Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-11-05
A COOP NHwsPAPnR.

AN~-a aAtos aalas
Perhaps ought 10 beg pardon Of N.
shade Of Herodoius when ! svow, IhatI
consider The yearly contents OF one good
ne~spsPer. as more valuable thsn all he
ever wrote His reason for ihis high
compliment 10 the press 10. that the histo-
Iy OF ones owa times. 10 be found in
the JonrDsls Of the day. 10 more important
10 han ;hss the history OF pas, ages. The
latter 10 not without rts share Of import
snce; for though the history OF N, pa.,.
no matter how remote, may be accounted
curious readiag. yet IL 10 not merely 10.
As discipline Of the mind lone il is use
ful; bot u 10 IN the lessons which il hangs
out for the guidance Of States, she wing
the Ravens TO be sought, and the shoals,
rocks. whirlpools and qoickssnds TO be
avoided. that its greatest importance con
sisis Apart from these uses, the perusal
Of The history Of the past 10 no better than
novel reading; but viewed 90 On ard, IN
shaping ,pEesen. conduct, studied in con.
neeiion with. current history, 10 appears
10 Nc not only important, but indispersa-
bic TO both the Statesman and Moralist-
10 al whose position and abilitie. snahla
them TO affect he public interest. for veal
or woe. And we have no doubt. that
the reverend author himselfis Of the s.ma
opinion; While We agree fully With him.
that historical reading should begin no,
with the sneient. but With The men OF
our own times" Here then We are
brought back TO the newspapers. u were
tuunecesssry for as 10 wnsts words in
giving any reasons additional TO that men-
toned BY the author. sor sgreeiDg in his
opinion relative 10 the value Of good
newspaper" Such q one-one truly
worthy Of the came. does contain the cur
rent history OF ito own :imes. To deserve
the character IL must DO fair, industrious,
seeking truth. and that only, through
every accessible avenue. II must have
no partial purpose TO serve requiring the
AID OF sophisiry 10 argument, or the per-
version OF occurring facts for lis advance
ment. IL must consider itself a. lighting
iis lamp rot alone Tor the present time
the minds formed under is guidance now.
will be called TO act mol for themseIves
Sloee. bot for posteTity; the future histo-
ran will look 10 II for ilIum in alton. 20 aid
in directing sbe conduct Of bis own times.
by the lessons IL may afford and other
lands will search by itS aid for on: pre-
sent eorduet and character; how impor-
tant then does u mol. appear. that iis lights
should not be false; To one holding
such views. the condition Of the nsuspa.
per press in the country must brirg re-
Elections anything bot agreeable. He sees
both the past and current history Of his
own country daily fslsi6ed. while the
passing events Of all other lands are given
With all the fidelity TO truth, which Is az
forded by the means Of obtaining informa-
ton; aud while ample Justice is done 10
the eminent men Of other nations, the
benelaetors Of bis own are treated as il
they were malefsciors deserving OF the
galloWs or the PenitentisTy He is con-
dsmned 10 the pain Of bearing the odium
and the ridicule heaped on his country's
character abroad. by those Who deduco
the character Of the people al large, from
that given 20 our most eminent public
men. ~ partial historians Of the present
time, BY men here who would iraduee
OUT national faith. injure our domestic
business. and ruin our credit in the eyes
OF other nations, if such course should
seem necessary 10 the advancement Ct q
particular purpose, such ss the obtsinm ent
OF political power by one party, or set Of
men, or the retaining Of il by another
The public taste has been. aod is fast be-
coming improved; and the time is not dis
tsni when good newspaper" deemed
by one scholar and gentlemaG at Ieast,
more valuable Than all the writings OF
Herodotus. will not be so great rarity
as al present People are Increasing in
the desire and capacity 10 exercise their
own judgment; and they cannot long con-
tinue 10 purchase fslsehood and dietaiion
al dear rate. While truth and freedom
Of mind can be had cheap.