Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-08
The Progress of the Press.

Nothing more clearly indicates the spread
OF intelligence among the masses of the
American people, than the rapid increase,
general Improvement and editorial ability of
our American periodical literature.
The rapid swell in the number of newspa-
pers, periodical monthlies and quarterlies, is
unparalleled in the history of any other ma
ton on the globe. An earnest Of this spirit
was shown at the foundation Of our govern
ment, but the last twenty years have produ-
ced more periodicals than any other score
since our existence. These for the most part
have been sustained, while many Of them have
been sources Of immense wealth to their pro-
prietors. As we have had occasion to remark
before, this increase has been signal in North
Carolina. In all our towns Of ordinary size,
two or more papers are now published, and
within a few years, two of our owns is
sue two dailies, and one each in two others
have been recently started. This has given
to journalism in North Carolina an impetus
and out importance hitherto unfelt. With a
hearty good will, we wish them all success.
Along with the increase Of the number,
has grown up an Improvement in the taste,
beauty and perfection in the art of printing,
scarcely dreamed Of a quarter of a century
ago. The old world can boast of no advance
over us in these respects. No one imports o
book or periodical from Europe now on &C
count of its superior binding, paper, or typo
graphical execution. We can scarcely con-
ceive ofany thing more exquisitely beautiful
than the typographical skill exhibited in the
varieties Of type, and the establishment or
wood, stone, copper and steel, by American
artists, in our daily and weekly press and the
monthlies, quarterlics and books published
by American printers. Inthis latter respect
North Carolina periodicals can boast but little
There has been improvement it is true, bu
the meagre support given to the North Care
lima press, has kept back the spirit of pro
gress vastly in this respect.
Perhaps the improvement in editorial abb
ity and taste, has even been in advance Of tn
artistic skill displayed in the publication {
our newspapers and periodicals. Many {
our newspapers exhibit some of the best sp'
cimens Of fine writing, known to any Lar
guage. They are encyclopedias o knowledg'
containing some Of the most elaborate an
able discussions on history, politics, religion
philosophy, metaphysics, science and art,
be found any where. Our periodicals devote
to poetry and light reading, are contestir
the palm with professional poets and novelist
and have well nigh driven books of poem
and small volume novels, out of market.
person who reads with care from two to S
of our best periodicals, could hardly fail to
an intelligent and well educated man.
What if all this mighty, popular machin
ry, were entirely subordinated to the pro-
purpose of promoting the virtue, sobriet
and general w~ell-being of society? What
every thing pernicious and immoral were e
cluded from the press, and it's great enqui.
were employed solely in promoting the eco
omical, intellectual and religious interests
mankind" what a nation-what a COUNT
might we not become?