The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-07-21
OUR PAPER-THE INTERESTS OF
THIS COMNENITV

OUR PAPER-THE INTERESTS OF
THIS COMMUNITY.
In former number we ndited an article set
ting forth that knowledge is Power and show
ing, by few practical illustrations, that such is
the fact If this be true, if upon the two great
pillars of knowledge and virtue rest the perma-
nency of free institutions, and the best homes
of happiness for the world, if without this safe
guard, we are constantly in danger of imposition
and the sacrifice OF our best interests from ieno-
rance OF the means necessary TO secure them.
then, may we not, ought we not, in duty both to
the community, and ourselves, to URGE upop all
the i'm portance of sustaining with strong hand and
generous heart the enginery by which knowledge
and power, and prosperity are to be disseminated
1t is froin the fact that '' knowledge is mowers
that ''the power of the press has become proven
bal. This was one of the great and most effica-
cious means by which the darkness of the middle
ages was dispelled, and ithe joyous and exaltng
light of civilization made to shine in upon the
waste places of humanity. 1t is 10 this, more
than to any other one cause, is to be attributed
the present position of christianity science, and
free government. 1t is through the art of print
ing that that degree of mental and moral culture
is obtained, which enables us to see the beauty
and to feel the force of moral excellence. TO nm
derstand something of the unfathomable wisdom
displayed in the structure of the universe and to
comprehend the Unreasonable distance between
the political condition of him who is placed upon
a footing of perfect equality, to rights and
privileges. with all his fellow-citi and that
of the degraded being whose province it is to obey,
tho dictates Of
mandates, however unreasonable, of those I" born
to command" without any reference to their mem
tai or moral qualifications for so doing Without
this most noble of arts, all our seminaries of learn
ing, and schools for the education of all classes in
society, upon the proper support of which must,
in very great degree, depend the hopes of hu-
manity, could not exist. Little then would be
learned. for there would he little or nothing to
learn. The experience and wisdom of the past
would lie buried beneath the pail of ignorance,
and enveloped in the dark shades Of mental night.
But of what utility is the existence of any
power unless it be employed? What avails it
that the light of the sun is disseminated on all
sides Of us, if we will open our eyes to receive
it2 Those who will not see are not less blind.
for the time, than those who can not OF what
advantage can it be for us to besow our time.
attention, labor and money in the publication of n
Daily Paper, devoted to the interests of this
community and country, unless those to whose
service we have pledged our all, both of mind and
body, and of pecuniary means, will cordially
engage in the support Of our enterprise We
publish the Ne,O Era not merely for the sake of
publishing paper, but that it may be circulated
most extensively nd road n,nef m
interests of friends on both sides of the river
are, directly or indirectly, the same We need
not say that 1t Is OF the utmost importance to those
who are in any way connected with our public
works, that public organ should be sustained
through the columns Of which their riobts :,
terests and wishes may be faithfully and
represented and advocated Nor is il lo.s am,
rent that the interests Of all classes procossinrs
and employments, both in Norfolk and pete,
mouth, are in greater or less degree identified
with and advanced or injured by the pro,,otor
or destruction Of this important interest IN rro
norton to the production Of the "bone and sney, ,,
the labor, and the amount paid for the same, mus,
in considerable degree depend the amour, Of
trade and Of circulation among the whole com
munity, of that which is SO very needful for the
transaction of tho ordinary business Of life, and
which is nevertheless worth so little until parted
with. We mean money Can you, then, we
appeal TO all Of all parties. both that to which we
strictly belong, and also to all others, for the in
terests of all involved in the matter we repeat
can you find better investment for trhing
weekly amount of change, which you will never
miss, but which, collected together will amply