The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-12-25

change, published at San Juan Del Norte,
a desirable place for printers, if we estimate
by the terms of the American 1t is
as large as the Democrat at ten dollars
a gear, in advance; advertisements So per
square for the first insertion, and $3.50 for
each subsequent insertion.
In no part of the world are newspapers
obtained at so cheap q rate as in the U.
States, and in no other part of the world,
perhaps, are they so poorly sustained
Every family, and every man here who can
read, could well afford to take a newspaper:
yet how many there are who are content to
grope along in the dark, ignorant of the
great events daily transpiring in the affairs
of the world, and having knowledge only
of matters occurring within the range of the
smoke of their own chimneys. We are at
a loss to account for the poor encourage
ment extended to the press of the U. States,
unless we conclude that the people believe
that Ignorance is bliss,'' and that sit is
folly to be wise"
If editors here were to make their terms
correspond with the terms of the Central
American" they would receive $50 instead
of the small sum of 81 year for their
papers. But, small as the sum is, how often
is it withheld, when the printer is suffering
for his dues and how often is payment
never made at all, although he takes so
cents yearly out of his own pocket to pay
for the paper which goes out to each sub
scriber-thus losing not only his labor, but
no inconsiderable amount of clear money.
A long connection with the Press enables US
to speak knowingly on this subject. Printers
are, we believe, the most poorly paid class
of persons in the world. The Press is not
properly appreciated in this country. It's
benefits are overlooked, or not estimated
according TO their value. Suspend the en-
tire Press of the world for the space of
twelve months, and then its advantages and
pleasures would be seen and be more highly
appreciated. Darkness would reign SUI
preme-and its revival would only compare
to the rising of the glorious sun after a
midnight darkness of years DURATION
Let there be lght,'' said the God of day
and night. Let there be darkness, say
many of less wisdom.
If it were not for few 'sgood and true"
patrons of the Press, it would soon cease to
shed its rays, and be numbered amongst the
things that were. Their liberality and
punctuality enables it to maintain an exis-
tence by ''hard scuffiing," but, in too many
instances, with its strength and efficiency
sadly impaired for the want of the "sinews
of war;" In free and prosperous country
like this, blessed with ample means, pecu-
mary and educational, the Press ought to
be well sustained; and if the reader would
reflect upon its advantages, and the labor
and expense required in conducting it, we
think there would be more iberality and
punctuality extended towards it. Surely
there must be some erroneous impressions
in the public mind on the subject. To take
up paper fresh from the Press, with all
its contents appearing smooth and in proper
place, the outside reader may imagine that
but little labor or expense is incurred in
preparing it, either in its mechanical or
editorial department. The various articles
in its columns appear to have come in with
out trouble-every thing fits to a T." and
the editorial and selections are apparently
of character which required but little labor
or skill in their preparation. On this sub
iect, however, some lessons valuable to
,,,b1iSho,- no 1oor,ol e oh
of a newspaper would come into our office
and try the experiment of publishing a paper,
only for one week. We incline to the
opinion, that, in that short time, they would
retire with some new ideas on the subject.
They would find that it is both laborious
and crpenSire to publish a papep Put us
to the plough, to grubbing, or to pounding
stone on the highway, rather than undergo
the labor, trouble and vexatiOn of adjusting
three hundred thousand type every week
to please everybody! would be the general
exclamation. The editorial part-we mean
the mere writing-is a very small matter
the least of an EDITORS duty. But the
reading, the selecting, the arranging, deter
mining what shall and shall not have place,
and then having it all put into type, is no
easy task. All this, however, could be
borne with patience and good humor by the
Editor if each subscriber would properly
appreciate the value of the Press, would
bear in mind the fact that paper is not
published without labor and expense, and
would in fulflment of Divine injunction,
always ''do unto him as they would have
others do unto them We will not enlarge
on the subject. On taking up our pen to
notice the little 6-by-10 dollar paper, we
had no idea of extending our remarks be-
yond half a dozen lines. But, tout of the
fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh."
ARRIVAL OF THE AFRICA.