Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-09-09
@S. 2.
Newspaper Privileges.

THE American press IS not what it was q
few years ago. Then. i could justly boast
Of its purity-Rop it might point with shame
corded with 9 pen careful 10 avoid weaving
an attractive glitter around their heinous-
ness-no1c, every sch.ne is adopted to pre-
sent deeds Of blood and violence in the most
entertaining style to render each days edi-
ton more saleable. In the remarks we are
about to pen, we have no particular sheet in
view, but include all whose columns are dali
~ flled with sickening recOrdsOf crime per-
petrated throughout the length and breadth
Of this wicked land. We have therefore
spoken Of this, and have no desire to harp
upon itagain, but from honest conviction of =
the duty IF every journalist desiring 70 IN
~culcate sentiments Of sound morality and to
preserve the national press in It's pristine
purity.
We know that the homes Of the people are
opened every day to take in a morbid poi
son, to spend its v~irulence upon the members
Of the family circle. The ofensiveness Of
too many Of our morning papers and their
police Record" is growing worse and
worse. If an individual were to COME to our
homes, and recite the histories Of crime. as
recorded in our Journals. in the presence Of
3 our wives anddanghters, he would be kicked
from our doors; and yet the alluring, rose
tinted histories Of deprasity are daily read
4 even by the children in the nurseryI Every
effort is made to render these hSrrihle records
entertaining and attractive. Tn deepest
bottom Of iniquisy is fathomed to obtain
choice "bits" for the Qualification Of q public
whose moral appetite is fast becoming despe-
e rately deprayed. This morbid taste has been
: acquired. A few fears ago. and no Journal
3 claiming respectability, would have even
limited at what is now unblushingly recorded :
The progress Of this impure state Of our
newspaper literature has been gradual bat
it has now reached a point, beyond which
a it would seem almost impossible to proceed.-
Types have become all too feehle 10 present
2 the infamy delinsated by crime-scsnting re-
porters, and the aid of the artist and engra-
yer are invoked TO thrill the multitude with
a more graphic recitall
Some deed of horror transpires in some
modern SOdOm, and everything Connected
4. with il, decent OF otherwise. is shanelessly
~. made known 70 every man. woman and child.
,aa through the agency Of the city press. The dirty
"A affair is transferred to thousands Of tDxn and
village newspapers under . heading Of glar.
ing capitals. Innocence is thus unxittingl,
brought IN contact with the darke-t shades
=. Of deprayity. Who can estimate the mis
chief effected BY ifi Newsboys and editor
can tell bow much more rapidly the edition
containing such horrid ~rscitals. sell, and ths
they make money by the AFFAIR. The harn
cannot be estimated.
that We might give specimen paragraphs Of ID
1t corruption constantly held up 10 me gaze Q
inns everybody. but we dare not polIuts our col
the umns with their presence. Such are thei
character that they. at one time. would ha5
the offended the moral sense. and spread Q blus
.sIo over the face Of whoever read then even
ay." private. And these prurisnt and degradir
'rsal statements are every day thrust before ii
eyes Of the children even Areany 50 bin
on, as not to see clearly the fatal results
like Much has been said concerning the s.fre
sfore dom Of the press !" bat such freedom as
- now INDUCED in, is a fragrant abuse Of new
sand paper privileges. If the incidents attendii
heath the commission Of crime must be detail,
,owy minutely, let it be done in the courts Of il
rever tiee and there slnmber. No possible 20
can result from their publication, but grs
harm. 1t does not promote justice, but
ten retards or arrests it.
'esns We can remember certain papers that e,
The eight years ago were spurned from the C
sOme tre-tabie as unfit fer general reading, I
ngled now, worse than they were then, are tai
e in home and their horrible recital Of the ]
horrible crime greedily deyoured by the
were tire household. from the master to the COO
lie be Such is the abase Of the newspaper DR.
i the leges of the present day ; aud yet they
who claim to be the true guardians Of the W
&c re. and morals Of the great publici They nj
Ehere- know that, SO far from being a national bl.
cOun- ing, that they curse the land with m,
cost crime and do more TO invade personal safe
as oil than every alliance of law and justice
d sui do to suppress villainy and outrage. Tn,
deus. are the instructors that come into our Am
lgs of lean families, fostering with fIth and
go oy scenity-eageriy read and studied, and
$ arm people still ,cOnder sAy crime is on the
. sake creased
inns 1t becomes every journalist. who estee
anheo his high vocation. and desires to maint
y eA- the freedom of the press together with
y To moral purity ; and, at the same time, pul
sa'eo' it Of the present shameful abuse Of its Or
, 'eh- leges, to observe a scrupulous care over
own columns. and avoid giving eurrenc,
IN anything not in accordance with strict n
atty to reprobate the sins Of others and
: Us 70 dulously warn the reading public of the ,
% In of moral poison RAINING through the ne
gain' paper literature of the day. .
- ~ Tread them under foot.
ID the An account is given of an Elephant,
" the service in Iudia, going to driuk at a deep
e no;s. ervoir fell in. and was in danger of drown