Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-10-26
NUMBER 81.
SELECT VARIETY.
The Press.

| Mr.. Winthrop, in his late oration before the
Alumni of Harvard College, thus comments on the
Press of America: t,1I .,l.H
"And then, the press of America-the periodical
the pamphlet press, the light literature press,
| and above all the newspaper press OF America
| that tremendous enginery which throws fresh
broadside, at morning and noon, day, beneath al
most every roof in the republic, and whose compet
tions so often beIay it into fatal compliances with
the prejudices the passions and even profigacy of
its supporters. Who can estimate the influence
ofsuch an enginery upon our social and moral con-
| dition2 Who can calculate the perncious effect
upon the community of single corrupt, licentious
newspaper, coming ISLANDERS like mint, changing
phases like the moon, "with 1865 opinions year,
upon every subject which ittIeats splicing its daily
and mighty potions with every variety Of obscene
and sensual stmulant, controlled by no sense of
responsibility, finding its easy way to the knowledge
and perusal of the young, and Ignorant, and mex
perienced, and pandering TO their diseased tastes
and depraved appetiteS. And who can calculate,
on the other hand, the influence which might be
produced-nay, let me say Is produced-forl have
in my mind, thank Hea ven, more than one example,
by such an engine in the hands of upright, intelli
gent; independent and conscientious men, espous-
ing and advocating neither utraisms nor citraisms
! neither wild fanatsm nor bgoted conservatism;
with the fear of God before their eyes, with the love
| of truth in their hearts, and by whom the advance
ment of knowledge, of morality, Of virtue, of right
and of righteousness; is not held subordinate 10 the
popularity of the hour to the state of the subscrp
| tion list. ..,.itfs.r.l st-..sss g.ssa
"The present accomplished and eloquent Prime
Minister of England, who has been personally
known and esteemed by SOL many of us, in this coun
try as well as in his own, has recently declared,
| somewhat emphatically, on the floor OF the Parlia
ment, that, Gas in these days the English press
aspires to share the influence of statesmen also
it must share the responsibilities OF statesmen
1t would be more true, in this country, LEAR, to
speak Of the statesmen aspiring to share 'tthe in
fuence of the press" But, however, it may be,
to the point of relative aspiration, there can be
little question to that of comparative responsible
lity Certainly, if responsibility is to be measured
by power the responsibility Of the press is greater
than that of any statesman under the sun, how
ever exalted he may be. Who has forgotten that
splendid exclamation of another English Minister
and orator, in 1910, when he challenged and dcfed
all the authorities Of the realm to contend against
the power ofthe press! "GiYe them" said he, ga
corrupt House of Lords, give them yenal House
Of Commons, give them a, tyranncal Prince, give
them trucking Court; and let me have an unfet
tered press-I will defy them to encroach an hairs
| breadth upon the liberties of England"
ayes, an unfettered press is match and an over
match for almost anything human Neither ryan
ny nor freedom can stand against it. Neither cor
rupton nor virtue can survive its systematic and
persevering assaults. 1t may be rendered all but
| omnpotent for evil, it may be rendered almost
| omnipotent for good, according TO the ends to
which it is directed and the influences bywhich it
| is controlled. And the only reliable, earthly in
fiuence to which can look for safety is sens:
of responsibility, moral and religion reponsib
| lity, on the part of its controllers 10 by5sI