Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-02-24


From W. H. P. Dunsys Addrsus At ,hs Tinln oenvsnsOs.
Politicians and thc Local Prous.
The Local press wields immense in6u-
ence. Il makes and unmakes Presidents,
Vice Presidents, Governors, Congressmeu,
members Of State Legislatures, Sheriff.,
Auditors, DC, DC. Candidates before tho
election, are profuse in their attention 70
publishers; are bland and pleasant in their
manners; extremely grateful for puffs they
don't deserve, and full Of protestations Of
undying love and admiration forthe editors;
glory in the impressive speeches put into
their mouths on the hustings that they new
or made; make sensation speeches at coun-
try school-houses, taken from Quilted edito-
rials, which "bring down the house." "aston-
ish the natives" and make them exclaim:---
"Behold Demosthenesp Examine their
scrap books, and see if their facts, figures
aud arguments are not culled from divers
newspapers. Watch these gentlemen after
the election, when bereft Of their eagle
plumes and adorned simply with the feath-
ers of the jackdaw Perchance they are
the Hon. Jeremy Diddler and the Hon.
Peter Funk 1t is not to be expected now,
that they have become so "wondrous great"
that they would more than coldly recognize
the man that made them. Present your
bill "Humph! Itisan extortionate charged
Two dollars thousand for tickets! Why,
DR.. Sprggins gets his labels beautifully
printed, with border, and adorned with
cut representing the lion and the unicorn
fighting for the crown, in New York, for
seventy-fve cents a thousand Can't pay
any such bill it is more than the cussed
Office is worth Good morning, Mr.. EditorT
This is one type Of the men editors have to
deal with. There is another class, honora-
bic and true, who fully recognize tho mer-
its and the claims of the press. They are
the men who support the party from prin-
ciple and not for the ''loaves and fishes."-
The two classes exist in every community,
and are well known to the craft.
1t is not the stumpers who do the real
work in political campaign. They sally
out towards the close Of the canvas, make
a few speeches at x roads, and in consider
alton for their loss of wind, claim to have
redeemed, regenerated and disenthralled"
the county from Republicanism or Democ-
racy. On the night of the election at the
village hotel, you will see them, sometimes
"half seas over" tossing their slouched hats
into the air, frantic as Kickapoo Indians at q
war dance, huzzaiug: ave have aDnihi-
lated the enemy; beat him, horse, foot, and
dragons! Glory enough for one day ~
Often the palm of victory is thus borne
away from the local press. If political
Marty would roaoh Tho yoaeeas tho hoet usov
to do it is to increase the circulation of the
country press. Instead of wasting money
for documents" and "Tracts for the peo-
ple," a species of literature always viewed
with suspicion by the people, it would be
far better to spend it with view Of placing
the local paper in the hands of every voter.
1t is my deliberate opinion, that in these
days of party strife, no mans opinion is ev-
er changed by speech, no matter how ell
oquent or logical it may be! How many
votes do you suppose were made, respect
lively in the last canvass, by Gov. Dennison
and Judge Ranneyl They nearly tore their
throats out; and did solitary conversion
| take place as the result of their herculean
laborss 1t is singular fact, that notwith-
standing the admitted power of the press
on public opinion, the stumper never urges
the increase Of its patronage. At the close
of his Ciceronian efforts, why does be not
appeal to the people to subscribe for few
copies of the very paper that in its next is
sue viii exhaust all the adjectives in prais-
ing the great speech of Mr.. Theophilus
Swell? He generally contents himself with
an investment of three dimes in extra cop
les, to send to his sire and grandsire, or his
Sweetheart, if he has one, to show the as
tonishing progress of the representative of
the Swells in popular oratory.
The people, generally, recognize the mer-
its of the local editor, and might often pro-
tect him from the jealousy and machina-
tions of the Swells by occasionally sending
him to the Legislature or to Congress, or,
lif he prefers it, give him fat county office.
Why is this not done? Editors are used as
pumps to raise water for others, but who
imagines they are ever themselves thirsty9
They are so modest they won't tell their
desires; but in their behalf, | will tell you
that or all men upon earth, they are the
men who ought to serve you in public sta
ton. Who are more intelligent9 Who
are better acquainted with your national or
local interests? Far less talents than they
possess, when found in other men, are sure
to meet their reward. Why are not editors
chosen to fill your National Conventions9
, 1t is their business to know who are best
QUALIFIED to serve the people, and 1 venture
this assertion, that they would invariably
select ablcr and better men than the pro-
fessional politician, who has much sharp
er eye for 'the seven loaves and two little
fishes" that the candidates, if successful,
will have to dispense, than the good of the
country.
Turn Him Out.