Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-07-10


the work. But this strange whm has
no foundation in trnth. The study of
Shakespeare has added greatly to the
wealth of English literature. Our schol-
ars could never have written so well nor
our poets have sung SO sweetly, had not
the Immortal Bard struck bis harp, watt
ing melodious music down the centuries.
And so the country press can only attain
that Influence and exercise that control
which it is its province to do, by learning
from the example of those who stand
most prominent in the newspaper world.
AS have said, the inhuence-of the
Press is measureIess. 1t has q power
words cannot express, and history knows
not offs time when its Influence to sustain
the right was moro needed than at pres
eut in our own land. AT such time rs
this,-when treason reigns supreme in
half the iand-when the vortex of REBEL
ion is drawing to its frightful centre those
whom we have regarded as friends and
loved as brothers-when those sacred ties
which have bound us together as peo-
pie have been ruthessly broken-when
that glorious old flag under which we
have found peace and blessing for more
than seventy years, is assailed by traitors
when those God-given institutions
which were bought with blood are at
tackled by rebels-when the red cross of
war flashes through the land and makes
it tremble with the tread of gathering ar
mics when the whole North is lighted
up with the CLEAN of flashing steel, and
every home has sent an inmate to assert
our rights and protect our Liberties upon
the battle field at such time should
the Press grid on its strength, and pro-
claim in louder tones the truth of those
principles and the worth of those institu-
tons, which we all love so well. l tell
you, gentlemen, the present is time,
when, forgetful of the past, we should
meet and shake hands oyer our differences
and swear anew allegiance to the Union,
the Constitution, and the Laws.
To be sure, we may not be immedi
ately surrounded by the 'pomp and cir
cumstance of war;" it may not be our lot
I to 90 upon the tented field and mlngle
in the fearful fray; but we can incito to
deeds Of valor those valiant hosts who to-
day bear aloft in their strong right hands
the meteor flag of our common country,
and around whom cluster the hopes of
the whole world for the perpetuatiou of
free governments. We can teach devo-
ton to that Constitution which is as con-
sentative and wise as Truth itself, and as
comprehensive as the varied interests of
the Republic; we can record for History
those deeds Of valor which are apt illus
trations of the spirit born of our free in
stitutions; we can teach reverence for
that old flag which has been made dearer
by fresh baptism of blood, and which is
the pride of the freeman, the hope of the
phlanthropist and the terror of the tY.
rant all round the world. We can de-
nounce the heresy of this foul rebellion
and stamp its leaders with an infamy
which coming years shall only blackcn
we can utter anew those glorious truths
which underle the fabric Of our govern
ment. and herald the glories of that po
litical gospel which shall be the salvation
Of the race. Let us then, gentlemen, in
this fearful crisis in our national exis-
tence, make the presses which we control
powerful in uphoIding the institutions of
our country, thus gaining the approval
of our own consciences, the thanks of n
loyal people, and the favor of just God.
Mr. President among the many faith
ful lessons which history teaches, per-
haps the most important is, that as a ma
ton increases in prosperity and power,
the danger of her overthrow increases in
like degree. The most familiar and
painful illustration of this is Rome, that
great city which was the empire Of all
nations, and the centre of civilization
for the world. While she was enjoying
1 in all THEN fullness the rewards Of an en-
lightenmert unknown to any other age
or people, she became weakened by in
formal discussions. anu the vain ambitions
of her favored yet corrupted people; and
Just as she had attained the very heighth
of her glory-when the sun of prosper
lily beamed full upon her greatness, "a
wave of Teutonic darkness rolled down
| upOu IHo Itupci Htl WY duu tuS DdEUtrI-
an Goth stabbed bis war-horse in the pal
ace of the Caesars" And now our own
country, blessed as it has been with all
which goes to make up national distinc-
ton and greatness, is in danger of over
throw by the treachery Of its own peo-
pie. Corrupted by our triumphs, and
fattered into repose by our prosperity,
we stand to-day upon the brink of DISCO
luton. The Press is in good degree
responsible for this distracted state of our
national affairs. 1t has not beer true to
its high mission. 1t has departed from
those great truths which were laid down
to control the destinies of this Republic.
In the great strife for party triumphs.
cit has pawned to-mori ow for the means
to gamble with to-day" and bartered
away its patriotism for the attainment of
partisan purposes.
But now, Sir, we should return to our
first devotion, and in the name of the IL
lustrious heroes of the Revolution, who
bequeathed to US our liberties, and whose
names are inscribed upon the heart of
every patriot, we should reilly to the flag
of the country, though it wave over seas
of blood. History is being made to-day
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