Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-05-10
EDITORIAL LIFE.

One of the subjects frequently alluded to,
but little known, of great importance, and of
some, though not sufficient esteem, is that one
with which we have prefaced these remarks
the life editorial.
In country like our own, where the news
paper is, perhaps, the most omnipotent and
! omnipresent of all agencies-Where it stands
as preacher, chronicler, friend, politician, agent
/ king, and Judge; rewardng the good, punish~
ing the bad, encouraging progress, and stating
the path and the goal of that progress--it has
the highest crown of any, in the royal congress
of labor. That it is without reproach, no one
will assert. There are bad men who subyert
it to the lowest purposes ambitious men,
who direct it to mere political CT pecuniary
! objects; insane men, who direct it towards
what is impracticable and unattainable, as well
as to what is desirable. But the rule, by the
verdict of that great jury which comprises our
| whole country, and all of our countrymen-
ay, even the world at large-has been endors~
| ed so that now it is honorable, as well as
responsible, and as influential as it is powerful.
| The very men who transform it from its true,
intents, and wrench il into wrong, pay the
homage vice must ever render virtue, in so
I'doing
If an individual has made a grand discovery
in mechanics, in philosophy, or in any other
department of learning, what is his first step
but to secure the herculean agency of the
press? If grand deed has been accomplish
ed, or a high thought evolved-if progress
has been made in any department soever, from
abstract philosophy to a patent rat-trap-the
world knows that the discoverer is never con.
tent with his laurels, unless they are placed
upon his brow by the press. 1t is, in our
grand democracy, Nemesis to the sinner, but
Minerva, with all her glories, to the good, and
a great stay and solace to the suffering
What an illimitable field of labor is opened
to it; and with how much ZEAL how much
ability honesty and fdelity-through adver-
sity, against opposition, without reward-does
it march on towards the mark of its high
calling; like an old knight, panoplied all in
steel, whose progress no power may prevent.
There is suffering in the way for those by
whom it is served-weak and weary in their
everlasting work, to which that of Ssyphus
was but prologue and adumbration. There
is more than weakened nerves, wearied brain,
and down-ietting of all The physical agen-
ees for thousand lions, and dogs, and hy-
enas lie in his path, watching the banner-man
as he marches-ready at all times TO besmear
his golden standard, though they may not face
his trenchanl falchion. There is the unending
wrestle with the world, 10 all the mental and
material shapes in which it can be presented,
and with those shapes subdyided into personal
and antagonistic ones. Friends must be de-
Tended to the death, though their thanks are
more than they will repay for the labor Foes
must be fought, who viii come to the encoun.
ter, armed with every weapon, TO win their
cause; and when the terrible combat is ends
ed, does the hero-fghter lie down 10 repose
and rest New issues and other contests are
waiting his taxed powers. He turns only to
meet fresh foe on as bitter field as the for
mer, who must be hurled down by his arm
because The good, easy world, knows that he
can do it, and gives no quarter if he yields
once, where he has conquered thousand
times
And more is demanded the more ia DONE
a piece Of unreasonable news, the erroneous
chronieling Of one mans gigen name, or of one
horses best time--an inference which, for
want of exact knowledge eonceraing all the
premises, happens to be vrong-is visited
with reproaeh and severe eensuge. The im@
possibility Of perfection here below is forgof-