Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-09-25

Int never horror Newspapers hsve good deal to an
aver for in this vay. They have managed to crowd
into the pages Of ccnenporsneous history vast num-
her of characters vbo really have business there at
all Sometimes they may have done this through mere
charity and ccnmssration for aspiring but help
less politician, sJmesimes for the sake Of trying their
power and testing their lrA1eDoe. The power of the
pfess universally admitted be very remarkable but
its extent cannot b more emphscaly illustrated than
by the vast number Of has succeeded IN crea'
ting from very slender stock Of msieriAs They are
to be found in every department OF life; in the walks oil
literature and Of scSrce, of art aud of politics Bat
they are especially numerous among politicians Legs
latures and Congress- ara rerlete with them. Offices
Of AZ kinds are A!s4Nih them. Everywhere are 10 De
found very able man, very Distinguished men, even
very great men who all their ability, their distino-
On their greatness to the newspapers Il said that
no man Is hero 10 his valet Probably not; proximity
destroys tie illusion. In tie way when the pub
lie has had fair opportunity for examining the preten.
sons of many who pass for remarkable statesmen
81 distinguished politicians, It generally detects their
true character and Eaas them be nothing better than
charlatans and qusck'.
lis not strange that, when this discovery is made
nsut Of hunbug and deception. In truth, as We have
ysry reluctantly admitted newspapers Isty
be 10 esusure on th ground They have been far too
charitable or fond Of exercising their isnce
the popular mind Nevertheless it nigh: be supposed
that hepsIsons who have pfCfed BY the charity or the
ausnce Of the psess would be animated by some feel
iog Of grattade- st Least, In some manner, re-
cognizs the instruments Of their elevation. Not at all
with the assurance preteuders, and the pre-
sumption Characteristic Of quscks they assume all the
dignity and all the arrogance Of Inherent genius There
:, one infaOe tts of these political oharatans. We
have never known public man to pretend contempt
for the presto speak of 1t sghtingJ and dsparsgnF
w. who was not either preteDder who entertain
"a no hone OF the assistance Of newspapers 10 imposing
himself on the public or one who had attained disn,-
op bv means of the vsry Influences be effects oire
gard and contemn VoS such people there Is in store
nothing bu; total failure in their Efforts to achieve dis
trc.ou or a sudden fA from the height they may have
attained It may be good eIpedent for one who has
climbed by means Of ladder, to kick the ladder away
hen be has reached the top; but since he must ut
masly come doWn, the inevitable result will be, sud
dan and disastrous fall Those politicians who are Just
now amusing themselves and the public with ribali de
nuncisors Of the press affected aneers st its contuc
mrs would do well 10 riff ct upon these principles,
they are capable Of RI cling any truths whatever
/. would be slightly ridiculous in a man, who might
scarcely DO abe 70 and alone 20 essay experiments il
sauiibrAion; it is equally absurd for men, who have
Id 10 be held up before the public, TO stIemp. Con-
gtess;ousl ne rforu al ces on the tightTope.