Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-01-07
From tue Troy (Ohio) Times.
THE NEWSPAPER.

| % hot Piopeiiy estiiiutcu DN the COmmu-
nifty at large, in reference to the influence
1t exercises on society in the varied pur-
suits OF life. Some, who have not reflect
ed upon the matter as deeply as they
should do, deem their money but little
better shan thrown away in patronizing the
press. These entirely mistake its charac-
ter, and, in addition, their own charac-
tiers as citizens of free country. A
newspaper. Invested Of its political bias
and acrimony, when conducted by men
who feel a moral responsibility resting upon
them, exerts on influence, which though
noiseless, and impercep,ible, a, the irst,
ispowerful and lasting in its results. Let
us turn our attention to those countries
where The press is shackled by despotic
power; Ignorance, superstition, higoiry
and RIGHTEOUSNESS mark the character of
the people. Tyran,s dread lis power,
and The wicked quail before its searching
eye. Take our own free country, aye
even our backwoods' wilds, and it is en-
silly to be discovered, whether or NOT they
have among them press, and in what
manner that press is managed. BY it the
improvements and refnements Of society
are defined; its moral character develop.
ed, and held up to public admiration
Whatever may be said against it, the news.
paper is the great medium of intelligence
TO the public. Without it, our country
would not be what she is; 1t is TO the press,
more than to any other means, we are in.
debted for our greatness as u free, happy,
and intelligent people; and were it posi-
BILE TO suppress or destroy it, no doub, can
be entertained that with it would fall also
the liberties of the country.
Whenever encroachments are projected
by tyranis on the rights Of the people, the
first attempt is to destroy those means of
intelligence that would enable the people
to detect their unholy ambition. History
las shown us that an intelligent people
cannot be enslaved. as plainly as it has
| shown us that an ignorant people cannot
continue to be free. Nothing more than
this is necessary oprove the great impor-
lance of the press: without it there cam
not be intelligence, and without inielli.
gence there cannot be freedom. lf, then,
the press be Of such vast Importance as to
be considered the very palladium of our
liberties, it is but a just source Of COM
| plant, that the great mass OF our citizens
! do not sufficiently cherish and protect that
| which in return renders 10 them so much
of good. 1t is true, that, compared to
other nations we are the friends Of the
press, but stlll that high opinion of its mcr-
its and that liberal patronage which justly
| are its due, seems to be withheld from it,
at least to some extent. Many of our CT.
liens take no paper Whatever, seeming
content TO plod along without making
Themselves acquainted with any ofthe i'm.
poriant affairs Of their country. They
forge, or disregard that, as citizens Of the
only true republic on earth, they have POI
llticul duties 10 perform gilmore than COM
mon import: They forget or disregard the
immense cost OF that government which
confers on them so many blessings, and
utterly needless are they of that maxim
| That tells them that "eternal vigilance is
the price ofllberty!" How can such men
as these. have claim on the support Of the
government they are themselves regard
less disappearing How claim the rights
and privileges OF American citizens when
they do not perform the duties1 viii
they answer, that in recording their votes
at the ballo. boxes at stated periods, they
do all that duty requires Of theml Ifthis
be their answer they are in error: Their
country requires action Of them, but it is
intelligent action. Certainly it were bet
ter that tney RETAINED from political ac-
ton entirely than to exercise the right Of
the elective franchise, in entire ignorance
Of political subjects. Yet, notwlthstand-
ing this, there are numbers Of our citi-
zcns who not only are ignorant OF the poll
tiles Of their country, but who can boast
that this is the fact with them, taking 10
themselves no small share of merit for
their indifference and their ignorance
1t is an every day occurrence to hear
citizen Boosting that he "is not politician
nor cares he any thing for political sub.
jects." How unworthy ola freeman, how
unworthy ofan American is such boast !
What IS it possible he cannot care for
that which confers on him all his prosper
ity and happiness which secures to him
and his freedom and independence, and
makes him the envy of world that SUI.
fers under oppression! Oh! monstrous in.
gratitude oh, shameful ignorance. AS
well, as nationally might he assert that he
cared not for the light Of the sun, nor the
genial productions of the earth whereby
he lived, as declare his disregard ofthat
government which protects himself end
his dearest rights. 1t is the duty, MS it
Should be the glory, Of every citizen Of
/ free UOvarnment IN undarStupI ,y.lt ho~
institutions, -aitentivel watch the pro.
gress of her political affairs, and to be
ready with his counsel, and with his vote
to direct or correct her course, Us he is
with his arms to defend her cause against
world, should she be attacked.
| This brings us to our Dosifion in rera I'd