The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-16
From the ". Y. Literary World.
FavOrs OF the Press.

As the Press mutiplies in numbers and strength
ems in power-as il does almost day by day-its
peculiar rights and duties become more and more
"a subject of profound consideration. 1t may, on
the one hand, be regarded strictly an organ OF
public sentiment, on the other purely per-
sonal property; in the one case acknowledging
service to the community as it's highest authority,
in the other recognising no principle further than
the convenience and interest ofts individual owner
The American system OF announcing the editor and
the frequent personal controversies choccupy the
columns, to sanction the belief that they in
tended mere circulars or broadsheets for the ad
vancemento the single of their propretors;
and the common question Is how does Mr.. Smith or
MIR Brown (editors) go this or that subject, rather
than what Is the view OF this matter taken by the
Daily Mail or the Weekly Neps? This Is, how
ever, clearly not sufficient or comprehensive
view OF the matter for the press constantly assumes
positions and claims immunties which could never
be allowed to il for moment, If 1t did not profess at
least, to be serving the public well ITSELF In
tulment OF this expectation II is every day called
upon TO perform services for which receives no di
rect compensation at the counter; and for which 1t
Is rewarded only by the general perusal and free ac-
ceptance OF its columns. IL it were only that Its
editor light write himself into a comfortable Of
fce, and there were no spoken leaders on the
politics of the country; if the advertisements Of the
theatres only appeared at 80 much per line, and
there were discussions OF the drama ina dlsin-
teresed spirit; if the foreign stocks only quo
ted in far they might further private specula-
ton, without airplay money article; If only the
books written by brother editors of personal friends
were handsomely noticed, and no heed given TO the
general welfare of literature and men of letters
our daily, weekly, and monthly journals, would
speedily come TO be regarded as mere placards and
advertising sheets.
1t is therefore, Justly demanded of the press that
ii shall bear on its face, in each issue, some cv-
dence Of its regard for the interests of the commu
nifty irrespective of individual spitcs preferences
as a community. This is the great plea by which
il claims respect, place, and consideration. When
ever the other hand, its pages shall be found,
from day to day or from month to month, rank and
reeking with mere personal ebulliuons II ceases 10
be public journal, and sinks at to the condi-
| ton of an inky nuisance, which the law or general
contempt could at any moment most properly
sbate. The truth is, the press is faIsehood and
fraud the moment IL ceases to be impersonal. II
has nothing To do with the person, and can only
know the statesman in his acts, the writer in his
book the artist in his picture. To % behind these
is TO commit breach of decency, little less gross
than under pretence Of offering goblet TO the ips
to dash ts contents rudely in the face of your invited
guest, who might reasonably expect some more
cleanly entertainment.
And those who seek the services of the press must
also bear these considerations in mind: It's, aid is no
10 be rsxed than it is TO be rendered, except
on grounds beyond and above those Of mere perso-
nal advantage. II you are leading career, If you
doing work Of any kind, in which personal in
terest Is merged in larger benefit TO the commu-
nifty or the world, you may properly demand the
countenance and support Of the press II, TO con-
tinue former illustration in this new come ,ion,
you pushing public improvement where the
hazards are great, II you are striving honestly TO
reform and elevate the stage; IT, at ruinous odds with
prevailing false taste, you are obeyug an original
genius in extending the domain ofar, the preserves
you aud to itself something of disnterested cham
pions succor but you cles cannot, in
rover and merely selfish pursuit any Of these
objects demand of the prcss 70 WELD It's trumpet TO
summon the public 10 provide the railroad director
with a coach and four, the actor with dashing
coat of the latest fashion, the portrait painter
lx1ytfh Han .sE re Of
fashionable sitters. OF all the pursuits which, at
the present, occupy the attention of grown up
men in this country, the profession Of ltera-
/ ture, considering the vast odds with which IL
is compelled 10 contend, the presence, in our
midst, not only Of living competitors from
| abroad, foreign books dog cheap, and foreign
/ periodicals reprinted on every hand among us,
/ 70 enforce and further their reception and sale.
i might Justly demand the most liberal construction
| OF tho Statute Of Favors, which we have been
dwelling. Aud yet, OF all classes the professional
writer Ia required 10 give the most and take the
cast he - expected 10 be within call To serve thC
actor, the singer, the dancer, the manager; tc
write up every business and every handicrait, In
succession Of gratuitous services, which IL would
astound any Ot these professional people 70 have u
| return. While the writer labors day and night
and bestovs with an unstinting hand the IA
vOrs of the press, do not hesitate TO say
that Of all men and all classes Of men, th'
original writers Of the country are content, OF
must needs be content, to receive the humbicst div
dend of acknowledgement in return. II there II
any pursuit in the land which may be fairly regard
ed lifted above sordid interests in the epirt IN
which IL j. pursued and the recompenses II receives
IL is that Of letters; there u nobor ally Of the
press, none which docs 20 much TO strengthen. re-
fine, and elevate the journalism of the country
| and, ss the New Year approaches ian advent %
! which are reminded by a circular We have jus
I received from the President and Secretary o
I the National Temperance Society, requesting
the editors Of New YORK, Brooklyn, Williams
burg, and Jersey City, ITO write an article earl
in December the subject OF Temperance, and Is
pecially the evils Of Offering intoxicating drink
during the holidsys,") we beg leave to suggest I,
our newspaper brethren, while the fsvors of th'
press are distributing. and after they have dis
posed OF the temperance article respectfully solicit
| cd in the abOvc-quoted circular, that II bad book
arc allowed to g into the head II matters very lit
tie, in the long run, what Is kept out of the sto
mach; the country, we can assure them, will b.
the purer, wiser, cleantr healthier or better
| ten years thereafter.
From the Neic York Commercial Adrerh,er.
Why will not reasonable men reason together