The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-01-17
ADDRESS.
DELIVERED IN THE HALL OF HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES
BEFORE THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRESS ASSOCIATION AT ITS
ANNIVERSARY MEETING, IN COLUMBIA DECEMBER T. 1853,
BY THOMAS J. WARREN, ESQ.
EDITOR OF THE CAMDEN JOURNAL

IHr V
The has been called the engine Of civilization We
not doubt the appropriateness the when contemplate the
wonderful which have followed its train the promugaor
of freedom the glorious strife of social organization in the
pursuits of life liberty, and happiness"
The Press as the cum and lever of the intellectual and moral
world accomplished much for its elevation and stands consed
this day among the first and greatest for the preservation of our
"hghest privileges earth
Where would the world be at this time without the Press
Let us contrast condition of those who enjoy the exalted
privileges beuef which the press affords with Others whom
its genial light dawned aud have satisfactory to
this ENQUIRY present social and political condition Of France I'm
many respects polite and refined naon will to some
idea of would be without the privileges free press
Austria garng evidence CT what oppression dares to do where
the press is ftteed There its freedom uterance kept bay
ct ar There hundred thousand cleaning swords and brsng
baonets tremble before power There the press obliged
form to capou notions of unreasonable yants whose govern
pecaou and whose thrones unstable the wind
Whenever is arbter Of the peoples rights liberty hangs
upon thread when the press awed into silence by the force
of arms ant hollis his power by uncertain The sword
may conquer peace but the press preserve destroy for the
pen mghier than the sword Their relative influence apy illus
figure which the Cap Liberty poised above the
scales of Justice side Of the balance laid ponderou swod
simple pen but the artist has made appear that the
instrument the ouwegh the larger the sword Is the
illustration good one! Does experience and that " the
past testimony that press the glorious palladium Of our civil
religious liberties? The strong and support of in the
Of his Inherent rights member of these
stamped the express image Of God" 1t empaticsly mans
Freedom and holds the integrity of highest privileges
earth freedom Of enquiry freedom of uterance and the vast bss
of civil kindred Of every nation and the
Of every speech"
curious instance the involuntary homage
which the will sometimes paw the pen countries the
most despotcay ruled given in that Of Manesr Journal whose
editor published its columns articles the question of
capital punishment Articles breathing something Of the mild and
phiosopical spirit the great Milan Juris Beccaria.
The military commander though he had hundred thousand
asiarsaais aait
for the results such questions be publicly discussed and he
sent and informed the editor that arguments were printed
in journal against the punishment of DEATH that journal should De
at once suppressed This least admission o the fact that the
pen is mighier than the sword
Where is the world with the press
The imagination called upon the mind taxed with d'
Guilty answering this enquiry contemplate the condition OF
the world this day. where the liberty OF the press acknow
eged where of thought and of speech alike guaranteed to
the rich and to the poor where and liberal public mind
acords the pen triumph the sword where and
have their perfect work. have the complete and satisfactory
TO this question.
Take for illustration England America the greatest proud
est and governments upon earth which the freedom OF the press
is unquesouable.
is not enough ask what has the press done for man 3
But should rather ask what has the press not done for the wods
is stated of the usous Webster whose friends by
have given the appaton the Great Defender OF the Con-
stuion when he delivered the grafton Bunker HILL he pointed
completed ard exclaimed There stands the
tor of the Of the press with its bene6cen results too
say there stands demonstrating glowing language that knowledge
is power
That the press aided and aiding vastly, in the distribution of
knowledge among the Of the world scarcely lie questioned
Christian enterprise with the light Of and religion, frcing
the powers darkness give back and through the gmnngs of
approaching day, epy the dawnng of brighter and more glorious
era upon the word The advancement of Christianity preparing the
way for the approach of the engine of civilization the press and
soon,
5aWhee the golden gates of day
Open the palmy east"
will this representation Of truth and knowledge be found pocming
with its myriad trumpet tongues auxiliary the faithful eads the
Cross Glad tdgs of great joy And China bound in cnns Of
doatrous error and shut the pale civilization bv walls Of ada
mant will be penetrated her idols deoned by the Bible and the
Dress. Upon her turrets
Where the aspiant minare
Cleans along the morning sky"
;llume the Celestial empire Of the world
late now in the Progress Of the world for tell that
the press mighty ergine of knowledge and civilization We
doubt but that through its instrumenay thousands have been
redeemed and saved the world whose minds have been developed
cultivated and the purest and brightest gems which have
adorned the gtteng Of earthly glory have been discovered
among rubbish of the e and through the agency the
have elevated refined and polished like the galaxy
of fame to shine forever,
GAS mighty beacons lighting goys way"