The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-03-03
For the Spirit of Democracy.
The Press-Its duty and its Power.

1t has often been said that the Press is the pal
ladum of civil liberty. This is true when it is
free, and in the hands Of freemen.
That the Press is a most potent agent for evil or
for good is an undeniable fact. Used, as it has
been, at different periods in Europe, to flatter the
hand that leeds it, and to conceal and abuse the
complaints and wants of the suffering masses, it
becomes terrible engine of evil, and only evil.
It may be safely asserted that in any government
where The Press is muzzled or trameled, the liber.
ties of the people are in eminent danger. There
can be- no error more dangerous or more fatal,
than the one which compels the Press to conceal
the true sentiments and wants of the people. SO
important, was this principle considered by the
trainers of our government, that an express pro.
vision was incorporated into the Constitution OF
our state forever securing the freedom OF the
Press.
1t is through the medium Of the Press that the
masses speak through this channel the people can
command their servants from one end Of the Union
10 the other, so that government agents can never
be at a loss to know their duty; for the people.
in consequence OF the entire freedom of the Press,
are continually speaking. No movement can stir
the public pulse, but what the sentinels upon the
watch.tower of liberty, faithful to their duty,
frankly chronicle, and thunder in the ears Of the
government the public will. t..
Every evidence of change in public sentiment
is seized by the Press and given the wings of the
wind, until it finds dwelling place in the utter
most part of the earth r,
Whatever may be said upon this subject, in this
country the Press cannot be uammelled. Every
motive and ipducement 20 human action is operat.
ing in favor OF its freedom. No sooner has the
slumbering energies Of the people began to arouse,
than the Press, snufing the daDgerin the distance,
sounds the alarm and the troubled billows OF pub.
lie feelings are pointed to the path Of safety The
press no,c true as the needle TO the pole, in the
midst Of the present movement towards reforma-
tion in this country is awake, giving vent to the
causes OF complaint, and deylsng remedies foI
| EXISTING evils, To its freedom and independence
we owe in great measure our civil and religious
| liberty, We have an incaleulable interest in it,
| continuance. ,H Hf
Tn this age Of progress and reformation the Press
must be active. The rapidity with which grea
and important changes are effected call for renew
ed energy and exertiop from the Press. Light Is
breaking into the dark recesses OF ignorance, SUI
perstition and oppression. The spirit of universal
liberty is abroad on the earth. Thrones and scep
tres are crumbng into ashes in the hands of theil
| astonished owners. The friends of freedom ant
humanity through out the world, are taking coun
sci together. Their questions to the Press are:
4 aH s.Watchman tell us of the night, aip
4 What its signs Of promise are" .e,..
If faithful to the high trust con6ded to it, th'
answer very soon must be, .',.
II "Traveller, Ger yon mountain height,
tgi See that glorious beaming start" iHns
a The gem of republican liberty will then soon b
realized. We shall have frse.so, free speech an
/ free men. IA contamination deyoutly to
..;shaa for" UHG eili A CITIZEN.