The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-19

The press is powerful in an enlightened and reading
community like this, both for evil and for good Some
what like oatory, strs up the mind to resolution and
action In the hands of Jefferson Jackson, it closes
up the files of patriots for the struggle against coruptoa
and political errors whilst it rallies the broken columns
Of federalism and arsocacy to fresh attacks upon our
freedom with almost equal power in the hands of Clay
or Webster.
Who that lived in the era that precededthe war of 1872
forget the bitter taunts and cuts with which the federal
tory press of that day stung the honest democracy into
more vigorous action! Whilst the foreign pressparticu
larry OF Engand-insulted nation by all manner of
contempuous comparisons and sarcastic filings upon the
cowardice and lack of irmness of Brother Jonathan,
their coaduors in this country joined them in language
almost as violent and outrageous. BY their joint exer
tons they maiDy produced the OF 1872 1t the
opinion of many of best patriots that tme that
but for the insults of the British and federal press the
democratic party might have permitted national
wrongs 10 sleep while longer. For the effect we have
to thank them; as that war vndicaed American rights
and elevated American character, but certainly without
design on their part.
In all crises in community in this country especially,
when the public mind is excited any great and inter-
esng question naturally turns to the press for in.
duties and powers of that formidable engine If there
be any responsibility in society which most onerous, it
rests upon the able and trusted editor he can str up to
action or can assuage anger and persuade to peace He
soothe the angry surges of party, lead by agu
ment and enreay the public mind TO forbearance and
compromise If he desires to sustain the institutions of
his country, he can blow trumpet-call to the patriot
hosts to rally around them. And if he insidously de-
ses their overthrow whilst professions of devotion 10
| ulciI advancement are WOuse upon MS tongue, every
insIdous nsnuaton, and every vile stratagem rouse
the rascble and deceive the honest will be resored
| by him. Such men are ncendaries, and theirs are
called " the incendiary press They scatter frebrands
in society, and kindle fires sometimes which consume
the fairest hopes of society.
In the present excitement in this country the slavery
question: the true lover of his country, whether North
South looks upon its progress with uneasiness, if
alarm. The patriot believes that Union is the corner
stone OF American glory safety and happiness Con-
sequcntly, he regards the a public enemy who
tries to heave that cornerstone from its position He
believes, too, that ii is dear majority of all the
people both North and South He is confident that the
efforts made for its enlargement by disappointed and
revengefu demagogues designing asprants He looks
upon all who engage in such an unhoy cause, as to be
Marked and their TO be held in eternal adherence
The preteys which they hold up the public eye can
not hide the deormity of their designs and the pretend
ed love to the negro will not the hatred to the
white man which accompanies it. The expression oil
John Quincy Adams the floor Of Congress, in reply ,o
Mr. Dellett of Alabama, exhibits the passion in its true
| deformity
nths crisis the efforts of true patriots will be unccas-
ngly directed to the countencton of the insidious
| schemes OF demagogues. They must forget minor diff
| ferences for The sake of the greater good
| The press which, like the New York Evening Post
resorts to insulting auns and provoking nsnuations cal
culated to fire up angry feeling and fix mems minds ir
econceable hatred, may succeed in defeating the bes
devised plans But the patriot will persevere and in re
lance on correct public opinion, and pure public
patriotism, determine by Divine Providence to conquer
/ AMERICANUS.