The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1847-11-27
The Responsibility Of Authors.

n ~
,,..,.
-Ao -aas s'5A-1 'iA''y o. a a'-oiS'
The thoughts and actions OF one man
influence to a greater or less degree those
OF another. no one IS truI = an orlGl-
nal. The ideas which form our mental
and moral character, were impaired by
outward influences, and modelled TO their
present form by circumstances. Those
VINO have contributed to the formation
otour mental and moral powers are re-
sponslbIe for the character Of those pow
ers, whether it be good or bad. He who
builds ship for the ocean Is accounta-
bic for the manner in which she is cal
cuated to sail. He who builds house
is responsible for the durability OF its
construction. and the fitness gifts parts to
the uses intended. How much more res
ponslbIc must he be, who influences the
character OF a fellow mortal destined for
immortality! Ourrcsponsi5ility incrcas-
Cs with the sphere o! our duties and the
extent Of our influence. The response
blIlty OF the ruler of mighty nation IS
greater 'I'aa that OF an indian Hacacm.
II" 70 whom much is&ircn, Of aim shall
much b, required" soitA the Holy Scrip
ture. In no instance is this more appl'-
cable than in regard to talcat--in regard
to those who possess the power Of !n!u-
oAcinG the characters oithrIrtelIowmon.
i great man once said 'let me write
the ballads Of a nation, and yon may
make the laws" There is much hidden
truth contained in this remark, though
perhaps more characteristic of an earlier
age than ours, as far as"baliads" are con-
ceracd. In former times the minds OF
men We're moulded by the notions incuI-
Gated in the songs OF their bards and
priests. History was handed down
through successive generations III heroic
song. The laws and the doctrines OF the
Gods were Taught in verse. In later
ages prose has been employed, with ten
fold the power Of ancient SONG. for The
same purposes. 4 few thinking men
have ruled the millions OF our world, AS
the mighty conqueror holds the tate Of
kingdoms in his grasp; 50 the intelligent
chclitan sWayS the mental character OF
nations at his will, Inc conquered and
the conqucrot are alike subjects Of his
rule. His empire is the empire Of the
mind, and all who think must obey, The
intellectual character OF people has al
ways been in harmony with the Opinions
inculcatcd by its celebrated writers,
whether that character prcponderatcd on
the side OF good or evil. The nations
OF the East may be mentioned as exam
pies in proof of this, and the Jewish pco-
pie in particular. Their mode OF think
ing, and even the entire intellect OF that
race, have been, for more than three thou
sand years, completely governed by their
first great historian and poet, Moses.
Coniucius also has, as with rod oiiron,
by his written doctrines, ruled the mind
Of millions for centuries. We need only
mention the books Of Mahomet IN order
to be reminded Of the almost boundlcSs
influence which they have exercised up
on the intolIccts of nations and races OF
men. But those writers ofmodern dates,
men. unaidcd by divine power or prctcn-
sions. even their influence upon the in
tellectual world is immense. The songs
and writings Of Luther revolu.ionizcd the
empire Of thought throughout the civil
lied world. The words traced BY his
pen, overturned the opinions OF a thou