The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-04-17
THE COUNTRY PRESS.

Hloidi. soCidl, dHu pOlltlCdl IHuutHccS eA-
ercised by the conductors of the country
press. They are aware, ii is true, thai
almost every village and hamlet within
the extended borders Of our free and hap
py country has within itself one of those
potent levers, and generally under the
guidance of single individual, who is
often impelled TO the performance of his
duties more by the regard he entertains
for his profession than by the encourage
ment or the rewards that are bestowed.
But they do not always fairly appreciate
the control which that single individual
holds over the opinions, and over the
passions and the prejudices OF whole COM
munities. They do not at all times fully
recognize the importance of those rays OF
light and intelligence which emanate even
from the most unpretending of the CO.
workers and laborers in the wide field of
letters, 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 cannot hesitate
10 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 main
tanning that regard for individual rights,
and that implicit obedience TO the laws,
which form the true foundations of our
national superstructure.
1t is In this view, If we would estimate
them at all, that we must consider the no.
tent influences of the country press. And,
thus estimated, who then has an interest
in the progress of intelligence, and in the
preservation of constitutional liberty, will
deny to the press in their immediate cir
Gle, that support which can alone enhance
lis usefulness and extend those influences
Tor good! How frequently are we pain
ed and mortified by the perusal of appeals
made through the columns of prudentIy
and ably conducted papers, for the means
OF continuing labors which have for wears
been almost gratuitousIy performed for
the benefit of the public! 1t is sad, in
deed, to see men of genius, and men of
industry and perseverance, In such di-
lemma as this-their pride of profession
subdued; their intellectual energies Weld
ing under the pressure of neglect; their
generous hopes, and their warm ambition
to be useful and honorable, DESTROYED by
political malice or sectarian prejudicel
Such wrongs, we fear, are too often infiic-
ted upon the conductors of the country
press, notwithstanding the professions of
liberality we hear on every hand, and not
wlthsiandlng the universally acknowledged
importance of sustaining, in the midst of
every community, an independent news
paper. 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 occurred or ever
will occur.
AS, however, nearly all The country
papers that come under our observation
and they number some fifteen hundred.
mailing from every quarter of the Union
are conducted with view to the in
structlon and the advancement of the fam
lily circle IN morality, literature, and sci
ence; and, at the same time, present
synopsis OF the stirring events of the times
IN which we live, we cannot imagine how
any JudIcIous parent can withhold his
support from such publications, STRUGGLING
IN his own vicinity, and, at the same time.
Destow his patronage on papers from
distant State or city. If il is true tha,
charity begins at home, our country
friends are bound to support their country
press first, and then, according to their
means and the generosity of their dispo-
sltlons, to extend their charity abroad. and
render II as diflusive as possible. We
nave 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 i'm
provement," as well as of the favorable
estimate placed on their characters and
services by their immediate neighbors.
This speaks well for proprietors and pa
irons; and we hope TO see these evidences
OF mutual confidence and of public spirit
increase an hundredfold, until all our ex-
changes shall look as bright as a gold
dollar.
In conclusion, we do not believe that
any well-conducted eastern publication
entertalns any other opinions, or would
Suggest any advice thai would not fully
accord with the sentiments here expressed.
Ii mere are any who do not agree with
u.s. we are happy TO say we are not on
the list OF their confidential friends.
Godey's Lady's Book.
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