Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1852-10-20

The PREss-Mr. Winthrop, in his late ora
ton before the Alumni of Harvard College
thus comments on the Press of America.
And then, the Press OF America-the peri
odical press, the pamphlet press, the literature
press, and above all, the newspaper press of
America-that tremendous enginery which
throws a fresh broadside at morning and evening
and MONDAY beneath almost every roof IN the
Republic, and whose competitions SO often be-
tray it into fatal compliances with the prejudic-
es, the passions, and even the prohlgacies of its
supporters. Who can estimate the influence of
such an enginery upon our social and moral con-
dition? Who can calculate the pernicious eff
feet upon the community of a single corrupt,
Gcentious Newspaper, coming ISLANDERS like a
mint, changing phases ike the moon, with 800
opinions in year." upon every subject 1t treats,
splicing its daily and nightly pOtions with every
variety Of obscene and sensual stimulant, con-
trolled by no sense of responsibility, finding its
easy way to the knowledge and perusal of the
Young, the ignorant and the inexperienced, and
ministering and pandering to their diseased APP
pettes! And who can calculate on the other
hand the influence which might be produced
nay, let me say, which is produced-for | have
in my mind, / thank heaven, more than one ex-
ample, by such an engine in the hands of up
right, intelligent, independent and conscientious
men; espousing and advocating neither ultra
sms, a wild fanaticism nor bigoted conserya-
ton, with the love of truth in their hearts and
by whom the Advancement of knowledge, of
morality, of virtue, of right and righteousness,
is not held subordinate to the popularity of the
hour or the state of the subscription list.
The present accomplished and eloquent Prime
Minister to England who has been personally
known and esteemed by so many of us in this
country as well as in his own, has recently de
clared somewhat emphatically on the floor of
Parliament, that, 'as in these days in the En-
glish press aspires to the share the influence of
statesmen, so also it must share the responsible
tiles of statesmen" 1t would be more true in
this country, fear, to speak of statesmen aspir-
ing to share the influence of the press. But,
however it may be as to the point of relative as
piration, there can be but little doubt as to that
of comparative responsibility. Certainly, fires
possibility is to be measured by power, the res
possibility of the spress is greater than that of
any statesman under the sun, however exalted
he may be- Who has forgotten that splendid
exclamation of another great English Minister
and Orator, in 1910, when he challenged and
defied all the authorities of the realm to contend
against the power of the press? "Give them"
said he, "a corrupt House Of Lords give them
Venlal house OF commons; give tneHl Iyran-
ical Prince; give them trucking Court, and
let me but have an unfettered Press, l viii defy
them to encroach hairs breadth upon the lib
critics Of England
Yes, an unfettered press is match and an
overmatch for almost anything human, neither
tyranny nor freedom can stand against it. Nei
Their corruption nor virtue can survive its perse-
vering assaults. 1t may be rendered all but ON
nipotent for good; according to the ends to
which it is directed and the influences by which
it is controlled. And the only reliable, earthly
influence to which we can look for safety is "A
sense of responsibility, moral and religious res
possibility, on the part of its controllers" 3