The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-01-29
Editorial Convention.

| L uISuduI W UOuOCs ttO OtesS N~NA'N'A~>
Convention held its annual session in the
State Library Rooms, at Columbus, on
Friday, the 18th January, 1851. E K.
Campbell, Esq, the President Of the Con-
vention, called it to order.
\ On motion of G. B. Flood. Esq, Messrs.
#. Brown and J. Medill, we're requested
to act as Secretaries.
4 Mr.. Campbell, the President Of the last
Ohio Editorial Convention, upon taking
the chair, and calling the Convention to
order, said:--
| Gentlemen Of the Contention:
4 As chairman OF the las, Ohio Editorial
Convention, the duty of calling this body
to order devolves upon me. This duty is
pleasure, for see around me the famll-
lar faces of majority of the members of
: the press Of this State, with whom 1t was
my good fortune TO commingle, and join
in a mutual interchange Of feeling and
sentiment little more than year ago.
On parting with the Convention upon
its last adjournment, | expressed the hope
that every member would feel that sit was
good for him to be here" and although !
have no doubt but that many found it diff
cult to follow the rule laid down for the
government of the editors throughout the
State, for it was proverbially easier TO
preach than to practice, have no doubt
but that the last Convention of the Press
OF Ohio, the first held in the State for
period Of twelve years, was productive Of
much good to Editors and Printers, in gen.
eral, and to "the rest of mankind" in par.
ticular. And that while the Sentinels on
the Watchtower OF Liberty, were busily
engaged in forming Union party, re-
Ijoice at seeing a reunion OF the Editors,
which is fair and propitious omen that
the "country was sale"
II was the favorite remark, not Of Gel
ebrated Roman Consul, but of a British
Statesman, that the press was the only
true advocate and safeguard Of the Rights
of Man. Said he:-'I will give his Ma
jesty the Army and the Navy, | will give
him all the prerogatives of the great seal,
give me the press alone and will set him
at Defiance" So, gentlemen, the State
may put forth its fiat, but no Government
considers itself safe without an organ.
whatever may be the tune it is compelled
to grind. With change in the admins
y tration, we have change OF tune, with a
shifting Of the keys Of the bureaus at
Washington, we have corresponding
} shift OF the harmonious symphonies at
tuned to the ears Of the powers that be.
| The Legislative power and that "Higher
Law" "'the Judiciary. might be the guards
of our Republican Institutions, but after
all, talk as you will, the Press is the only
true sentinel upon the watchtower Of Lib
ertv. Those who administered at its shrine,
like the vestals who kept alive the fire on
the sacred altar Of Liberty, should there
fore be men,
"Men who their duties know,
But know their rights, and knowing dare
maintain,
Prevent the long-aimed blow.
And crush the tyrant, while they rend
the chain;
These constitute a State,
And sovereign law, that States collected
Ger thrones and globes elate, ILL.,"
Sit empress, crowning good, repressing
1t was with pleasure that note the fact
that while several with whom | had COM
munion, year since, were absent from
this meeting-while pestilence had swept
with its "death bearing tale" over the land,
all those who had met on that occasion, in
"equality and fraternity" were spared by
the besom of destruction. In that time new
| C..xa. hoJ ,;,oo ond bod haa,
merged and overwhelmed in the sea of
despotism- newspapers had died, Zone
that know of and can speak Of with cer-
tainty) yet congratulate the members of
the Press upon their meeting once more.
like McGregor con his native heath" in
the full tide Of success and prosperity.
Although we have escaped the pesti-
although the Press still maintains
its full life and vigor, we are fast hurrying
to that goal which is the end Of life-that
final '.bourne whence no traveller returns" 7"
In view of this last scene Of all, in conclu-
, sion can only say to his brethren of "the
, mystic tie'' Of the press
/, "So live, that when thy summons comes
a to join .s asl 5rsg ,
The innumerable caravan, that moves
/, TO that mysterious realm, where each
!, shall take
, His silent chamber in the halls of death;
Thou 60 not like the quarry slave at night,
1 lSoourged to his dungeon, but sustained
4 and soothed
. By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
Like one who wrapped the drapery Of his
o couch
!. IAbout him, and lies down to pleasant
o dreams.'
d Gentlemen: The last fifteen years, the
: lgreater portion ! may say, the most valu-
h able portion Of my life, has been spent in
0 your honorable calling. know not wheth.
It or shall ever again rejoin the editorial
i, ,Icorps. Be this as it may, ! shall ever re-