Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-04-21
For the Portage Sentinel.

Efforts Of the Public Press for the
Public Coed.
MR. EDrToR:-I have some suggestions
to editors and readers, which / deem Of i'm.
portsnce, and which, however they may
be receised now. feel are so just, that
they must inevitably be valued as they
ought, q measures 10 promote fhs peace,
comfort, intelligence, and consequent hap.
piness Of society. In the present state Of
society, peace and good will, are important
elements to promote the happiness Of our
race. There are, however, some impedi.
ments to the promotion and establishment
Of that peace and good will. SO important
10 our well being, that should first be re-
moved. / speak of that domestic peace, the
internal peace Of society only, for that i
feel Is ofvastly more importance than the
mere object Of peace between nations, for
the establishment Of which, Elihu Burrett
and other sincere Philanthropists, are labor
ing with 30 much zeal. Not that would
undervalue that also; for to the writer Of
this article 10 attributed the FIRST sugges-
tons many years ago for Congress Of
nations to establish peace, The universal
and permanent peace Of The world !; and
which / still deem as the great and impor-
tant ultimate object to which we should di-
rect our efforts. But for all great objects,
there are ulterior steps to be taken to lead to
the objects sought to be attained; and the
way 10 attain that universal peace, must be,
it is very evident to me, through the medi-
um Of internal and domestic peace. There
is where we must begin, TO accomplish our
objects, as / shall endeavor to show. Re
form must begin at home, even in our very
households, and themes extend to neighbor-
hoods, to counties and states-and to this
great Union Of states, before the other ma
tions Of the world can be benefited. This
great union, 10 no doubt destined to be the
great model and example for the reform Of
the world. And let us begin here at home,
and persevere, and falter not, 'til that great
object is effected. Our example will scarce
be Of any avail if we indulge in constant
party broils. in unpleasant party conflicts
among ourselves. .at55 zzs.e,. .e;.s :.
Therefore say, let US lay aside our par
ty conflicts, as the greatest obstacles to the
great ends we aim at, aad which Philan-
thropists. of all ages have so earnestly
sought. but which no former age has bsen
prepared to arrive at, as the present age is
new prepared, and especially as the state Of
society in our own region Of country Is be-
iliessd to be prepared. There are some Of
US who believe, that in no other part Of the
world ID the public mind so well prepared
for right progress in the science Of human
life and human happiness, as here in our
own region ofcountry and therefore it 10,
that we deem il our bounden duty to lead
of, in the noble objects Of reform, moral
social. Pelitiert and economical. For all
these should reformers aim, and perhaps
for more. ''s
But | took up my pen 10 say TO tbs Con.
ductors Of the public press, and to political
partisans Of all hues, let US sound a truce.
Let US lay by political animosities, all par
tisan strife that is strife, all but iaudible
emulation to do the most good. Let US al
act together to promote those great objects,
the true reform Of society. We have ar
rived at peint when tie pubic press is
found to be the great lever so long sought,
to move the world-rather the great fnl-
erum on which public opinion has to rely to
move the world. But, to be efficient, the
Press, that great medium and instrument
of public opinion, must act together; must
cooperate heartily and fully; and, with
truth and justice on Its side, there is no
obstacle too grea. for il to overcome. The
writer of. this has long been political par-
lisan, as many who read this will recog-
nize. But he has been, and is,. also, an
ardent advocate Of every reform which be
deems likely TO benefit society, and he
trusts his efforts have not beer lost. He is
now ready, as he deems this q favorable
opportunity, to dof the partisan, to unite
with philanthropic refornners Of oil parties,
for every beneficial reform. But first,
there should be q truce, as preparatory to
q general peace. And why should we
longer conienda We all profess, at least,
to have the same general objec,s--.he pub.
lie good. Let US pursue them together, ,and
be contented TO make one step at a time. !
go that we can step together; abandoning
for the time, those on which we cannot |
generally agrss, until public opinion shall
unite on the right, as il will, when better |
informed. And intelligence we find is not
best communicated by other than kind and
obligipg Language. Therefore, 4 must
exhort our brethren of the press,an speak.
ing as one having had some experience,
and claiming IN old mans privilege, would
advise them, to cast off party shackles, lay !
inside party animosities, and hencelorth 60 |
only for the whole people, for their i'd
yancement 10 intelligence, and 10 every |
hing that is good-for q union Of al good.
Whatever has heretofore been, there is
now, il is conceived, no good cause to keep |
up that thorough party drill that tends 10
make Us mistake zeal for the advance. |