Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-07-03
G0BBSUI3G1Ge8Do
For the Register.
Freedom Of The Press.

mind. Amid The multiplicity of blessings
srcured to Us by our National freedom, we
fail to recognize even the magnitude OF
those claiming pre-eminence. Born aud
educated among the hreezes oIliberty, we
are but partially qualIifei 10 discriminate
between governmental systems. In lIaIy
the inquisiliOn is the reward Of patriot
ism i'm France the guiIl"iine is The re-
suit of free and ou,spoken expression
OF private opinloa and even in Eng land,
land blazing with intellectual light and
moral glory-even there the press receives
the royal check, and the dungeon too Of
ten becomes the hab,alion Of men Of whom
AIbion's green isle is unworthy. Con-
lrasl for moment the press OF these lands
with that of the western world. There
mind is chained, and genius lrembles amid
her most splendid scinillaIions :-men
dare not speak against oppression, anu
/ The soul of liberty lies si!en, in the urn Of
death. In America The Press rs nnmuZ.
zled, and learessly pours for,hi,s 'hun-
ders Of fJenuncialion, upan everyNseheme
desmaed ao.nndermine the pillars of our
great l. c,,nfe federacy. Those schemes con-
Iived 10 tarn;sh the lus,re of land hal
lowed with The blood, the tears, and the
prayers of our patriotic ancestors may
spring from the National capitol the Sc
crel convention, or from the open cry Of
the multitude {: but the press, amid the
most daring exposures and whitening an
atbemas, remains unmoIested and un.
checked. The powerful influence Of a
free press is the foundation OF our nation
al supersiruclnre. and the only means OF
our permanency ;-n is fhtS influence
which causes the throne 10 sfake and ~.
rannv 10 lremble, and thus does II become
the creates, and most dangerous enemy OF
kings and emperors. In America the
press may bias, with It's hghnlngs the
proGessed purity Of private character, or
make an expose Of conventional wrongs !;
but no authority however nigh osres TO
suppress lis sentiments, or silence lis
Powerful voice. No dungeon incsTcerales
Calico for proclaiming The laws OF ma
ture, and unfolding another iold in the
drapery Of scientific truth.
The press is TO great extent the guar
dian OF the counlry's liberties the bond
of her union the great shield OF her pro-
lection and fortress Of her defence. II
speaks, and It's tones are echoed from
shore 10 shore. 1t deuounces, AID the
elevated are terrified II, approves, and
responding notes of praise are heard as
he sound Of many waters. How mighty
il its power how vast is its influence J!
Does some new danger threaten the
coun,ry's peace On lightning wing it
is borne from journal 10 journal, and pa
ced before the eye OF every man. Docs
an important measure issue from the halls
Of Congress ?--wilh magic swi'ness II Is
horne from Maine TO California. Is d
great question agilsing the civil or eccle-
sastical councils of the Nation! The
press leads on the conflicting hosts. and
It's words work upon the popular will as
the .'leaven in The three measures oil
meal" Truth clashes with Truth argu-
meni grapples with argument stern fact
. engage in hot conflict; logical deductions
sngriIy contend in mad battle T; the press
urges forward the opposing ranks until
victory perches upon the banners OF he
conquering party. Silently IL speaks
unheard ii loudly reasons. (s,rsnse par
adox) and exeris lis powerful influence
from The throne 10 The dungeon from the
palace 10 the hovel. Strike The press
from our national. institutions. and you
strike the capslone from The column OF our
civil and religious rights, ;-,he nation be-
comes distracted ;-,rHlh lies buried amid
The rubbish of forgetfulness ;-fhougdt,
high and noble thought. sleeps dormant
in ils mental dwelling place. .;-science,
art and religion cease Their H'umphanl
proeress ;-sreai discoveries float only.
ON The dangerous iiGe OF tradition. and Jg-
nnrance like Right-cloud. spreads DE
dark mantle over The mind OF mah. T.
vents, startling and imporlan', may trans
pire, but their history is known only IN
the various lncsli,les that gave them.
birth ;--ihe giant enterprises OF benero,t
ence and religion become dwaFled ;-snd
the vast channel that rolls It's DHtiring tide
of mental light and moral spendor around
the world IL block etl up. and closed forev-
|vr. Knowlegs sfagnafes in IFS oron
fountain. -,
To the press, RELloIoN, ART and EN-
ever be Indebted for their
most splentid triuinPhs. 80
"A glorious Gay is hi. for America
exclaimed Adams with JOY when The loud
,hunders Of the cannnnade. came upon his
ear Announcing thp passage Of the decls-
zion of independence. proclaImlng our
county free HON Brush oppresssl'n', IS I,
And well may every American hear. ex' /
claim with the aged pa,rio, "A glorious
.dav is this for America. when he s"T-
,.ri6eeni proaorIi,ns OF THE