The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-01-25
EDITOR OF THE ELYRIA DEMOCRAT.

Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen:
Every pursuit in which man is engaged,
is attended with certain responsibilities and
results, which stamp thor impress on So
cety, in proportion as tho actor possesses
tho means of making tho Influence of his
words and actions felt on those around
him. Since tho period when mother Eve
listened to tho enticing words of the serpent,
and father Adam acted on her suggestions,
the contest between words and actions, for
tho throne of supremacy, has been waged
with ceasoless energy. They arc the two
universal agents constantly operating on
tho mind. in all the wide range of its duties.
Their influence, whether operating jointly
or sirgly, is folt for both good and evil. AS
all that is good, and pure, and God like in
society, is the direct result Of words aud
actions, SO oil that is vile, and impure, and
Devilish, results from the samo universal!
agents. .- .y-
In tho early stages of society, when words
were communicated only from lip to ear,
actions occupied far more commanding
position in the scale of inflCenco, than ut
the present day. Men, and oven women,
wo have reason to beliove, talked thon, just
as they do now but their words thon were
heard only by those around them; now
they fall upon tho ear of thousands. oven in
distant parts of the world, and every utter
ance thus borne as it were on the wings Of
the wind, carries with ii an influence that
tolls for good or owl. Thus it is, that in
tho progress of society, through tho develop
ment of art and scienco, words have obtained
the mastery; and now occupy tho throne OF
supremacy. - ...
An author whose experience and obser-
vation entitle bis words to much considera-
ton, SAYS, "Trembie, 80 who publish writing.
A paragraph may quench or kindle the
celestial spark in a human soul--in myrIads
of souls" A somo What eccentric politician
once remarked to an inquiring novice in
political science, 'You have but ono thing
10 observe TO insure success; whatever
opinions you may think 1t prudent to on
! tertain, put none of them Ia writing."-
Crockott's opinion of the powor of words
aud tho trouble they sometimes occasion
was formed in the school OF experience
aud though his advice to the young politi
clan would not be considered strictly ortho'
dox at the present day, il serves to illus
trate the importance of studying carefully
the meaning of words designed for the pub
lie ear, the effects of which may be felt by
remote generations. The Minister. thu
LAWYER, tho Physician, the Merchant, th'
Mechanic, the Teacher of Youth and th'
Tiller of tho Soil, each wield an influence
peculiar to their svocation, which is cntiroi.
inseparable from responsibilities almost tot
sacrod to DO assumed without serious con
sideration. ....r .
} But there is another class Of person
who occupy a position Of far greater re
sponsibility, and whose influence is bouI d
ed only by the limits of civilization.
refer TO the Conductors Of the Publ
Press-lhoss who furnish Intellectual foo
for the million for. compared with them
no person exerls a more commanding IL
Huence, in all the channels through whic
human intellect directs the energies
man. HaCkneyed as this theme Is, il