Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-01-24

Inc wings OF view OTk neIu IeStiVH
at the Irving House recently. at which Mr.
RAYMOND Of the Courier and Enquirer
made speech, from which we extract
the following response TO toast in honor
Of the newspaper press
"A lie said il was not fair to deny 10 the
press any Of the power which il claims
Wby should it not have power! Suppose
that YOU, sir, or any intelligent man could
10 each day TO any man and tell him all
he knew Of the events transpirDg in the
world around him--making upon them
your own comment, setting forth the prin-
ciples they establish and the light in which
they are to DC viewed. No matter what
might be that mans opinion Of you at
first, how is it possible that you should not
influence his judgment in the end! Now
each newspaper visits each day, perhaps
ten thousand rcaders-tclls them every
morning all the events Of the day, makes
upon them its own comment and shapes
their opinions in regard to them. And
this it does, month after month. and year
alter wear. Why, then, should not its
power be tremendous upon public opinion.
which. in the end, is the true sovereign
that rules the world!
The toast intimatcs a doubt that the
press is always in the most worthy hands.
The doubt is just. And il would be strange.
indeed. il il were otherwise. Consider.
in the first place. that newspapers are
printed. primarily, as matter of gain
of livelihood; and If you and the public
will buy and pay for that which is not the
best, where is the wonder that men should
be found to write and print and sell i'll
lie did not Justify them in so doing--but
only asked that. in Judging them you do
not erect a standard above that Of other
professions.
Consider, again, how articles are writ
ten. Ii lawyer is to defend horse
thief. he takes a week to collect evidence
and sift and arrange it, and then he comes
into court prepared to make the best of a
bad case But if the telegraph brings
word at midnight that all Europe is in
volvcd in war, you, gentlemen, expect
that we Of the press should lay down the
law of nations in regard TO it, and either
vindica.e or denounce it. on your behalf.
in time for breakfast next morning! And
then Scripta manent-when once written
down the iudgmen: must stand.
Now. all these are drawbacks upon the
profession of an editor, and the press
needs reform. But how shall it be done!
by denunciation from the pulpit! By
your soorning 10 enter into newspaper
contests. as you style them. and leaving
the press: entirely to the least worthy hands.
When will men learn that reform not only
does not imply, but excludes by its very
nature. the idea Of destruction! How do
you. who arc horticulturists. reform a tree
that does not bear good fruit! Bv graft
ing it. not by cutting down. So do then.
in regard to the press. Denounce it no,
destroy it not-do not abuse it-but
write for it, You. who know so well what
the press should be-you who have the
ability. the education, the qualifications
for such a task-deem it no longer beneath
your dignity to write for newspapers
Look upon the press. as il is. as great
engine. capable Of being used with tre
mendous power for the public good
Write for it. Graft it with your choicer
buds. and thenwill you see i, bringing forth
fruit worthy its position, worthy Of you,
and for the heal,htul food Of all mankind