleading ef,deience. But Whoever be
'he iauit, the effect Is un1eniable, that in thjs
eternal warfare OF attack aud of recrImina
'ioh, Inc press has lost much Of its dignity.
and much o! that moral influence which ~
would have right 10 claim, and would un.
queslIonabIy command, 10 a free and en-
lighiened country. The mischief does NOT
stop here. The licentiousness of the press
insensibiy lowers the tone OF private man.
ner5, and Iniecis the character of our pubIic
councils. In this respect, therefore. the in
'efests OF society, as well as the reputation
VI us conductors, demaId thorough reform
MS ~, gentlemen, another oil the great
ooJec,s Ior which we have convened together
and am sure, there is no well regulated
mlnd IN this assembly which will not hearti.
oe necessary TO improve and elevate The tone
OF the press.
You will probably have other subjects be-
lore you-Be assured, gentlemen, iha, will
spare no effort 10 facilitate the business OF tbe
convention. trust sincerely, that we shall
10 lhe same harmony in which we have me,
On motion Of Mr. RUFrIy.
Resolved, That the relations between
'he publishers OF, and subscribers 10, news.
papers and other periodicals, be REFERRED "a ;,
oom'aiiIee, with instructions 10 consider and
report The existing evils, and 10 prepare such
remedies as may seem most proper and Ell
teclual
On motion Of Dir SAEDs,
resolved, That the subject of ADOPTING q
uniiorm scale Of prices Ior Book and Job
tf'h'lng ana Advertising, as far as the same
Is Prac'icaoie, and also Tor The regulation Of
'he relations between Employers ,journeylnen
aud apprentices, be referred to selecl CON.
mIltee 70 report .o.murrew.
On motion Of Mr SHowDrN
Resolved, That the subject Of The proro,
tone and manner ot Conducting the News
paper Press OF Virginia, be referred 10 q Sc.
'eCt committee, to report Tomorrow.
inc C'iAIR appointed, under the first
-.sSoiusion, The following gentlemen to con-
siitn'e the Committee:
LESS ,aessFs, Buiiio, White, Tolsr, Moseley,
Under the second Resolution
Meosrs. S'ands, White, Walker, Marshall.
Davis, Ricketts, and fiead.
Under The third
-, MsSsrs. Sno"dsn, Galaher, ETackford.
oieF, RuEin, Hunter, Cowartiin and Smj,b.
oh motion, Mr Richie was added TO The
COMMITTEES under The third resolution.
40 Convention Then adiourned. 10 meet
al D O'CLOCK to-mCrro'g evening.
THURSDAY EVENING, Jan 18Th. s p. II.
menl. "'J'"'"-
dr. ALEXANDER, Editor Of the Char.
| ioittsvi'ic Jetiersonian Republican K Mr.J.
=. "ALhER, Of Richmond, appeared and
took their seals
several Communicating addressed 10 TIE
Convention, were read, AID ior the present
laid on the tabls.
On motion Of Sir. CALLAurR
lteSoi'et, That such members of the To-
SiSiaIuFs, and other ganlepen, as have been
heretofore connected with ihe press. be invi-
yea to seals IN Ibis Convention as honorary
Members.
" A n.ong the labourers in The litsra5y vine
YARD, there are none, whom Is a clasa il il
more desirable to raise. by due syrpothv ard
favour, rem the obscurjfy and djscoDtent n
4 lie OF neglected literary adventure. thBn
those y TO devote their talents 10 tie seryice
Of The public press. Good feeling aatl oo,d
policy, are equally violated 10y an Opposite
course. The evil Of which lhs ja.ijdious
and ppopia ~ I'M ste fcr fr,,.,