Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-09-29
From the Philadelphia North American
The Newspaper.


manent and powerful things, is of slow
growth. Its origin was very humble
AT first the little sheet, issued weekly,
or twice week. confined itself strictly
Ito publishing such news as was allow
ed by the authorities to be printed
Discussion was hardly ventured on at
all; and when any editor was bold
enough to comment on politics, and of
tend the Government, he was sure to
be prosecuted. The newspaper was
early regarded with suspicion BY the
authorities, as if they already under
stood the immense influence that was
latent Ill the apparently insignificant
little folio. Such was the condition of
the newspaper in Great Britain for
much more than q century, durino
which it maintained a precarious and
UNCERTAIN existence-supported by the
cltizenS and the country gentlemen-
who were eager for news-Iistrusted
by the governing classes. But all the
while 1t was gaining strength, increas
the range OF its topics, and securing
the right of freedom Of all discussion.
until our times witnesses the publca-
ton Of a newspaper like the London
Times, employing the highest talent,
and eNertlng, III combination with con-
temporary Journals an influence in
Great Britain second to no power IN
the empire. The London Times has
been mainly Instrumental in overthrow
ing more than one cabinet, and makes
itself felt i'll the various departments of
| Government.
But nowhere else is the influence of
OF the newspaper so great as in the
United States. No one press in this
country exerts a 1.-THE of the power pos
sessed by the London Times but the
combined effect Of our papers, is ire
slstlble. The newspaper is completely
Identified with the United States. No
matter how highly cultivated an indi-
vidual may be, he still reads his paper;
and to tens of thousands the nevspa-
per is the only library. It must, then,
be source of congratulation that
newspaper literature is steadily improy-
ing and assuming higher character.
Editors are every day feeling more and
more that they are the principal in
stEuctors and guides of very large
class, and the result is that they labor
to place before their readers articles of
a useful nature, containing matter of
speculation, interest or OF practical
utility. We know that some persons
believe the tone and character Of the
newspaper to be declining. But we
were confident that they were in a
great error and that more ability. at
tainments, consistency, courtesy and
courage are displayed by the press
than at any former period. Those
who choose to amuse themselves BY
looking over files Of journals published
thirty or forty years ago, Will be CON
WINGED Of this fact,
We do not mean to say that there
is no room for improvements: or that all
papers published are possessed of a
proper tone and character. But our
remarks apply to the largest part Of
the journals published in this country.
Unfortunately, when a newspaper is
published exclusively in a party inter
est, and is thoroughly imbu2d with =
party spirit it sometimes is most I'M
just in It's criticisms, and unfair in it's
teachings. 1t misleads those it should
guide, confirms prejudices, and fans
anger and jealousy into a fame
Sometimes, too, 4 newspaper is open
to purchase It may lee brbed. Bat
these eases are the exception, and as
the character Of newspaper is soon
pretty generally known, the influence
Of bitter partisan sheet, OF corrupt
one, is greatly weakened, al4d the s4tis
chief they might DO, if implicitly fol-
lowed, is lesscned or reduced to almost
nothing. Besides, no paper counter
acts the injurious tendency Of another.
! y hen almost every county town has
at least two papers, the bane and anti
dote are taken ogether-crroncou
teaching is promptly followed by it's
correction.
| 50, after making all deductions for
the alterations Of the press, the news
paper remains with Us the great hand
book Of the multitude, giving to them
all the knowledge they have the time,
capacity or inclination to acquire. 1t
is the popular exposition Of politics,
law, literature, science. and philosophy.
1t stands between the student in his
closet, the rapt astronomer in his OBJ
servatory, the geologist who is busted
III the exploration of strata, the natural
list engaged in collecting and examin-
ing his specimens, and it is the inter
! prefer Of one to the other And be-
sides, it is a microcosm of the world.
1t reports what is spoken and done BY
governments and legislatures, and pub
! lie bodies It records equally the
movement Of armies, and the arrival
and departure Of merchantmen. The
newspaper describes alike battle and
It's results, or an accident to a child
Ill the streets. It reports the state eff
the markets, as we'll as treaties and
conventions TO which great powers are
! parties. And so it has come to be, in
the United States, the historian and
the tutor of the people, and an indis-
| pensable cOnservator of public liberty
! and Or1ar