The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-24
The influence OF Journals.

A great circulation is by many considered an evil
dence OF the power of journals indeed, US the sole
test Of its influence This is as grave mistake as
to suppose that he best deserves the name of orator.
who addresses large audiences-not he who controls
by the magic OF a greater mind those few or many
10 whom he speaks The policy of oil statesmen,
from Moses TO Mahomet, from Mahomet to Napo-
leon, has been to imbue few thoroughly with the
tenets they preached, 10 sednce the imagination to
convince the reason, TO usurp the entire man. These
lev became so many levers, which in their turn &C
leavened the whole lump SO with journals; that
is the most powerful which compels the attention of
the thinkers which plants in their breasts the germs
OF future conduct, and leaves them there to spring
forth into beauty and usefulness at their appointed
time. There are many reasons why paper may be
widely diiiused without ever containing one noble
thought, without intoxicating any but the meanest
notions OF human nature, without ever appealing to
any but the basar passions of The heart gratifying
any but the lower faculties Of the Intellect. II mary
satisfy necessity fill void, and so be In the hands
of every one. l8.'
The first great requisite of newspaper is the pos
session OF the earliest the latest the fullest nielli
gence. For that purpose II Is as indispensable to all
commercial business, as knowledge of arithmetic,
but does II therefore form opinions upon the great
principles OF government or upon the characters of
mem Not ut all; 1t meets the reader in the hurry
Of occupation, is used for the advantage Of affairs
but faith or belief are founded upon It, out
side OF business matters than arc the political opn
ions of the merchant upon those Of the broker who
~
ing paper Is necessity an evening paper is luxu-
ryhe last can by possibility have the circulation Of
the first, but il Is taken up at period favorable for
attention Its views discussed by the reside ia
the family, and il has thus an influence for good or
evil proportionately just its larger morning BROTH
er. As an Instance fthis, cite the Evening Post
paper never oflarge circulation, but which has new
erheless implanted in the legislation Of this State
more Of the principles II has advocated and moro of
the novelties II has entertained than any other paper
in the State. When legislators passed The laws we
mention, probably they honestly thought they had
originated them themselves, but they had reud the
recommendations and discussions Of their Journal
and at some later period embodied the idea Of the
journalist into the living being of a law.
Indeed, we are not certain that very large circu
laon with but few exceptions is rather the indica-
ton Of common place mind and nm undecided char
acter at the helm. There never yet was man who
thought in advance of his age who was not exposed
TO pposion-honest, let us hope, but Violent He
who has no enemies can have no friends; for no
man exists with heart callous on one side and
keenly sensitive on the 9th But thai journal which
enbodies every hade Of opinion and has no decided
policy Of it's owl provided il fnldis the business
qnises Of It's tAistence, will flourish, whilo that
which seeks ont, right and dsregafds an unworthy
OF unearned prosperity, muy drag along an existence
OF daily toll, supplying daily wants, We said there
were some exceptonsit Is impossible 10 particular
ize all--but an instance, take the Tribune That
journal has great influence and immense circulation.
II is decided in its tone and is in some respects an
ardent friend OF progress, but its lie exceptional
for by what we think singular combination of ideas
and purposes, il appeals al once TO the richest and
to the poorest the manufacturer and his laborer
II advocates class legislation for The one and class
legislation for the oheri il wants 10 protect the bus
mess Of the frsl md 10 assure the wel-being OF tho
last Il is thus douby popular and each class toler
ales it protection Of The other for the love borne to
itself.
But In addition 10 these sources OF popularity, the
Tribune considering the amount OF its reading mat
and the funess Of its news, sprobebly the cheap
est Journal in The United States and we are not sure
therefore, but that we concade to lis talents what
may be due in great part TO its pure business quail
the rule which we believe, exists that the nfnsnce
of journal depends less It's circulation than Its
ability and lis prosperity less on the ability Of Its
editor than upon his business qnalifcatiuns.--Nesr
York Mirror it.