Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-07-27

DIGNITY OF TIE PRESs.-TLe influence of the
public press upon the futarc veal or woe of the Re
pub lie, is unhoundcd. TIE press in great measure
has the moulding and fashoning of public opinion
and the deslnes of the nation depend upon the pro-
per exercise of the prerogativo which it possesses.
1t is the acknowledged vehicle through which public
opinion speaks, and by which the will of sovereign
people is expressed. In the cause of truth i, is q
mighty engine 10 The ndt ancemcnl no al of PRINCIPLES
and in sowing the seeds of error it is alike powerful
and dangerous 10 the pcrpetuty of the Republic.
TO the press committed interests priceless as hu
man liberty and upon the faithful discharge Of It's
responsibilities turns the question whether our re-
pablican institutions shl be trans shifted TO future
ages.
In view of the approaching political contest in this
Territory the press in Wisconsin should keep in view
that principle not men, should form the basis of poll
neal acri on. Appeals passion and prejudice with
the view of making political capital, is as disingen-
uous it is ridiculous. The cause of that party
which depends for success upon tho dissemination of
and the practice Of deception must certainly be
bad one. 1t is mistaken idea to suppose that vul
gar epiihet and personal abuse may be INDUCED
through the columns of newspaper with less impu-
nifty than elsewhere. Yet many seem to imagine
pIDIIC is q SORT Oh privileged Veh-
Gle, in which they may exhaust their vocabulary of
vulgarty, and sssail the character of individuals
If it be discourteouS and ungenilenanly to bcnly
hard names in common conversation for q more diff
ference of opinion: why then is it less disreputabe to
donounce through the columns of newspaper?
II Is base and coWardly to denonnce man and I,
say of him through the medium of the press. vha,
modesty and common courtesy would not allow TO be
spoke 10 his face Yet there are not wanting those
who are ever ready to make scurrous attacks
through the press, such they would shrink from
when brought in contact with the person of their
abuse What better claims then to Responsibility
have those who proverbial for their impudence
in newspaper quarrels, than mere bar room brawers
and street b!ackguards!
There an Abundance of politicians, who never
investigate facts attempt 10 upon the merits
of a question al issue but whose chief reliance is
upon their tact in ridculing political candidate
And it is TO be regretted that many political editors
have cOuntenanced by their example this unprinci-
pied method, by making appeals to passion and pre-
iudce, rather than to reason and common sense.
Satire. rdicule, and vulgar cant are too much en-
poyed for the purpose of gaining adhercRs to fa-
vorte party while truth and principle are regarded
too Ineffective to advance the interests offs desired
measure. The dignity of the press cannot be sus-
tanned when editors prostitute their columns to as
sail the private character of citizens or TO misrepre
sent the principles of an opponent for political effect
If any have espoused a political cause which can
not he supported without resOrting prevarication
and iasehood the sooner they abandon 1.-THE better.