The New York herald., 1845-07-29

| + OUGHT TO BE.-1o eXnatate at any great ichsW
the power and influence OF the press IN this coun-
| ry, were a waste of time and words; Its power and
| ctlvity universally admitted, often magnited
Mostly extoled, but never regretted. II is a sound
! md healthfu public opinion tnat so speaks-it would
a symptom Ct decay and corruption TO hear this
| mighty engine dsparaged and sighted But the
PRESS less than the monarch Of old often requires
10 be saved from the ndscretion Of its friends from
hose who blind TO its abuses and insensble Of
the broad distinction to be made between its leg-
mate uses and It's perversion He is most unskilful
panegyrlst who is content TO confine his appreciation
10 the poacer of the press; il is but damuing it with
FAINT praise TO make its influence alone the ground
OF euogy. The press is not 10 be worshipped on ac-
count OF these, for they qualities that deserve ap-
proval or censure just according TO their application
Power Ill applied, and influence abused are to be
feared and crushed, and by parity of reasoning the
newspaper press be Judged by It's works and il
fidelity to It's trust
What Is that trust (! What are the legitimate func-
items OF this powerful engine One OF these but not
The highest, is 10 spread intelligence In the capa
cy OF an organ OF news il Is useful, and contributes
largely TO the activity, enterprize and progress of
society Industry Is promoted, ingenuity stimulated,
commerce extended, and the distant and sstranged
families of our race approximaied and famarzed
with each other by the diffusion Of intelligence. In
this capacity the press takes lofty stand and were
It's Influence Of no wider range, the performance of
the offices just mentioned would entitle il to great
prase-wonld give II just title TO the admiration
which is in our days bestowed upon it. But there is
still another office, and we think higher one, which
appertans TO the press. To it egitimately brlongs
III rahl - bac,
teligence of which it is made the vehicle il claims
TO be The instructor of the public To it belongs the
privilege of giving tone TO public thought right
direction TO the national mind. Whilst individuals
raernites, and associations of all kinds are orga-
nzed expressly for partial benefits, to accomplish
selfish objects, 10 promote local and individual inter-
ests-the press alone contempates the good of all,
brings every proposition the test OF general princ
pies, and prom ounces judgment on men and their
actions, solely with reference TO the common
veal What an admirable institution is that
which is devoted to accomplish these ends-what
dignihed position il occupies what power 1t
possesses 10 couneract the tendencies of ignorance
and error. and nentralzc the effects of human folly
and depraviy. We now speak of what the press
might be- and ought to be-what it is, is quite ano-
ther thing. Unless it at least aims at fulfilling the
functions above ascrbed to it, certainly it is bespat-
tered with deal of aduation and senseless praise to
which it is not entitled Unless it comes up to the
description given of what it ought TO be- the admi-
ration OF Its mighty power, and the indiscrmna-
ting appreciation which are now lavished upon If.
are the offerings of devotees as blind as those who
| fall in the dust before the car of Juggernaut.
| The truth must be told. The newspaper press is
not what 1t ought TO be. No doubt it is swift IN its
travels-punctual in the performance of lis daily
ask-nearly ubiquitous in its attendance, and cere-
moniously studlous TO please-which is about as
much as we might say for respectable pedlar, such
as the renowned Sam Slick of Slickve. ig
for such excellencies, and those who aim no higher
than 10 cultivate them He who values the art OF
pleasing while lie occupies the editorial chair is moi
IN his proper vocation at ALL and the he leaves
II the better Let II be filled by better manly
one who VIII not condescend to address himself to
lndvlduals-retai scandal, entertain his readers
with gossip only INT tor tea party of anquatrd vir-
gins. Inc Character OF editor Is one of great
distinction and dignity. and his is one of the few
clses wherein IT Is not only pardonable but 3
sary TO indulge In spirit of self esteem. A man
whose duty and privilege it is to issue his thought.
by ten thousand messengers 10 the ends of the earth
| who has the world for an audience when he makes
| ms communication, is excusable in knowing his
exalted station, and in measure censurabe if he
| ioes not. But how lew are the instances Of this
KIND now. Instead OF being the instructors writer
| Tor the press are the creatures of public opinion:
| Ike the chameon they change their hue obedent Il
very external influence, and degn 10 be the mer,
| rcho OF every prejudice, fashionable folly.
| md popular clamor generated in the lcen
| tious minds OF the knaves and scoundres who
90 often are the active agents in popular movements
What is the fact in reference to the party press OF
the day. Sure ly is not the bold and Independent
,ral censor TO expose ignorance and vice, and ad
vocate the cause of truth-of the weak against the
trong. The party press is tied hand and foot to q
ct of designing politicians, to whose schemes j,
m ist pander in order to preserve its miserable exis
tence 1t has about as much liberty as donkt y
confined by tether to a small patch OF the surround
ng pasture. Such is the actual condition of great
portion OF the newspaper press, which we hear every
day exoed to the skies, rendering great services
to the public, contributing TO the spread of ipforma.
| ton, and aiding the cause Of morality and liberty
All this is wrong and the prints that swallow this pa
ateable draagh for vulgar stomachs are inflated to
such degree as 10 appear important, because OF
| their. deformed dimensions. Not but they are
small enough in the eyes of the discerning All
| their pretension cannot impose on those who know
The dirty work OF hlreling party press, and who
nave correct notions of the true sphere allotted 10
the press, by reason and principle. and sound policy
The trutl is that the party press of this and every
other country, Is neither the guide instructor, nor
mirror of the public mind; and there is no greater
mistake than TO form conclusions of the real charac-
ter OF people from the trash that is denominated
their periodical literature More or less blame at
aches TO society for encouraging this trash by buying
il, 1t cannot be denied but one of those devia-
lions from good sense that characterize the conduct
OF the prudent, in social state, where good and evil
error and truth are mixed up together Not one OF
| the numerous readers of party papers, who possess
ordinary intelligence and sagacity, but will admit