The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-10-09
THE PRESS AND IT'S moSoRs.

THE PRESS AND IT'S HOSORS.
There are comparatively few who fullr
comprehend how important a portion Of The,
machinery OF society the press has come to
be. II is the great and almost sole instru-
mentality by which the people are brought
INTO acquaintance with important pubic
ideas, leading and representative men, the
WIDE variety OF institutions, broadly reach
ing propositions and projects, and almost
hmitlsss scope Of public motives and move
ments: The press builds up and it pulls down.
Now the leader Of the popular mind, and
now ITS voice and expositor, it ia the grand
agent BY which mind is classified. thrown
into masses, fused, and brought to bear up-
on given points of political, social End relir-
ious policy. Not an institution springs into
birth that does not tax its friendly services.
Not movement is originated that does not
rely upon it for its motive force. II. in
effect, though Indirectly, makes governors.
members OF Congress, presidents. and all
public officers elected BY the people, I'd Il
un-makes them. There are none so self
sufficient as to decline its aid in the accom-
plishment Of their objects, whether these Oh.
jects be personal or public. The author sue
ceeds or falls as the press praises or damns
him. The politician wins or loses as the
press supports or deserts him. Arbiter, and
servant, lord and lnborcr, leader, compani,n
and follower of the people, it is to- day, and
it growing emphatically more and more 50
every day, the life and power of all popular
movement whatsoever.
Now it is proper to enquire what honor i.
popularity accorded to the press. How do
leaders and people show their appreciation
OF the agency which not only gives them
their daily intellectual food, but moves them
to the intelligent decision Of the great oues-
tions submitted to them? Perhaps NOTHING
exhibits the estimation in which the press Is
held by public men better than the subord-
nate place accorded to it on nearly all public
occasions. Men who are indebted to the
press for their positions and for all that
they are, dignitaries who are the creations
OF the press, representatives of institutions
holding subordinate rank in the Affairs Of
society and government, are always remem-
bered before the press. The fifteenth toast
IS tossed out to working fellows who make
occasions respectable by reporting them, and
save public regulations by surpressins non
sense and substituting respectable for exc
crabie grammar. a -.~
There is a class of gentlemen associated
with all live newspapers who, though thev
may not be regarded with contempt bv the
public, are still far from having the homo a.
BILE position which of right belongs to them.
He may be dined and pe,ted in certain cir
cles Tor certain purposes or, what is better
still, IN many instances for his respectable
talents and position, and personal WORTH
But who thinks of honoring the rcporter?-
Many time have We seen him re garded as
mousing eayes-dropper, a meddler with
other peoples business, bother, plague,
when those that condemned him were entire
ly dependent npon him for their enterprise;
the people themselves relying upon him for
their information touching the progress of
events. There is probably no man in the
community who works SO hard, night and
day, is subject to SO many vicissitudes. and
is so important as the ONLY public voice Of
living. facts, as the reporter, yet the owner
OF fast horse, or an unusual bull, or a
pretty title, receives greater consideration
always. More honor and attention. saw we.
to these faithful, laborers. philosophical
fellows who chronicle for millions the acts,
and paint for the world the facts, OF the ever
present and the ever passing To-Day. The
keenest observers and the shrewdest renders
of character America possesses, are among
the reporters of the daily press. There is no
such ordeal for public speaker in this
country as that little band Of scribblers who
spread his speech before the world. There
is no set of men in the land who take public
mans gauge so readily as they.
In our opinion the time has fully come
that the press as an institution, and those
who control it and contribute to it as men.
should exact the tribute of honor due them.
Every year the press makes greater and still
greater demands for talent and acquisition.
familiarity with the broad range of subjects
that interest the public mind, on the part of
those who manage the press. Every wear
that passes increases the importance OF tho
press as an institution. Millions RELY upon
it for their sole reading. 1t has lifted itself
out of the hands of petty politicians and
political cliques. and become powerful,
independent agency in the civilization of the
age. 1t is time, therefore, that the press,
renewed and revivifed, and relieved of these
servile associations, should stand where il
belongs, among the foremost OF institutions
everywhere, and its representatives placed
where they belong, among those men who
labor and think for their age. There is no
ovrcweening vanity in this. 1t is IA matter
involving a dignifed sclfrespcct, and com
mon proprietv and justice and any news
paper man consenting good naturedly to be
used for-the purpose of grca. men or small,
and then good naturedly to receive their
kicks, curses and slishts, is unworthy of his
position and assoeiation.-Sprimgfeld Re-
publican. - 49,, - s.ss "a