The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-01-11

| that tho press should he tonhded to safe |
| hauds-to those who have character and po-
sition to sustain, and who will properly re-
spcct themselves as well rs others.
! Into our hands, gentlenIet, as conductors
of the press, no small responsibility has been
committed. The press is the great palladi-
um Of our liberties, and the defender Of the
peoples rights We are its guardians. AS
faithful sentinsls it is our duty to preserve
inviolable the sacred trust committed to our
keeping. The public good should be our
constant aim.
Let none suppose it to be small matter
to be the conductor of press-there il
more than name in it; for we stand as the
controlling engineers upon the mighty en-
gine of knowledge and power. We hold in
our hands the only lever which can ever
move the world.
| There arc responsibilities and duties con-
nccted with our vocation, which do not al
ways end when our connection may cease
officially with the press, or we cease to have
physical existence among men; we are liv-
future, our works arc to be seen and com
mentei upon long after we shall have taken
our journey with
THAT innumcrablc caravan, that moves
To that mysterious realm"
The present aud the future are Of more in
terest to us than the past. We should ig-
more the past only so far as its experience
may serve us proftably. We cannot recall
the past, it is gone! Let it go.
1t is in no spirit of dictation, gentlemen,
that indulge few thoughts on the duties
Of those who conduct the press. see
around mo those who are older and wiser
and from whom I would gladly receive in
struction ard advice; but as l am indebted
more to your personal kindness for the po-
sltion which now occupy than to any other
claim which | could hope to have upon your
favor, will trespass little longer upon
your time and patience, hoping that no one
will receive amiss that which is offered in
spirit of kindness and fraternal regard
The elevated position Of the press in our
State is n subject of sincere congratulation;
tho manifest Improvement in the spirit and
manncr of the papers and periodicals issued
here, is not the less gratifying to every phi
lanthropic heart, as it evidences III new
era has dawned upon u.s. that we haze
proper regard for our own reputation, as
well as decent respect for the opinions of
those we represent.
thought here occurs which I cannot
omit and which may be appropriately pre-
sentcd in this connection. 1t is this: Whilst
we repudate the idea of the press conform
ing itself to every change and variety ofpub-
lie opinion, yet there is n proper respect al
ways due to public opinion; aud we hold that
any man is to be avoided who boasts of his
indifference to the opinions of others, and
who shows in his actions, which speak more
truthfully than words, his total disregard
for even the common courtesies Of life. Of
course, gentlemen, public opinion is to be
respected only so far as it is right And in
the Observance of this, the exercise Of great
deal of good judgment is necessary. No
man ought TO yield, on any and every occa-
sion. his assent to everything which public
opinion may demand; it is sometimes unrea-
sonable, and, as n good writer saws, seldom
errs on the score of charity The public
opinion, which we ought to respect, has been
defined "a liberal and enlightened public
opinion, whose appreciation is the result of
mature wisdom, and whose Just condemna-
tion is tempered with generosity"
| Ii is, gentlemen of the Pres. Association
matter OF sincere qualification, that SO many
OF us are allowed to convene, this evening,
together in one bond of common union and
brotherhood, in the celebration of our first
anniversary. 1t is gratifying that, during
the past year, nothing has occurred to dis
turb seriously those social and friendly re-
..tions which were formed at our first convo-
cation, but free and courteous interchange
| VI oPiilOH ScHeTuIiy IldS characterized the
conductors of the press in our State. Whilst
we have cause to regret the absence of many
of our former associates and contemporaries,
who have retired from the contest with their
we'll earned laures fresh upon them, we have
much cause for congratulation in the fact
that their places are all filled with new and
vigorous recruits, who are destined to do
good service in this noble cause.
| Let us, gentlemen, cultivate even a
stronger feeling of union among ourselves,
and observe in all our controversies with
each other, n kind and manly bearing, never
| giving vent to the expression of vindictiye
or unworthy sentiments, but carefully pre-
serve our characters rs gentlemen, which, if
| done, will ensure us at all times a pleasant
| and honorable position among our fellow
men; for politeness in the common associa-
| tions Of life will cost no more than rude
ness, and will prove by fara better and more
profitable Investment. Although, ut times
ito recrminate it may seem just"-let us al
ways remember, there is danger of arriving
Mt hasty and unwarrantable conclusions-let
us, as editors, as gentlemen,
'For every trihe scorn, to take offence,
| Which always shows great pride or little sense
| Good nature and good sense should ever ioin:
To err il human, to forgive divine"
| ougnt, perhaPs, Just mere 70 md my con-
clusion, but have n few thoughts still left
me. The remark has been made by some
one, that editors and propr'etors Of public
journals are often jealous in good measures
not necessarily connected with their imme-
date vocation. 1t occurs to me that there
is great deal of truth in this remark, and
that the world is often ignorant Of what is
done for its benefit, through the agency Of
the press. There is much that 10 good which
we do, necessarily incident to our calling,
which the veil of privacy covers from the
public gaze.
Popular education is a kindred subject
with that which we have had under consid-
Grafton, for unquestionably in proportion to
the spread Of intelligence among the masses
will they become reading people, and con-
ssquently, enlightened and refined That
the press has done moro for the advance
ment of popular education than all other col
lateral means, cannct doubt: it has moved
1 I... IL. n