Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-05-16
The Country Press.

The Albany IN: w. Evening Journal
publishes IN a recent number, the follow
ing very appropriate remarks On the adj
vantages Of the country press, and the
disadvantages under which country edi-
tors labor. We ask the favor of our rea-
ders to read them attentiyely, not for our
sake, bat for the sake of the community
in which we live, as they present a true
picture of many papers published in this
State:
"We cannot too often or too earnestly
impress on our friends the importance of
a liberal and generous support of our 10.
cal journals. 1t is a duty which, we re-
greet t say, is too apt to be neglected,
(perhsps less now than 10 former times,)
but still the evil exists. This should not
be. The faithful Sentinels on the watch
tower of freedom must not be left to
famish on their posts. The city journals
will do well enough without any systematic
exertions in their favor as a matter of
duty; but others are far less Fortunate
W. have known many a worthy and tall
ented man wear out the best parts of his
life in an arduous and untiling advocacy
of truth and good government, as a coun-
try editor, uniting the most rigid economy
to the most %persevering industry, and at
last retire from the field %penniiess and
hopeless, when the same exercise of his
faculties in almost any other sphere, would
have insured him competence and a set
Element for life.
"There are many very good people who
are not aware of the value of a creditable
and well conducted Journal to country
towns. That no family can afford to do
without n newspaper, simply as a matter
of economy, in view of its thousand yalua-
bic items of practical information, and its
importance as an aid to the education of
children; is undoubted. But this is not
all: The ualue Of land, and property
generally, in a country viHage, is n
HANGED by a yell conducted paper. A coun-
try or village SO privileged, is constantly
in the public eye, abroad and at home.
Citizens may obtain any article they need,
by simply looking in the newspaper, To
see where it is sold. This soon attracts
from abroad, and creates a quicker de-
mand for all products. In a hundred
ways advantages accrue to merchants,
professional men and farmers;
and we do not hesitate to affirm, that, if
every merchant, professional man, and
manufacturer, were obliged to advertise
to the amount of fifty Of a hundred dol
ars per snnum, according to his bu-
SO as amply to support the best
kind of paper, it would be for the bene-
of all and of each.
"Nlne out of ten of our country papers
are meagerly supported. Their editors
cannot procure new materials for want
of money; they cannot print larger papers
with only a few hundred subscribers, and
a few columns of paying advertisements.
They cannot inform themselves fully on
the muItifarious subjects which demand
their attention, and write as they should,
because they mu work like slaves over
their types and press. These things We
know, and we must speak feelingly of
them. Ifthose who complain that their
neighborhood paper is inferior or u%ninter-
would just set to work and procure
three or four hundred advance subscribers,
and a proportionate share of advance
patronage, and we will guar
anty an immediate and satisfactory inn
]provement."
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