Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-11-20
The Democratic Press.

Among the common JOY and generous
impulses inspired by the result of the re-
cent elections, it is peculiarly gratifying to
notice the cordially with which the De-
mocracy give credit to the press in the
different States for considerable share of
the honor of having accomplished these
glorious triumphs. Never has the power
of journalism been more signallv illustrated
in any contest THAI during the late struggles
brethren are we'll entitled to all thanks for
the vigilance, activity and industry with
which they have thus far discharged the
duties devolved upon them during this
campaign. The Jealous and enlightened
speakers, who's persuasive eloquence has
brought the t'ufh home to the listening
crowds Of their fellow citizens, or repealed
and COMPOUNDED their adversaries-the
more quiet canvassers, who have given
their time 10 the dissemination of docu-
ments-and the not less efficient and pat
rlotic men who have noiselessly exerted
their Influence in the, own coun les, Towns
ana nei .hborhood. speaking words in sea
son, for re cause of the Cons tuition and
Uuion-sii of hese cheeflIIy acknow ledge
now the Democratic press aimed, en-
courascI and inviyola,ei them in their
wo.k. The great leader Of the popular re-
iorm in Great B ain, the founder of the
Society for the Di.!usion Of Useful Know
led gel Henry Brougham once called the
newspaper press "lhe best of all possible
h
in the States that have held eeci rs has
fairly won this exalted praise; but we must
add also, TO the honor of the people, that in
doing SO i. has at once responded to and ex
pressed public opinion, and that its intlu-
ence is powerful because 1t does give circu-
lation to the wellweighed thought and de-
liberate sentiment of the people
This is the secret of its influence and
the magic of its success! We are quite
aware that the ardor and confidence of Jour
nalists are often wondered at, and some
times laughed at, by persons who plume
themselves upon the idea that they are
shrewd, practical men Of the world, polti-
clans. While they could not. perhaps,
earn their salt in any respectable news pa
per Office, either as editors, contributors
or reporters, they venture to play the part
of critics upon the spirit, style and tenden-
cy of articles which in reality prove most
effective during campaign.
Another class, entitled to far more re-
spect, occasionally indulge in structures up
on the violence and bitterness of the press,
without rejecting upon the provocations
which have called forth the proper rebukes
or comments to which they are pleased to
apply those attributes. Gentlemen who
live at home, in ease of mind and body. en-
joying the Otium cum dignitate
sympathizing with more active combatants
in the common objects of their labors-can-
not justly appreciate the kind of opponents
whom journalists are often obliged, from
their position to deal with; and, therefore,
ought not to censure honorable and en-
Eghtened conductors of the press if they
should occasionally condescend to stigma
tie vulgarity as it deserves, expose empty
pretensions and rebuke falsehood in terms
more emphatic than are usual in the gener-
al current of good society. Let such be-
think them that in such contests as the
present there must be hard poundingon all
sides, and that impun:ty can be secured
most certainly by those who pound the
hardest. If there are any, however, who
are inclined to sneer at the potency of the
press in determining the issue of the pres
ent contest, they will find the edge of their
ridicule blunted. if they will take the pains
to inquire. Wherever Democratic jour
nails and other issues Of the Democratic
press have been skilfuly and industriously
distributed. there a sound conservative.
been manifested in every utterance of pub
lie opinion; and during the recent cleo
tons, was most nobly exhibited at the
polls.