Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-03-05
The Press.

The Press.
In country so eminently practical ours, it is
natu raj that the discussion Of questions of material
ard intrinsic interest should engage the attention of
the people, and consequently, that the political and
commercial papers should exert the chief influence,
and absorb the best literary talent of the country
Mere imaginative composition, as the English
critics call it, "pure literature hold more
than secondary-a very secondary-place in the
estimation of people to whom the whole range of
practical science and the free discussion of public
policy is open. In all free countries, " the press
means, in fact, its political newspapers, whether
such newspapers be avowedly partizan or not. All
papers which openly and boldly grapple with the
questions of the day, must be POLITICAL and can hard
ly avoid partzanship, whether secret avowed.-
Compare the bold, nervous logic the clear, terse,
and classical style, which generally characterizes
the editorials of the leading political and CONNER
cial papers, with the difuse, milk-and-water twad-
die of the slipsop affairs which pretend to exclusive
literature. There is no sort of comparison, nor
there be any for surprise at the overshadow
ing influence of the political journals to the exclusion
of such family papers, as come in shoals from Phil
adelphia and New York, under the name of * Ladies
Newspapers" Home Gazettes' ETC., etc.
The North Carolina University Magazine, in its
introductory ascribes the failure of literary enter
prises in this State to the adverse influence of the
political press which it says is, alas too Jealous
and too powerful" And it further says, that its
conductors /" moved by r-estimate of the i'm
portance of their own calling, their disesteem of
literary enterprises have presented cold shoulder
! to all such designs"
We notice this, not for the purpose of finding any
fault with the Magazine, which We have already
commended to the favor of the people. and which we
again commend, but because it embodies mistaken
idea-we had almost said vulgar preudice-com-
mon in all communities, against political papers, and
so far as North Carolina is concerned, is founded
upon error when it says that the political press
is moved by an over-estimate of the Importance of
its calling or its disesteem of literary cotempo-
rares The fact is that our editors have not suff-
GENTLY respected their own calling. and that the
character and usefulness of the press is rising rapid
ly in proportion as its conductors becoming i'm
pressed with the Importance and responsibility of
their vocation.
| In days-in this " nineteenth century," about
which we have heard so much, everything is made to
serve some purpose Niagara is simply a stupendous
about wild and in state of nature, and for steam
well, that is hackneyed but the less useful
Why then should literature waste its sweetness on
the desert air,-why should it not be caught, har-
messed and made to work in traces like good re-
sponsible dray- horse-there is work for it to do
truths to be tod-facs to be developed-theo to
be demonstrated Its only by entering the battle field
of life, and joining in the discussion of the real and
practical questions of the day that literature can
rightfully claim the influence to which its yotares
think it is entitled.
| AS regards literary criticism we have word OF
two to say. In opinion it is false and mistaken
policy for the press of the State to praise every as
pirant ndiscrminatey without reference to the rea
merits dement's of his production, merely because
he may happen to be citizen of North Carolina
| Merit should be encouraged, but not exaggerated
proper allowance nay, even kind indulgence, should
be extended to failngs and shortcomings, but still
they should be pointed out beacons for the future
1t takes some little to critcise independently
especially where appreciation is looked for fore
gone conclusion, and the expression of contrar,
opinion is apt to be regarded in the light of per
sonal offence. Of course, the small dogs who yelp
secure in their own nsignifcance, are neither her
there but the too easy nature of most Of our ed
itors leads them to praise almost any body who ask
them, matter of courtesy, and thus paper whic
really cricises, is sometimes made to appear at
rance with its most respected contemporaries, an
. that too while it occupies the unpopular ground
So far have been able to see, the fault of on
- political press has not been jealousy of literary Ell
forts in the State, but too eager and indscrimnat
II ing approval of them-not over-estmate but a
y under estimate of its Importance. The politics
periodical press that which boldly discusses all tn
grand practical topics of the day is the great eve
- of the world, and among free people maintains
- deserved pre-eminence.
d Plank Road.
l. We are requested to state that Plank Road Nee
re ing will be held in Lumberton the second Satu
day in April next, for the purpose of taking into
Ee Sidara ton tho r,rn;act Of MA nj .aad