The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-10-21
salutatory.

SalutatoTy.
We feel some diffidence and distrust Of our
selves in assuming the chair of predecessor,
who has SO long, SO gracefully and ably welded
the editorial quill. The pursuit is an untried
one to us, into which we have been drawn,
more by the persuasion of partial friends, than
from confidence in our own powers. For
what may be lacking in the graces and accom-
plishments of writer, and the keen satire and
lively wit of our predecessor, some cOmpensa-
ton, we hope, will be found in practical knowl-
edge of affairs-varied experience in business
and an acquaintance with the wants of an
active and practical community. We come to
Evansville with design and desire to unite
our fortunes with its prosperity. We know
no place in the Union that has greater natural
advantages-a more fortunate lOcality-more
elements Of growth and prosperity--mOTe re-
sources to maintain an active trade--a greater
amount and variety of material within her
reach, on which to employ mechanical skill
and industry, and to turn the rude ores of the
earth into exchangeabe capital. If these do
not make her great and prosperous, it must be
tie want of the proper moral and intellectual
elements ofsuccess in her citizens. Endowed by
Providence with every natural advantage, the
destiny Of her people is in their own hands.
Her success is in the knowledge skill, industry
and energy of her individual citizens-and in
the social and public spirit-the harmony,
unity, enterprise and sagacity of the communi-
ty. To prosper they must be as one family.
A generous confidence-a hearty good will and
endeavor to aid those who will aid themselves,
and thereby help to promote the public good,
will do more than millions of capital--without
these mutual helps--to carry the city forward
in her career of wealth and Advancement
Men laboring together with heart and hand
for common cause-though i be for their
own common profit, can accomplish enterprises
both for themselves and the public, so vast as
to astonish them, when they look back
upon their labors. Whilst distrust, rivalry,
envy, jealousy, and selfshness in any of its
hateful forms, will arrest and destroy every
useful and valuable undertaking--killing indi-
vidual enterprise and sapping the foundations
of the public prosperity. 1t will be our pro-
vince to try to develope and promote these
moral and intellectual elements of material
wealth; and for this we will labor most assidu-
ously.
The influence, the interests and the obliga-
tons of press and the community on which
it depends are mutual and reciprocal. A pa
per cannot daily circulate among people
without leaving the impress of its thoughts,
more or less, Gu the public mind; and the pa
per will take its tone and-in some degree--its
character from the public sentiment--be it
high or Iow-that surrounds it. A sckly and
dependent press has little influence, and has
no power of good. But one strong in itself
Independent of party, of cliques, and indivldu-
ais, that can at all times freely utter its own
sentiments, and boldly support the right, and
defend the public interest-whch is always its
own true interest-can return a thousand fold
of good to those who confer this independent
power upon it. We enter upon our duties
with no views of accommodating wealth-and
scarcely with any expectations of profit; every
dollar contributed to the support of the paper
will be expended in the Improvement of the
establishment. Our chief aim and desire is, to
make newspaper that shall be an honor to
those who support it, and to those who manage
it. We begin our labors with determination
to do our part, and with no misgivings that
the public will not return to us all the support
we shall merit.