Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-04-14
From the London Times.
dJOurnniiSm.-PoslfiOn and Eune
.f4l Nexa

From the London Times.
Statesmen IA JOurnaiism.-PositiO"" and Fu"e
lions OF the Newspaper Press.
The growing importance of the Press has excited
The alarm Of Lord FtZwilliam but though grievnuSy
frightened he has not suggested and possibly may
find it very difficult to suggest, any remedy for this
inroad into the domain of hereditary government and
exclusive party influence. Much were it, doubt,
to be desired that the Press should be what it once
was-tha content with registering births deaths,
marriages. celebrated trials, and such scraps of arts
tocratic eloquence as might from time to time be
deemed worthy of immortality, II should leave mat
tiers of state Parliament, and neither presume to
have more information nor to draw more differences
from it than the Press in foreign countries. But, as
the present state of things inevitable, we beg
by way of consolation to Lord Fitzwiliiam for the
degeneracy of these modern times to offer him some
suggestions TO the true functions of the Press,
and TO quiet his mind when he regrets that We are
either too mixed up with The Ministries, enjoy too
large and exclusive sources of information. We have
no administrative duties to discharge, party con-
siderations to attend to, object is to present
reflection of passing events and true estimate
of prominent characters, and when we have done
this have satisfied the duty of public writer's
1t is att. mpted to identify with the Ministry,
and to represent US as the peculiar recipient of lis
favor. and the organ of its opinions. We receive
favOrs from one, and represent opinions except
our own. Such terms these embody the perma-
nent denson which still clings around the minds of
the UtleQ vulgar. line was no QOuDl, WOen every
thing in this country was regarded, and with con-
siderable justice, the property of of the two
great parties into which. for their own purposes the
arstocracy divided themselves. Almost every bor-
ough was Lord Somebody's borough, every member
Lord Somebody's member, every newspaper the or
gan of party OF the humble minister to the selfish
and pre- udces of clique of privileged persons
In those glorious days the public went for little
nothing, and all the apparatus of free government
and free discussion only much artillery TO be
| i la Il
other But times have greatly altered since those
hacyon days, though the leader of the Tory party
has apparently been the last to perceive it. The
aristocratc factions remain, but they no longer d.
vide the country between them There has grown
up a third element--the public-which is neither
with them of them, but which has become inf
nitey more powerful than either 1t is for that pub
lie that the author writes; il is to that public that
the statesman speaks it is from that public alone
that the press hopes for its reward fears
If society and political life in general have outgrown
the trammels of aristocratic party. how much more
the press, which, of all the elements of social
system, has received the most rapid and complete
Development newspaper such as the Times is
in the position rather to confer than receive favors,
and rather to act the umpire than the tool or in
srument of party. II is not in the power of any
Government TO make mar the prosperity OF such
undertaking, which rests foundations in tnely
more solid than aristocratic favor or party support.
! 1t has been our lot 10 survive innumerabe Govern
"
career draws towards its close. How, then, should
that which is in its nature permanent submit itself to
the control of that which is in its nature transory,
and prostitute the high duties of truth and Justice
support the objects of party doomed TO pass away
sooner or later, and make room for that which best
represents the next phase of public opinion.
We believe that the position occupied by the more
respectable and independent position of the press
phcnomen of modern civilization imperfecly under
stood by many arrogating to themselves the title of
statesmen. The vocation OF Government is so pure
Iy practical that itdoes not satisfy all that The pub
! lie mind requires In the conduct OF affairs. Mankind
needs not only to know what is DONE but to be re-
minded and informed to the principles and objects
with which it is done. Not only do we need execu-
tors of the public will but informers of the popular
understanding, and enlgheners of the peoples con-
science. This was the great duty performed by
the Church in the middle ages. and which, with all
lis faults and superslltions, fairly entities it to be
numbered among the benefactors of mank ind =
Whatever lawess force mil ht overbear subtle
fraud overreach, there always u witness for
justice and morality, mankind then understood
them-a check against the abuse of power and 4
monitor against the vices of baroarouS and perfd
ous Gge rs becoming itself political power, the
Church abdiCated this lofty mission, and the reaction
against its ecclesiastical abuses efecually overhrev
its pretensons TO act the incorporated conscience
of Europe. Ages of intellectual and social ANARCHY
have attestei the want modern civilization OF son.
such agent which, entirely removed from the inter
ests and ntrgues of politics, ght testify for rut
: and justice, without reference to the expediency
parties or the caprice of monarchs, neither imper
c ously leading NOR hnaly following public opinion
e but supporting its power on the truth. We are fa
e from saying that we or any portion of the press
y this country adequately discharge the mission wit
e Whlrh we believe entrusted but we are a
e least far to it, that ought TO be treate
n the servants Of any political party, or as prostr
ting our influence in their interest. because the view
d which put forth public affairs happen to coli
= eide with theirs, because lend them that su,
port to which the justice Of their principles and tn
l. ability OF their administration fairly eptitIe then
Lei statesmen and publiosts learn to know each oh
: better The powers of the Press and of the Mnis
b. are coordinate and cpextensve to the is allottt
L. to the one the search after truth the other aft
y expectancy Both are necessary 10 the we'll beir
OF society, and the agreement between the practc
ID politician and public writer ought no more to be
D. matter OF reprOach than their dissension should
j. one of surprise
y Free Schools u a Cheap Press.
n Educated foreigners who visit this country soc
r discover the leading causes of the superior intel
r. gence. skill and independence of our mechanic al
e. working classes, compared with the same classes
an any country in Europe The public schools prepa
our youth for reading, and investigating, and t
cheap press aWGkens and stimulates the desire
tie knowledge. The cheap press is the great eduGat
o. of the people. 1t brings every variety of knowled
he within their reach, and gives activity and enioyme