North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1850-11-13
ruE. PRINTER.

Tho nr;nter is one Of the class OF public men
that nrobablv exercises greater influence for good
ar evil than any other, not even excepting tne
cIerov or those of the legal profession The
nress is the great eugiue OF civilization, ana the
pr;nter is not only its engineer, but he is its fe
- ;oAnonce Western Citizen
We have frequently been tempted to speak oil
the duties responsibilities, and of the qnalihca-
tions of the printer and in the above text we pro-
ceed to remark
The Printer has the power of doing more
oood than any other man. Through his hands
every hook. essay. communication and letter that
is given to the public must pass. He therefore,
is first made acquainted with every new theory IN
PHILOSOPHY, discovery in science, production OF
literature and with every new thought that Is
written. He has thus the means OF becoming
verv intelligent man, and as his business stands
between the author and the public. he is not on
L. the medium of communication, but his intelll-
Gence makes him the only founder of publications
that are to enIightrn the people; and very often
does he become the able author and editor. Ii is
estimated that there are 1000 serial publications
in the United States at least the proprirtorshp
of 1900 of these is in the hands of professional
printers. All country papers are owned by and
mainly edited BY printers, and at least twothTrds
of all city publications are owned and conducted
in the same way Thus we see taat the printer
not only sets the type, bu. actually writes or selects
most of the matter that amuses and instructs
vast population. How great then is the power
he wieIds ...s .4- ..E .
g But not only is he powerful in this. but the
very manner in which he shall execute this art
the mechanics OF printing are powerfully influen-
tial for good when panied with that accuracy
and beauty which intelligence can impart to them.
There is captivating spirit in beauty, and no.
where can beauty be more charmingly impressed
than in the typographical art A book sent out
bv miserable workman, lacking all the excel
lencies OF the art is repusiVe in all its pages, and
the reader opens 1t with disreIish of its contents
But on the other hand book of clear, plain let
ter, and of true artistic work. possesses an attrac
tive appearance every page, and mullitudes
who are not inclined to read are led to admire its
beauty and then to overcome that intellectual dull
ness which has them in ignorance. Thus
that every thing connected with the printing
art can be made powerfully Instrumental for pub
lie improvement
g. But more than this :: Multitudes write
brilliant thoughts who are unable to punctuate
properly, or even express themselves ia the style
best calculated to give force their thoughts and
those who can write accurately, make many mis-
takes when in haste. Now the printer, if he be
a. he should be, stands at his case and with the
crude ly written manuscript before him. can put it
into such form as will most agreeabIy surprise
the author: and make him appear as a scholar as
well as philosopher The printer can thus send
out what may electrify the reader, while it would
fall "stilborn" or perhaps excite disgust and rid
icule if published as written. The printer who is
truly what ne should be, is much like the repor-
ters of speeches n congress- who, it is well
known, by their skill in writing, make the crudest
efforts appear the most polished, and send out
Ohnc fhnk4 ,c>li,,
which, if printed as delivered, would only blng
the orator into contempt -.-r
What then: must be done to elevate and dignity
the Art of Printing, and enable printers to WELD
the power they possess2 On this branch of our
inquiry we make the following suggestions:
|. The printer must be well paid. In This gol-
den aga, when every man must either " dig " for
himself or speculate out of others there must be a
good compensation TO secure the best talent This
talent is required in printing to make il Tell the
most powerfully upon the public. 3.. ~ {
g The business of the printer is confininp and
injurious 10 health. We wish we had the bill OF
mortality among printers. that others mghtse how
fatal this business is when sedulously pursued
They must therefore, be so paid that they neec
not sacrifice themselves and to this end we ap
plaud their attempts to raise their wages
8. The public should be generous to the prin
ter, because the best Interests of the people are il
his hands Those who patronizs him, should pa
hlm promptly and with afree good will. The,
should no more expect to get the productions q
his art without prompt and liberal payment, thai
TO- get the susteuance oftheir physical life withou
aJust equivalent But many underrate the prin
ter's products they look upon them as things lha
can be dispensed with, and ARE often more inclin
ed to hoard their dimes for the qualification of tn
misers spirit, than to purchase that which will
give them some character in the world and in
crease their happiness. Such persons knowltha
!9ey have bodies like all other animals, bu
.aey dc not often think .heye have minds wbicI
can ,S make them great-and perhaps the truth i
.a.y nave not, for that is small spirit that ha
not as much regard for the mind as the bodv.
49, Frnters themselves should attempt to elavat'
sh ahe" procession. By this we mean, that they
S"oU'u cultivate that moral purity which scorn