Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-08-27
geEH0 JWUNNAAa
THE RIGHTS AND PREROGATIVES OF
THE PRESS

"It has been well observed that newspapers
reversing the former rule-nOW make or
unmake the fortunes of politicians. Nothing
can be more true. And such will be in flu
ture, and under the new constitution, still more
the case than now in this State. Protested
politicians are shorn of their former influence.
The sceptre of patronage has departed. The
smiles of those who formerly welded it have
lost their power to charm HencefOrth they
will have their due influence, and no more -
And it will be perhaps best for all parties that
the tone of domneering control towards the
press, which i'll some instances the force of
habit still leads them TO indulge, should now
be abandoned. But it is really of little conse-
quence whether it is or not. The world will
probably go round just the same
Rochester Daily American.
There is much good sense, as well as plain
truth, in the above extract. Every one ad-
mits the power Of the Press yet few readers
or politicians seem to understand what are ITS
legitimate and rightful prerogatives. Nor is
this, perhaps, very remarkable. For, if there
are many men of many minds so are there
many politicians of many kinds !" and each
having his own foble TO be fIattered, his own
interests to be subserved, or his own preiudi-
ces 10 De grathed it is not surprising that
they should often complain Of the manner in
which the public Press is conducted If one
individual has an object to gain-be it fair or
foul-the Press which he patroniZes-(that is
to say, by paying two cents for newspaper
that costs the proprietor from ten to twenty
according to the size of the edition, exclusive
of advertisements must enter into his scheme
under the penalty of losing this powerful pa,
tronage, and perhaps his good will besides
But in favoring that one, the editor offends
perhaps, dozen others, whose interests lie in
an opposite direction. And if an editor at
fempts to please oil, he is sure to please none
We should like, for the curiosity, to see
one newspaper made up in accordance with
and that should embody, the opinions, whims
and capnces of all its readers 1t would be &
greater Curiosity than Tom Thumb, the Chi.
nese junk, or the wonderful sights disclosed
IN the celebrated MoOn-hoaX." And if each
OF our readers will send us written specimen
not to exceed, say twenty or thirty lines, oil
Whereabouts, OF what they consider the legiti-
mate and proper matter with which to make
up paper, we will agree to give them one en-
tire Globe, if necessary, for the exhibition OF
their several tastes and wishes. Will our read.
ers send them IN
But to return from this depression. What
with all the diversified calls and claims upor
an editor, is he 10 do? Our opinion is-anC
we have endeavored TO square our practice by
it-that he should follow his own best judg
ment-take high, straigh t-forward, honora
BILE course, act independently of the conflictin:
notions which are entertained by his muItltu
dlnous readers, and do his best to catch VI
and express the true spirit and sound senti
ment OF the people. That editor who is no
better qualified than his ordinary readers pos
slbly can be, to decide as to his duties ant
prerogauve-who does not know far better
than they what course to pursue-who has
Otthe discrimination to know what he should
publish and what rejects not fit to sit in ar
editorial chair or to WELD an editorial pen
Nor is this claiming for him more than he car
Or ought to be. We speak not now of tn,
mere casual scribbers for the press but O
nose W no are editors by profession and prac
iI'" who have hoen thoroughly schoole4 il