Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-10-22
Personalities Of the Press


We do not rccolcct ever having seen
a more frequent display in the way of per-
sonaIlties than has of late distinguished
the editorial columns of newspapers in our
land. We suppose that in the last few
months, we have noticed in our exchanges
at least dozen cases, in which editors, in
their political aud other differences have
assnilcd one anothcrs private characters in
terms of tho most extreme and unspariur
bitterness. We think that such intemper
ate ebuilitions in tho discussion Of any pub
lie question, are deeply to be dlplored. as
they serve not only to produce pcrsomal
rupturcs and alterations between the I'M
mediate parties, but to lower the dignity of
the press, which should be always what it
was designed to be, the guardian and con
servator of the public morals and pcace.---
Why cannot men of opposite sides reason
together upon political subjects in a spirit
OF cuImncss and decorum This mode of
proceeding is infinitely better adaptcd to
convince or persuade, than the fcrccst vi
tuperators No matter how important or
unimportant the particular matter in issue
it best becomes the disputants to observe
mutually the rules of courtesy, and to be
guided by the dictates of proprcty in com
batting their respective opinions In fact,
the cn's of truth and Justice arc much bet
ter subServcd in this way, than by often
sive and irritating reflections and dcnunc-
ations. A man that cannot support his
views upon any and every point of pub,
lie question by calm and respectful argu-
mont, who has net sufficient control over
his feelings to prevent him from indulging
IN rude and cXaspcrating cpithcts, ought
never to engage in u CONTROVERSY We
admire firnness and intrcpidity in the
ua'nfainanec of ones opinions, even if we
hold him to be crroncous--and they can
be just as firmly and intrepidly expressed
in temperate as in abusive language.
Editors of newspapers are the last men
in the community who ought to descend
into the arena Of personalities, because the
press is universally locked ubpto us the
bulwark Of the public veal, and as one of
the main pillars of the social edifce 1t
therefore exercises a tremendous Influence
for good and evil, according to the spirit
and manner in which it performs its high
functions. The interests of the political
and social worlds are alike embraced in
the sphere of its protection, and its great
effort should at ali times, be to do consci-
cntiously whatever will tend to advance
these interests and to avoid doing what
| ever may impair or compromise them.
We have made these general remarks
only for the purpose of calling. attention to
what we considcra great and growing pubs
lie evil. We hope that our cotcmporaries,
ono and ALL will approve both the motive
and the matter of our article, and that,
it they do they will unite with us in dep.
rednting the frequency Of angry person
al discussion in the columns of the press"
FREEDoM-!Iow umch abused and pro-
famed is the sacred name of Freedom
Men shout for Freedom, and fight for
Freedom, and still remain in bondage. 1t
is not only true that who would be free
themselves must strike tho blow" but they
must "know their rights and knowing.
dare defeud them" 1T is only the free in
spirit that can be free in fact. A nation
may fight for freedom and produce revo.
luton every year, but if they do not know
III what freedom consist, they but change
from one bad condition to anothcr-but
exchange one set of Chains for another
quallY oppressive and CALLING. Darkness
Land freedom are Inconsistent and never 90
together Where there is mental darkness
there will be slavery and where there is
light. there will flourish the tree of liberty.
To enlightcn nation is the surcst and
quickest, and the only certain way of ma
King it free. Education is far more effcc-
tive than military arms--" the pen is NIGH
tier than the sword" True, the sword
may be called in to assist those who have
become enlightened through tho pen; but
the sword should always be used sparingly,
discriminatingly mercifully, aud always
with clear view of an end to be achieved
that will reward the world for the suffer.
ing endured, as the right arm that is dis
eased ia cut of that the whole body may
| not perish, but become sound and full of
the joyous tide of life. Were arms al
w Js used thus intelligcntly and humanely
there would soon be. nn end to all wars, and
Peace, eternal Peace, would take up her
abode on earth, and men would dwell to-
gethcr in the freedom of brotherly love
and the light of unerring wisdom.
MoDEsTY in women is the charm of
charms--it is like the mantle of green to
nature, without which she is desert, or
merass 1t is modesty which supplies the
very nerves, and soul to beauty, A fair
woman without virtue" saith the Bible,
"is like palied wine" It is womaa's point
Of honor which she can never allow to bo
insulted with impunity. Her honor, like
the snowsis melted with the slightest touch.
IL is like rose-wator in beautiful glass
break but the glass, and how doth the fra