Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-02-07
Mr. Manef1ela,a Aaaraas

u
printed poiee It is the inference, though Tyne of
the arts, thoughts. senti nents, and feelings OF the
human being, spoken aloud, in the ears of man.
Hihu! 10 do this, by mere mechanical agency, is
u inouern invention. BY this invention this print
Gu voice, lhtir utterance of thought and fact are
dittused through the whole earth, among oil peu-
pie and kindred-ubiquitous as air, and penetra-
ting as the light. = E5tf ~
This printed voice, gifted " ith such capacities.
has become new element of society, changing
some of the essential modes of social action, en-.
larllng the sphere of thought, and difusng intel
ilsehcs with rapidity which we deemed impossi-
be. Loved by freemen, feared by tyrants, il min
giles IN The revolutions OF mankind and battles for
liberty against municipalities and powers What.
ever other CHARACTERISTICS the Press may have this
nnch Is certain. It's everywhere claimed rs the
inehd OF iight, ana is everywhere the enemy of
darkness. 'sl
ihis new element of society, is The most effec-
1--WE element in the lntellectuai condition OF mod
ern States. 1t has never been properly analyzed,
by either modern philosophers or statesmen. The
great lact OF Its influence exists, and we ale con-
tent 10 leave 10 other ages, thetnsk OF measuring
lis force, and writing tile history of its changes.
would speak first of the moral potver OF the
Iiess and as preiminarysto this, let Inc briefly
state its history:
The first press established was simply n ne,ps
bulletin, utterly devoid of either opinion, senti-
meut, debate or report, other than naked facts,
briefly stnied.
The first English newspaper was published in
the lime Of Elizabeth, III 1858, aud was III manu-
script. The first printed one was the "Politicus
Mercunus' or Political Mercury, and was started
IN the reign OF Charles l.. in 1881, and continued
Though Cromwells time. copy OF this have
seen in New Haven, Conn. sT
Thus twill be seen the newspaper press is less
than three centuries old; established since the Re-
formation, OF which it became the right arm. Tie
first newspapers were indeed bulletins. but The
moment discussion became free they bart in II
anu took ca 10 keep il In lhat lime the press
was holder than al the pr. sent day.
The following statement will show the increase
oil the Press III the United States:
In l715 there were 81
In 1910 :. 35s
In In i sio 1000
In 1851 "8Es- $500
The newspaper increase has been six times great
et than that oil the population and the circulation
live times greater. Thus the increase of the pow
er oil the Press has been thirty times greater than
that OF the population. ftsr5.s-g
The effect of this is two fold; ii dimnishes The
individual power of paper, but it has Increased
the a. gregate power beyond computation,
We will now consider some of the p. rticulars
in which the Po,per of the Press consists.
It's first great power is 10 utter truth, magma est
people is never lost. Such is the elastic now er Of
gunpowder, that if this globe were q solid mass
and one single grain enclosed within it, and ign-
ted It would explode the whole; single truth
mas Suthcient explosive power to tear asLnder HUI
man society. Ts se tIzr .a"I III4
Tie multitudinous issues OF the Press enable it
10 e;ate and relterate truth untilit encncles the
world 5s L#srF
-, Another powerof The Press is to color facts
noe yer announces fact has the opportuu, ty 10
give 1t colonng; so that though trui may not he
violated false impression is made upon the read
e1. rms power Is very much abused.
Another power is to ceneure evil doers; but 10
lntilct The lash of the public cenSure upon those
who so "unwhipt ofijustce." Men, who from
their wealth and position in society, fear neither
me prison nor the gibbe, yet are keeny sensitive
Shen touched by The press. Its u salutary power,
Tod ioroId II should ever be lot (Applause.) -. i.
We will now consider the elements required to
make daily paper. The editor is required 10
write at moments notice, and without prepara
lion lntelligible articles all subjects; thing
winch nobody but on editor ever did. (AppauSe)
Next comes the Reporter, that ubiquitous in,ivid-
ual who Is expected TO be everywh here, and always
prepared 10 make for stupid speaker an intelii-
gent and interesting address. DR.. johnson was
once parliamentary reporter Tor n London paper.
lie made The members speak with the ore rotundo,
put he made them speak good sense aud i'll elegant
English. Ii would lie curiosity to see a report
OF Congressional proceedings perfectly accurate
nd impartial without reporter TO do il into good
English and into sense.
Next comes the commercial Editor. Next, the
travelling Editor. The London Times once sent
cut travelling Editor 10 investigate the subject
.: city sewerage. He travelled three years without
perpetaiing single Article Eut shortly utter that
lhe subject came up before Parliament, and the
London Times astomished the world with twenty
leaders on the subject, proving thatthey were bet
ter informed on tn subject iIlan all England be-
sides.
We come now TO speak of the Intefle etual IJil-
ity Of the Press.
No powerln the world has developed as much
intellectual ability as the Press. (AppIause,)
Under this head the Speaker alluded 10 BENJAMIN
franklin, John Dickinson, the author oil, the
Farmers etters.' which he remarked contribu-
ted more nc shan any other thing TO the revolution.
alluslons were made TO the "Ontario Reposi-
tOFY,D edited nv Jnhn G. CT
fence Republican, by sas Wright. AL New
ORR looked TO these two papers 10 know what pub
llc opinion was. reraa Il
M portion of the world have contributed more
to rs literature than newspaper editors and their
contributors. -.-saH.-
The French Press is characterized by eloouence
and imagination; the English Press by strength and
solidity, and the American by intelligence ana
comprehension. -
Let me ask your indulgence while advert to
lew OF what deem errors of the Press.
The only legal responsibility which the Press
feels Is the law Of libel it is responsible 10 Gov
eminent and law, only far i. Injuries lildivld-
ual character. ~ ,..
The Press has moral responsibility TO the COM
mon sense and common conscience of mankind.
ltviolates this, when it does moi adhere sufficiently
10 truth and accuracy, and VIXEN it departs from
common justice and common morals, and when it
fails IN independence; and mote than all does It
violate this, when III paragraphs clothed in decent
language, 1t v. INJURIES 10 sheer at the morals and
religion oil the community.
This class Of papers (Which happily are found
only in large citles) has cen well characterized
as the Satanic Press, for if Satan has work to do
III this world and employs means 10 do it, lie assn.
red they are his instruments. -.- =l..7.
Time is coming when the Press will be more
powerful than ever. Mr.. Canning has said that
henceforth the wars of the world are to be wars of
opinion. Every sheet that falls from the press is
bomb-shell or cannon ball that warfare.
s.--. b.. Baltimore MarIrek