Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-11
The Duty Of the Democracy to suppsrs thsil
Press.

our friends as OF paramount interest TO US anc
to the Democratic press generally, and Of bu
liz le consequence to them. IL We regarl i
as merely question of profit and in bust
ness aspect. such may be It's character, but /
take a broader view OF the matter il vii
be found that a responsibility and duty rest
upon every Democrat 10 give a cheerful ana
rsmU'erative support to MS party press. 1
Is unnecessary for Us to say word upon the
valus Of an intelligent ard efficient paper C
give vitality and energy 70 a party AID sue.
cess to It's principles, measures and men
These are facts self-evideut to ell, vet thei,
importance does not have that appreciative
consideration which it should, by our politi-
cal friends. There Is neither pleasure mol
profit IN conducting paper which is either
grudgingly or ineficiently supported. A pa
per. to have influence as a political organ,
should I've beyond any pecuniary emb1rrass-
men'. Neither should it depend upon cliques
or individuals for a support necessary to its
existence. When this is the case, it ceases
30 be Independent. to be the representative oil
the ~hos parry and its general Interests, and
becomes the mtra tool Of those who have
personal PurPo-es to accomplish. A press
should never be starved by its party into this
necessity, and it shouI ever be in position
to repel any advances If this character. Il
should also be free to express its sentiments
boldly and decidedly upon all questions OF
policy; to defend the right aud oppose the
wrong.
There are mutual obligations between the
party and IT'S press. The duty of the latter
is to advocate and defend its principles, mea-
sures and representative men; to conciliate all
opposing elements and divisions within its
own borders; to sustain its organization
and give it life and vigor. And the party
should give its press generous support, re-
curing nothing from it that will sacrifice its
Independence and thus its usefulness. There
should not only be given to the organs OF the
party all its official patronage, but the personal
isaenee and support of its individual mem
bes. The circulation of the paper should
ts extended all that is possible. 1t should
Be N de 10 reach and influence all Of its po-
iitic I friends no; only, but those of opposite
Sc tic ents. And to accomplish this it re-
qeises the personal effJrts Of its party friends.
And here is fel3 on which every Demo
cat can do something. a mere request will
often get a subscriber or business for paper,
and we doubt not that the circulation of this
paper could be increased four fold. if all OF
its present subscribers would make little
PERSONAL effort to accomplish it. 1t would
cost them bat little and woald do us great
good. We hope this suggestion will lie acted
upon. not merely for our benefit, but for the
political influence it will exert hereafter.
If the del ooratic party desire to contin-
ne their present supremacy. its press must be
literally sustained. its eff -iency increased.
aud its circulation enlarged. Aud we say
this to our friends uninhnenced by mere SELF
ish considerations. The position that we oc-
cupy is not bed Of roses, nor one that we
covet IL Is one not OILY of great r spousi-
Iilty. but Of labor and d fficulty. A central
organ is taxed In every way. We have S.yl.
Ia oD ore side and Chary bdis oil the other to
contend With. and it requires a skillruI aud
determined plot to keep an unob-tructed
Oh rDnel AID il it is not obvious to every
Democrat that its>centrsl organ should have
all the official patronage and individual sup
port that its party can give il, to place it in q
position Of eftire independence and give i,
that usefulness and Efficiency which it should
possess. it only needs our experience to salts
fy them Of the truth. IL is a well-knovn
fact that the opposition press have greater
circulation and infinitely better support thar
our fwn party papers. They exert an iniu-
ence upon public sentiment which must not
be despse }. and if the democracy wish t,
countt IA that il duence, they must be wise
en- ugh to turn upon them their own wea-
pms The circulation OF our paper is respect
be, AID this We know to BE- the experience of
every democratic paper in the State. With
incre 'sed support We Can give increased inter
est aud value to the Srntne and The same NAV
b. said of every other democratic paper; and
whether we shall have that support depends
upon the individual efforts and influence Of
those who profess to have at heart the per-
manent ascendsncy Of democratic principles
and policy. Every paper. to give it that po-
sition, credit and influence which it should
have. must be placed upon permanent ba-
sis, and it only requires the will of its politi-
cal friends to give that position to the Sen
ti17ei.
Already have our opponents commenced
the work Of organization for new campaign.
It will not do for the Democracy to rest upon
their arms Experience shows that we have
an uuscrupulous and untiring foe to contend
with. By inactivity, and neglect of the pro-
per means, shall we allow the enemy to secure
the influences which we should possess? An
energetic press is the element Of lifete par
ty-without il, it will become dead BODY.
To foster and encourage Their press freely and
genert usly, is now tn li-st AID most impor
tant duty Of the Democratic party and to
show that the views we have expressed. are
not peculiar to this paper, and that they
should have the attention and consideration
of our political friends. we append to this ar
tiele some ex racts upon the subject, from
leading Democratic journals in other sections
Of the country, and commend them to their
notice. We ask especial attention to the re-
marks upon the required character, condition
and pos ton # the central organ Of party, as
IL my suggest some ideas to our friends
which they have not before considered.
The Albany Atlas and Argus says:
"1he Democratic party has snff, red great