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

SuOtli00 LTutuS III tuS OcCidTallOu vi LII
dependence, were all great ag;tators.---
Such are the men who have been the
pride of the world. They have led the
advance guard in the grand march to-
ward better civilization. In the devel-
opment and cultivation of the arts and
sciences, in all greet political, moral and
religious reforms, the bold, earnest agita-
tors have stood foremost They have
stamped their characters upon the ages
in which they lived, they have breathed
their spirit into the institutions Of the
world, and poured their blood into the
channels Of public prosperity.
When l speak of the Reformer, DO
not refer to these crazy, restless fellows
who kick up their heels in reformatory
conventions, and who would plunge So
ciety into fearful chaos by discarding
truth and error alike and rejecting all
the time-honored and sacred Institutions
of the past. In olden time the ancients
conceived plan of building magnif-
cent temple to the Goddess Minerva
Accordingly they set about the work,
and after years of toll the gorgeous struc-
ture was erected. 1t stood finished in
all its proportions and complete in all its
appointments.-a very miracle of beau
tv. But there was one who never con-
tributed to the work and who had always
opposed its prosecution, and when it was
accomplished, and the great temple stood
as monument of the peoples devotion,
he applied torch to it, and that great
structure which was the pride of the ma
ton, was soon but heap Of Wondering
ashes. The exhibition of such a spirit
is no new thing. Its manifestations
have been seen through all time. The
incendiary who applied the torch to that
beautiful temple, was fair representative
of that class, of reformers, who content
themselves with simply opposing their
fellows, who never contribute to any good
work themselves, but are continually re-
tarding the progress Of the. world in its
onward movements toward brighter
and better life. Such men have been
tt curse of the world. They are varnt-
ing hypocrites, who have added to their
shame by styling themselves Reformers.
There are members of the Press who be-
long to that class; men who tell us that
| the Constitution ais an agreement with
| the devil and covenant with hell" |
would include in the number. What
| the age wants is men who are fearless,
honest and radical love the honest,
radical reformer. He is Gods nob'eman.
He has touch of nature in his SOUL
Why, the old oak is radical as i: sends
down its roots and clings to the eternal
granite the tempests of heaven are
radical rs they soar over the earth with
terror in their voice; the old ocean is
radical as it sends its mountain pillows
! laundering on the shore.
Mr.. President, would now refer very
briefly to a fault that is very general
among newspaper editors--the use of
personalities. The habit of making per-
sonal attacks through the columns of
| public prints, Notwithstanding its almost
universal prevalence, is a most pernicious
one, and brings disgrace upon the edito-
rial profession. The man who cannot ut
ter and defend his opinions without re-
sort to the vocabulary Of the blackguard,
is not fit for journalist. The editor who
would gain popularity for himself and
influence for his paper, must in whatev-
err controversy be is engs ged, adhere
strictly to language that is calm, digni-
fled, courteous and truthful. The Eng
lish language is rich enough in thought
and varied enough in expression to fur
nish polite and courteous phraseolgy for
the defence of any opinion. ''Wit is
never SO sparkling, sarcasm SO severe,
ridicue so whitening, logic so convincing,
illustration so felicitous as when couched
in language eloquent and refined" The
very miidness of the terms employed
brightens the force of the idea, as the
blade of Damascus is rend red more IA
tally efficient by the exquisite tineness of
its polish and temper. On tue other
hand, coarse, abusive, and rollicking
style of writing, only ten Is to weaken
tho argument it is intended to strength
en-. There is false idea frequently en-
tertained by editors, that if their papers
are filled with vituperation and billings
gate,it will give thema reputation for bold
ness, and thus win for themselves and
their papers favor. This is not the case,
but its opposite will prove universally
true. 1t belongs to us, gentlnmen, who
control the influence of the Press in this
section of this rising State, to in part,
! bring about the desired reform in these
things, and am glad to say, that l be-
lieve it can be easily accomplished.
Wisconsin has Press that SO far as it
has had advantages, stands among the
| foremost in the United States, and be-
meath its potent inhuenue our young
State has assumed proud position in
this great and growing Confederacy.-
Blest with almost unlimited resources of
wealth, with population of unusual in
telligence and morality, and with no.
bic array of free and independent presses,
she has taken and holds position upon
The great questions of the day of which
any State might well be proud-a posi-
ton worthy of all emulation and one
which considering the infancy of her
DAYS, gives assurance that in the ripper
years She will attain glory Of which her
present is but as the uncertain glimmer
of dying twilight compared with the