The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-11-22
The Democratic Press and the Demo
cratic Victories.

The Democratic Press and the Demo-
cratic Victories.
Amid the common joy and generous emo
tions inspired by the results Of the recent cleo
tons, it is peculiarly gratifying to notice the
cordialty with which the Democracy give
credit to the press in the different States for n
considerable share of the honor of having &C.
complished these glorious triumphs. Never
says the CINCINNATI Enquirer, has the power
of journalism been more sgnally illustrated in
any contest than during the late struggles in
Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio. Our breth-
rem are well entitled to oil thanks for the vig-
lence, activity and industry with which they
have thus far discharged the duties dcvovlcd
upon them during this campaign. The Jealous
and enlightened speakers, whose persuasive
eloqucnce has brought the truth home to the
listening crowds of their fellow-ctizens, or re-
PEELED and COMPOUNDED their ndversaries-
more quiet and unnoticcd canvasscrs, who have
given their time to the dissemination of docu-
ments--and the not less efficient and patriotic
men who have noisclcssly excrted their inilu-
cncc in their own counties, towns and ncighbor-
hoods. bv words in season. for the cause of the
Constitution and the Unon--all Of these cheer
fully acknowledge how the Democratic press
sustained encouraged and invigorated them in
their work. The great leader of popular re.
form in Great Britain, the founder of the So
ciety for the Diffusion of Useful knowledge
Henry Brougham-- called the newspaper
press "thc best of all possible public instruc-
tors" The Democratic press in the States
that have held elections has fairly won this
exalted praise; but we must add also, to the
honor of the people, that in doing so it has at
once responded to and expressed public opin-
ion, and that itsinnuence is power because it
does give circulation to the wclweighcd thought
and deliberate 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 journalists are Of
ten wondered at, and sometimes laughed at
by persons who plume themselves upon the idea
that they are shrewd, practical, men of the
world politicians While they could not, per
haps earn their salt in any respectable news
paper Office, either as editors, contributors OIL
reporters, they venture to play the part O
critics upon the spirit, the style and tendency
of articles which, in reality, prove most affec
tive during a campaign.
occasionally indulge in structures upon the
; violence and bitterness of the press, without
refe citing upon the provocations which hav,
called forth the proper rcbukes or comments
to which they are pleased to apply those attri
butes. Gentlemen who live at home, in east
of mind and body, enjoying the otium cum dig
mitatc--athough sympathizing with more ac
) tive combatants in the common objects of the
abors--cannot justly appreciate the kind o
1 opponents whom journalists are often obliged
: from their position, to deal with; and there
I fore, ought not to censure honorable and en-
lightened conductors of the press if they shoul'
, occasionally condescend to stigmatizc vulgari
ty as it deserves, expose empty prctcnsions
and rebuke fasehood in terms more emphati
!, than are usual in the general current of goo'
= society. Let snch men bethink them that il
:, such contests as the present there must be har
i. pounding on all sides and that impunity ca
a be secured most certainly by those who pounl
# the hardest. If there are any, however, whit
u are nclrcd to sneer at the potency of the pres
= in determining the issue of the present contest
thew will find the edge of their ridicule buntcd
il if they will take the pains to inquire. Whel
IS ever Democratic journals and other issues c
a a the Democratic press have been skillfully an
" industriously distributed there Il sound, cor
Is servative, constitutional and Union sentimer
l. has been manifested in every utterance of pu
y lie opinion; and, uring the recent elections
IS was most nobly exhibited at the polls.
It THE PLANET JUpIrER.--Jnpiter is now tn
t. evening star, and will continue so until Apr