The New York herald., 1845-02-27
NEW YORK HERALD.
The independent Newspaper Press.

The independent Newspaper Press.
There is nothing which more clearly indicates
the mighty irflence exercised by the newspaper
press ia the formation and direction OF public op
mon, than the rapid decline of the most pretend
ing description OF magazine literature. This indi'
cation is afforded in England as well in this
country. The pompous reviews which some years
ago pronounced irevocable judgment Ia the world
OF politics, literature, and science, have now lost
almost all their power, longer inspiring dread,
and ceasing to command respect They are, in
fact, rapidly becoming mere " annual registers
the record OF events which have passed, and of
opinions that have been fixed forever The news.
paper is now the authority and the judge-the
great literary, moral, and political tribunal.
In his country the influence exercised by the
newspaper press mean the independent portion
ofIt-durng the last ten years, has contributed
immensely TO the progress and prosperity of the
Republic, the growth of free opinion, and the
spread of liberal and enlightened views in all the
great departments of human life. Before the esta-
bhshment OF the cheap newspapers, as they are
called-the cheapnesslbeng. however, only one ele-
ment In their Characteristic daily press was as
low and powerless all can we'll be imagined All
that was attempted was to give a synopsis OF the
current news of the day, and that was but very in
differently done. In point of talent, industry and
enterprise, the newspapers of that period were
quite despicable. These were the palmy days of
cliques-of intrigue, corruption, and manouvre.
But the establishment of the cheap, inde-
pendent newspaper press commenced new
era in the history of this great social in.
slltutIon. Its cheapness enabled it to ad-
dress itself to all, and being forced to maintain
It's existence by exercise of the greatest indus
try aud enegy,it dlfnsed itself so universally,
as TO obtain an influence and power never before
dreamed of, and which very few even now can full
ly appreciate AT this moment the independent
newspaper press is in fact the government of the
country. Always in advance of legslation-crea-
ting, shaping, correcting, informing, directing pub
lie opnion-it originates law, exposes abuses sug-
gests reforms, susains the moral forces which keep
society together, and sways the destnies of the ma
ton. And how does it effect this? BY its daily
diffusion Of all species of intelligence, and its inde-
pendent and philosophc views on all subjects. It's
only aim and condition of existence, is to circulate
THE TRUTH about everything. Hence its influence
IS as omnpotent truth itself.
When we come to contrast the influence of the
independent newspaper pres with that exercised
by any OF the other agencies which bear upon pub
lie opinlon we at once enabled TO discover It's
vast superiority. Compare it tor instance with par.
y journalism. The party papers are every year
losing what Influence they ever possessed
Their gross indecences and scurrilities-ther false
hoods-thelr torgeries-ther contempt alike of all
the courtesies of civilized society and OF every prin
cple oil honor and integrlly-have rendered these
party organs the object of very general disgust -
Tney nottrusted even by those factions whose
sell ints hus
see the Erening Post secuted as the representative
OF The democratic party by of liz own Senators,
and thus we fpd the whg organs in this city abu-
sing one another traitors and liars, and one of
them, the Courier, at this moment denouncing the
nomination OF its own party tor the Mayoraly oi
this city. Hence it was that during the last elec.
ton, both wings and locofocos aside their own
organs unworthy of credit, and looked only to
the columns of this journal for accurate and trust
worthy political intelligence. The party journals
are indeed the mere tools of petty cliquss-they
have no influence on public opinion.
Then, again, let US compare the independent news.
paper press with the pulpt-and we shall see how
much more influential the press is in pro.
noting the cause of virtue and morality, than
even that great instrumentality for good. The
establishment of the christian ministry, we
covered the wisdom and benevolsnce of the
author Of Christianity. But il has sadly failed to
accomplish its mission. The bad passions of world
ly men who have found their way into the sanctus.
ry-the bigotry of opposing sects-the intolerance
OF dominant religious systems-the intrigues anC
struggles for ecclesiasticalp power and place-the in
hdellties and immoralities of the presthood-t
causes have, age after age, weakened the influence
of the pulpit and in these times especially. what
with violent and unchristian poemicai controversy
and laxity of morals, the clergy as a class have
wofuly failed in accomplishing the objects
contemplated by the Redeemer of mankind when
he commissioned the first faithful preachers Of the
Cross to 60 forth and convert the world to God
But the independent newspaper press has we'll tus.
tanned the character Of the aid and ally of the
Christian ministry, such as Jesus of Nazareth
intended it to be. 1t has torn the mask from the
hypocrite-it has exposed the canting Pharisee-l
has rebuked the snarling bgot-it has laid bare
wickedness in the sanctuary-it has defended pure
religion from the insults and attacks OF it's proesseo
friends-it has inculcated the phlanthropic and
refining and harmonizing principles OF Christianity
it has, in fact, abored to commend to all men
strict observance of the simple precepts which
Jesus enforced upon his disciples in Judea, as the
only sure means Of happiness. We can, at least,
declare, that the aim of this journal has ever been
TO show that religion, stripped of cant, hypocrisy,
and sectarlanlsm, is the only foundation on which
the prosperity and happiness of nations or indivi-
duals can repose.
Thus, then, in politics, in finance, in literature
in morals, in relgon,-in all the great concerns OF
society," the independent newspaper press exer.
cises an influence, pervadng, salutary, and ire.
sstibIe. Such an agency must of course be feared
hated and despised, in many quarters; but every
man who wishes well TO his couatry and his race,
who has himself sound mind and sound morals,
will NEST joyousy note its progress and share in
all It's trlumphs.
BRITISH lSTRTGUE.-it is really amusing to see
the efforts, which some of our contemporaries are