Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1848-12-04
THE PRESS.


Others the following toast was drank
1.-THE Newspaper Press-An instrument Of trcm-
endous and angmenung power. May it always be in
hands worthy to yield it..
Afer repeated and unanswered calls for Greely
Brooks. Webb and King
Mr.. Raymond 81 the Courier s. Enquirer. (n reply
to calls said he deemed most unfortunate m ts &C.
clson at least that the Wigs Of the city should have
taken from the Press two Of its most distinguished mem
bers, for on being applied to night respond the
toast, ttey had replied that they had nothing d. with
newspapers-hey Members Of Congress- H.
hoped hey would be brought down a peg aud made to
remember the pit from which they had been dgged:-
and that, if they. either Of them could be found they
would be forced TO respond In speech to the toast thai
had just been offered
Being called upon to % On, Mr. r. said it savorcd
of imposition upon the audience hat he, perhaps the
youngest and certainly the least able and worthy Nom
Der OF the Press present should respond srch
lie was. moreover. somewhat in the predcament Of Sir
John Falsatf-who 'lost his Voice from singing
& hurraing for old Sack" which was proCtbg the way
that Old Jack If the original Taylor men. Be
sides, fany thing the face Of the earth might fairly
be left speak for itself aud sound its own praises he
thought il was the Newspaper Press. They had fac
uly Ut Boosting somewhat in the oluen time. and history
tells Of Arcymedes who Dragged that if tie lad
place where to stand. he could move the world. But
now yun couldn't open seven by niue sheet in any part
Of the world that without fulcum, lever or anything
'iN y A"iH ."'V, ~ Ohl IloNG Liz NUlu Jul uIott
The uEivers
Aad yet, He said, was not fair to deny to the Press
any oithe power which it claims Why should it not
have power, lie asked Suppose that YOU. Sir, or any
Intelligent man, uld 90 each day to any uan and tell
him ell Tx knew If The ansprIng in the world
around Illuminating upon them Your own comment,
setting forth the principle they establish aud the light
in which You think they TO be viewed. No matter
what might be that mans opinion of you at first, how is
i possible lhsl y'u should not influence his Judgment
N ne end! Now each newspaper visits each day. per
haps thousand readers tells them every morning all
The events Of The day makes upon them own com
meat, and shapes Their opinions in regard 10 them. And
this il does month after month and year after year. WHY
Then. >hoald not is power be tremendous upon public
opn0n, which, il The end is the true Sovereign that
rules the world
TIE cast init mates doubt that the Press is always in
the most worthy hands The doubt is Just. And it
woqd be strange, indeed, ft otherwisa--ConSd
er. n The hrst place, that newspapers printed prma
rlly, as matter Of gain-ot livelihood and if. you and
the pnbilc vi" buy and pay for that which not the best
where Is the wonder that should be found to write
and print and sell He did Justify them in 50 do
lng but only asked that in Judging hem you do not
erect standard above that Of other PROFESSIONS Some
Old philosopher. King Solomon. Or tile Apostle Paul Of
it IN ght be Roman Consul (hs recollection was indis
tue J had made the profound remark that there's
great deal u human nature land it should be
membered thai Editors are but men, and ale not there
fore exempt from the fraes and preudces and passion.
that 0eset huhanIty.-tur will very srenuously
insist now days, thai by becoming an Editor man be-
. comes. eX neceSsltale rel, al angel.
Consider, again, how articles written Ii a lawye
Is 70 defend hos5-het- he takes week to collect ev
cence, and st II. and arrange it and then he int
court at leisure prepared make the best Of nad case
But The Telegraph brings word at midnight that al
Europe IS involved in war, you gentlemen expect thai
We q the Press should lay down the law Of nations III
regard 70 H. and either vndicate Or deaounce it, IN von
behalf. in time lyr breakfast next morning Ana then
scrIpta mauen:-When once written down. Tie iuIrmen
must stand
Now all these draw acks upon the profession Of
an Editor and the Press needs reform But how shall
\ be done BY denuncafion from The pulpit By youI
ScornlhT to enter into newspaper Contests YOU STYLE
them, and leaving the Press entirely to the least worthy
hands! W hen viii men learn that Reform not only
DIES not IMPLY but excludes by lis very ure the very
idea II destruction How d. vou who are horticni-
tuTIsiS reform tree that bear good fruit Bv
grating Ii. not by cutting it down. So do then in re.
gard to the Press DenJunce it not-desoy not do
not aouSe i-but write for it. You. who know so well
what ne freSs should beyou,whI have the ability. the
euhcatth- me Publications tor such ask-deem no
longer beneath your dIguty 10 write for newspt pes-
Look uJu me fre>S, as II Is. great engine capable
oil ing used with Tremendous power for the public
T1od Vine for It--Grat il with your choicest buds
a"d !heh WITH yoa see Il bringing form trnt worthy its
P'siIln worthy Ofyou, and or nealthfu fJyd Ill
mankind.
But, not to prIong these remarks. Mr. Il. said he
would simply refer The agency The Press had in the
great canvass have Just clsed 1t was mi far him
y Spfak u s m9ives the efficiency If tie sctian
bat ne wuuI venture the belief that either Of these re-