Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-07-11
The Press.

" AAA3S
Hero was prophetic of the future but the q
lever the mathematician dreamed of was not .
the one to move the world. Years after, the
Archimedan lever was found in the sooty |
press, occupying humble and obscure posi-
tons often, and with a high minded, free and
virtuous people for its fulcrum, it may indeed
move the world. In the independent press,
a country finds a safeguard and bulwark as
impregnable as Lacedemon's walls.
In our glorious country, above all others,
the press has a high and responsible mission
to fulfil. The public journalist has a duty to
perform and a responsibility resting upon
him that no consideration should prompt him
to abuse. We believe that few men realize
the Importance, the magnitude and the in
fuence of the American Press-it shapes
and directs public opinion whose decision
is the law Of the land.
Hence, the necessity Of the public journal
ist practicing the principles of honesty, truth
and justice, regardless of pecuniary emolu-
ment, prejudice or passion and the neces-
sity of cooling of old errors into which he
may have inadvertently fallen.
The Press should be free and dignifed.-
That it is free enough cannot be denied in
general terms-that it is sufi ciently digni-
fed admits Of serious doubt. 1t is painful
to observe the amount of personal vitupera-
ton, scurrility and even vulgarity with which
the newspaper column too often teens, fire.
nuaDtly onlv In aloIia4;oD wbon od;4o.;1-n
sition is controyerted or editorial weakness
rendered apparent. First principles seem
to have been lost sight Of, and a ponderous
lexicon Of uncouth b~illings5a:e poured forth
SO repulsive as even to bring q blush to. The
brows of the hardened fish mongers who frs
gave it currency. Reason, argument, decen
J cy and gentlemanly principles are laid aside
that editors may indulge in personal bickel
: ings and satiate a morbid appetite for fit
, and blackguardism.
; Charges are made, which, if true, wouI
: give the assailed party a fee simple to a ce
) in the penitentiary. No scruples are obse
yed-it is only with the pen, they seem
i argue within their own bosom-and thus Il
VOL "dSCo AOIlJ uulll ldOhSUdIulSm Is v
generated, and contempt becomes stale al
too heavy to be borne.
j. This is q dire and shameful evil of t
press. Readers wonder at it, and grave
5. ask, ifthese men mean what they write, h
ID is it they do not come TO blows
it Let the stain be wiped outlet a Gle
tie { proof be given. Let every Editor in
land resolve that he will not only be a e,
of tlemen in the social relations of life, but al
re as Knight of the Pen and King ofthe Trip
or Let him resolve that nothing shall ind,
nv him to come down from his elevated posit
ICE to fight mud battles with creatures that
ten on filth. The chimney sweep does
% scorn SCOT, neither is the scavenger sickel
nh by corruption. But tho Editor and gem
1T man should elevate himself to the post
his high vocation has called him and sc
-ho ously maintain it. He should be a liv
-. example to his fellowmen. lie should I
tbo der his life so pure that imputations c
upon his character would fall back upon
mental slave that dared to promulge tn
He should be, in a word, a gentleman.
-; Were this the case it would be a mile
day with the craft Editorial and wetrust
brethren will join in and reform the er
.cb- that have degraded the position and the
lon. ling ofthe American journalist. Hencef
and for aye, let lying and blackguar,
o cease to be an Editorial accomplishment.
81; US have more logic and less billingsgate.
the reflection in the columns be what
Editor claims to be in the relations of
to;n q high minded, dignifed Gentleman.