Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-09-12

aifiuscd moisture gradually renetraies tne So''
pbicb were sheltered from The rain. so Inc e.
usions Of the press, continually spreading III a,'
directions, through channels open ana coh'ea'su'
insensby fill at last all the pores CT The coh'iu-
| nifty.
If The foregoing views be correct If The mo
raj and intellectual improvement OF Inc peoPie V
so important TO the welfare OF our Repuoir' anu
he power of The press 10 promote or retaru ms
/ Improvement has not been overralcd, II may nu-
IL be said that the destiny Of this country ae-
ponds upon the tone OF its press.
How appalling, then, must be the resp"hsio'''-
Tics of Editors But how noble and how inspiring
their vocation, if their aim be correc'i II eaen
editor considers that powerful engine Is c"H'deu
10 his management, designed for no DINER Fu'-
pose bu, The improvement Of man! How con-
sun.map The skill requisite for The proper 90
vernment Of this engine! Ordinary ao'l''e>
suffice. indeed, to fill The columns oil ne"sPhpe'
with grammatical sentences, original OF eA"dc'.
ed Bur, day after day 10 fill them as they shou'a
be filled. 10 leave indelibe impressions on 'he
minds o! men, the highest order OF talent IS ne,
there be 10 furnish every day new SOURCES "
amu>emen,-what extensive reading, gave eve
rs day new stores of information what labor
in revi>ins-whal Judgment in seleciins-"Ha'
knowledge Of The heart and what mastery oil IAN
suase, 10 s,ie the voice OF prejudice ana pas
sion and arouse inlo action the nobler impulses
uf the soul.
Such reflections awaken in lis rainiui SENSE
of our deficiencies but they are saiutary re-
Elections. |, is well Tor the conductors oil news
napers 10 know their defects; il is well that they
should have an ideal of excellence before lne'n.
Lei every editor subject himself, now and men,
10 a ca,echi>m like This: "The stability oil OUT
Government, depends upon The character OF our
people. Has my influence been used 10 improve
or 10 Gebase that characer2 Have ever VII
lngv issued, as good coin, errors in ficl: or So
phi.,res in arsunenll The Union is endanSer-
ed by sectional animosities-Have these been en-
couraged by nv meansl Have admitted INTO
nv paper aught that would foster prejudice or
enkindle passion, that would array section against
section or Stale against State2 Obedience 10
umns ever favored illegal violence or encou-
ragged disrespecl for constituted authorities In
war, The national honor is concerned in jealous
and unanimous support of Government has
The lone OF nv Journal ever emboldcned The enc
my? Newspaper squabbles pander 10 the woIs'
tastes OF the public-Was my paper ever opened
to war of opprobrous epihets3 flas The dig
n;fied courtesy of the Editor ever yielded in my
columns, 10 The angry feelings OF The man! Or
have |. in all instances, endeavored 10 enliShten
The public mind and improve the public taste-to
arouse spirit OF Cancellation and weaken The
dominion Of prejudice7 Have ], in all instances,
uphe,d the cause Of law and order. Have
| | ever defended the honor OF my country,
and supported in my paper, The dignity q he
press?" II is in no carpins spirit, and with nc
invidious references that we venture 10 suggest
such a ca,cchi>m 10 our brother editors through
on, the Union: upon ourselves il bears as severe
Is, perhaps, as ii does upon others. But we are
compelled TO speak By our earnest conviction that
in many respects, a reformation is needed in The
newspaper press of our country. Our remarks
will be received, we trust, in the spirit which has
prompted hcir uiterance. Let them not be hast.
" dismissed from the mind. II the character d
the press is ever 10 improve II is time for that i'm
movement to commence. The war with Mexico
NAV enlarge in lis snheTc. There are explosive
elements in our midst. There are exciting cues
lions unsettled abroad. We have been long
time quiet. Bu, peace of thirty years is about
10 be interrupted; and storm may be now gath.
ering, propoIiiona,e in violence 10 the stiffness
which has preceded il. II this storm cannot be
aver,cd, il is for The press 10 mitigate lis horrors
when il comes. External aggression need no, be
feared, l. ii receive no support in the bosom OF
our soil; and i; must be the province OF The pres
10 s,ihe, in their birth, The gems Of civil commo-
lion and servile instruction, 10 kinde throughout
the land The fire OF a sesac:iGcins patriotism, and
10 prepare The people, "wilh one mind and one
heart, firmly 10 resist every invasion Of aneTl-
can rights.