The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-01-25

me who is willing TO take counsel frop,
,thers, but who can neither be persuaded
oy the smiles Of friends nor frightened by
he frowns Of the combined host Of his
enemies. The influence Of one journal
.hus conducted, is greater than score OF
such as pander 10 whatever interest moy
be dominant in the sphere Of their circula-
lion.
There is, however, class OF "inde-
pendent editors, whom l as heartily |
condemn. They are so independent that
they refuse TO take sides on all the great
questions Of public interest. Their motto
reads thus Neutral in Politics and
Religion !' What a gross ubsurdity !
No man can occupy neutral position on
those important subjects, without offend
ing, not only the sediments OF an enlight-
ened public, but the Being who created
him. The position is utterly untenable
in moral sense, and en- attempt 10 recon-
cile il with the spirit Of this progressive
age, would end in hopeless lunacy. Call
me an imbecile, fling the charge of igno.
rance in my face, do anything to humble
me in the estimation Of my fellow men,
bu: don',, from respect to common hu-
manity, say that l am neutral editor /;
that shrink from the discussion OF those
great principles which tend 10 elevate
man, and hide my cowardice under the
Aimsy shield OF neutrality Such a posi-
tion is contrary TO the instincts OF either
sex, aud involves the question whether
such man is not really Of the--neater
genderi .eEts .' ".
The press should not only be the chron-
icler OF current events, but it should be
the conservator OF public morals. The
position OF the editor gives him an oppor-
tunity to exert an influence on all ques-
lions involving moral duties, which can
not be exercised to the same extent, by
any other person. The voice Of the ora
tor may awaken the slumbering energies
of his auditors, and rouse them to action
against an impending evil, but his in.
fluence is measurably bounded by walls
Of brick and stone. The interest dies
away with The excitement of the moment,
the words lose their power OF eDchant-
ment, and the evil still infuses its deadly
poison, slowly, but with unerriug GER
lainty. The voice Of the press is not thus
circumscribed. It's ut,erances are heard
in every family circle; and in the quiet
Of domestic enjoyment, when the nlinl is
| free from exciting influences, it daily and
weekly infuses its lessons Of morality
and virtue. II the press was what il
should be. this would be the form in which
human character would be ennobled by
its influence.
In asserting that the press should be
the conseryator Of public morals, l dc
not mean that it should take sides on the
various denomina,ional questions thai
agiiaie the Christian public, for those
questions are in no way connected with
mans moral duties. The morals which
it is the duty of the press TO defend, are
such as form the basis Of all good society
and tend to elevate man in the scale hu.
manity. They involve all the persona
rights Of individuals, and oppose vice ii
whatever form it may seek to undermine
the social or political fabric.
Newspapers are universal Educators
( Thoy do not aim to teach science and tb,
arts, nor to instruct non in the learned pro
fossiors; but all the benefits conferred b.
scionce, are given to tho world through tn
medium of Newspapers. They are indis
pcnsablo in fitting men for the practical du
ties of life, because well conducted News
paper Is an encyclopedia of practici
, thoughts, on all subjects pertaining to man
interest. How important, then, in view {
all these responsibilities, that the editC
/, should possess intelligence, honesty of puI
pose, frmness in defouding the right. an
; fearlessness ia discharging those high an
ennobiing duties which are inseparsOly col
nected with the honorable position he OF
, cupios on the stage of public lifo.
: Thcro ia another important branch of tn
. subject, which deserves far more consider
alton than shall be able to beslow upon
/, this evening. The duties pertaining TO tt
!, Press are not alone confined to its conduc
ors. The public have duties to perform, I
well as Editors and Publishers. Tho rel
tion that exists between the editor and h
] readers, necessarily involves tho existence
reciprocal duties, that. if faithfully observed
5 result in equal benefit to both parties
tho public require the editor to furnish
|, paper of large size. filed with late now
and containing synopsis of all the impo
. tant events transpiriDg throughout Tn
,, world, they must expect that no will devol
his entire timo and taients to this end
This involves the necessity of an expend
/ ture of largo amount of money, not on
T in furnishing tho materials for the prntr
; office, but in paying the weekly dues to ii
@ hands employed in carrying it on. Ever
:. paragraph. every line printed in New
paper, costs Its publishsr given amount
money, which must be paid prompt
wbe her "school keeps" or not. Tho fa,
seems to DO entirely overlooked by man
G persons who have nevor yet learned that
Il man can be a subscriber to Newspap'
e without being in any sense its patron.-
Such patronage will never furnish q
public with good Newspapers will new
. pay the daily expenses OF tho office, M
!, furnish broad for tho Editors famishir
q children.
n The value Of good Newspaper to th
II reading public, Is measured with unerrlr
+ certainty, by the amount of patronage b
slowed upon il. II it is we'll patronized q
i public will receive a corresponding benefi
not only in tho enlargement OF its column
> but in the extra labor the publisher will
enabled to bostow upon it, by awaiting hir
q self of all the facilities for obtaining i
u formation which this progressive age afford
,f The very appearance Of good Nowspapt
,s Indicates the character of the people amoI
Il whom il circulatos. If thaV aro inlollipeI