Lewisburg chronicle, and West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1850, 1850-03-27
Tho Country Press.

Tho Country Press.
There are only few of our readers, VI
apprehend. who are 10 the habi, Of reflect
ing seriously upon the moral. social, ant
political influences exercised by the con
duc,ors Of the country press. They arr
aware, j, is true. that almos, every village
aud hamlet within the extended borders o.
our free and happy country has within it.
self one Of those potent levers, and gene.
rally under the guidance Of a single indi.
vidual, who is often impelIed TO the perfor.
nance Of his duties more by the regard he
entertains for his profession than by the
encouragement, or the rewards that are
bestowed. Blu, they do not always fairly
appreciate the control which that single
individual holds over the opin'ons. end
over the passions and the prejudices Of
whole communities. They do not a, all
times fully recognize the importance Of
those rays Of light and intelligence which
emanate even from the most unpre,ending
Of the co-workers in the wide field OF let.
ters. because it is not in their power to
trace Out, at one view, their effects upon
the minds Of numerous persons. When,
however. they look abroad, and contrast
the intellectual, social, moral, and religious
condition Of the citizens Of this entire re-
public. with the enslaved, ignorant, and
degraded condition Of the people OF almost
every other country on the face Of the
globe. they will not. they can not hesitate
to do justice TO those who, by their efforts.
have done so much in preserving within
the bosoms Of our people The pure spirit of
liberty. and in establishing and maintain
ing that regard for individual rights. and
that implicit obedience to the laws, which
form the true foundations Of our national
1t is 10 this view, If we would estimate
them at all, that we must consider the po.
tent influences ofthe country press. And,
thus estimated, who tina, has an interest in
progress Of intelligence. land in the pressr-
ya,ion Of constitutional liberty, will deny to
the press 10 their immediate circle. ,ha,
support which can alone enhance it's use
fulness and extend those Influences for
good! How frequently are we panied and
mortified by the perusal Of appeals made
through the columns Of prudenlly and ably
conducted papers, for the means Of contin.
uing labors which have for years been al.
most g'atuilously Informed for the benef,
Of the public 1t is sad. indeed, to see
men Of genius, and men OF industry and
in such dilemma as this
heir pride Of profession subdued; their in.
energies yielding under the pies.
sure Of neglect; their generous hopes, and
heir warm ambition to be useful and hon.
'rable, destroyed by political malice or
prejudice! Such wrongs, we
ear, are too often inflicted upon the con.
1uctors Of the country press, no,withstaOd.
ng the professions Of liberality we hear on
svery hand. and notwithstanding the uni.
sersally acknowledged importance Of sus-
aiming, in the midst Of every community,
IN independent newspaper. We may say,
indeed, that we know, personally, several
such cases as are here referred to but
we hope that they are all that ever have
or ever will occur.
As, however, nearly all the country pa.
pers that come under our bsoervation-
and they number some fifteen hundred,
hailing from every quarter Of the Union
are conducted with view to the instruction
and the advancement. of the family circle
in morality, literature, and science; and,
al the same time, present synopsis Of the
stirring events Of the times in which We
live, We can not imagine how any judicious
parent can withhold his support from such
publications, struggling in his own vicinity,
and, at the same time. bestows his patro.
mage on papers from a distant State or
city. II il is true that charity begins al
home. our country friends are bound to
support their country press first, and then.
according 10 their means and the generos-
iiy Of their dispositions, 10 extend their
charity abroad, and render II as diffnsive
as possible. We have lately witnessed. in
the rejuvenated and cheerful appearance Of
many OF our old and valued country
friends, the most gratifying evidences OF
the "march Of improvement" as well as
Of the favorable estimate placed on their
characters and services by their immediate
neighbors. This speaks well for proprie-
tors and patrons; and We hope to see
these evidence Of mutual confidence and Of
public spiri, increase an hundred fold. Until
all our exchanges shall look as bright as .
gold dollar.
In conclusion, we do not believe tina
any well conducted " eastern publication
l.,,a.,.;u. snv other oi,ihioi1s or WOuI(