The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-12-25
honor you. John Bright
With your head up In the light,
In your honest English might
Standing forth for Truth aud Right;
You're man
And that's q good deal said,
In these days of strife and dread
Days OF manlincss stark dead,
Or stark mad.
A Profigate Press.--Its Discredit with
the People.

It Is curious to observe to what q low ebb
in tho public estimation, the Democratic
press of this country has fallen. Nobody
puts any faith in the declarations found in
that class of newspapers. Nobody believes
the bug.bear stories. or terrific accusations
which form such distinctive feature in the
Copperhead dissertations upon public men
and public affairs. Every Journal Of that
class over6ows with nverments that the Pres
ident is tyrant, and that tho whole spirit
and tendency OF his administration tend to
the overthrow Of the Government and the
destruction of the Union bequeathcd to us
by our fathers. No weak or wicked sovcr.
eign or ruler, that ever figured in history,
was ever painted in more odious colors than
is President LINCOLN by his calumniators OF
the Democratic press. IL is impossible to
name the thousandth part Of the unlawful
and scandalous things he has done, if the
Coppcrheads held amicable relations with
truth, and spoke with the voice and in the
interest of that divinity. Yet, what is tho
effect upon the public mind? Simply moth
ing but to excite n sentiment of intense dis.
gust and loathng for q system oi journalism
that neither respects the intelligence Of the
people or the obligations OF decency. a
press 30 prostituted and venal neither cnlists
the popular sympathy or enjoys its crcdence.
So in all the details OF political and public
affairs. If the people believed what tho
Democratic press asserts-if it was worthy OF
belief or attention. on its face-thcy would
rise in insurrcction against their rulers and
official agents and hurl them from their pla-
ces. But thev do not rise in insurrection,
neither are they unduly agitated, because
Democratic journalism is no longer founded
upon any basis of truth, fairness or honor,
but is wholly operated for the accomplish.
ment of dangerous objects by unworthy ends.
Its distinctive features now are wholesale
pcrversion. Misrepresentation. caricature and
detractiOn. The people are sick and disgust.
ed with it. They are too intelligent and
high minded to be Influenced by snch foul
and despicablc means. They prefer to listen
to arguments addressed to their reason and
judgement; where the elements OF truthful
ness. candor and q sense OF what is due to
Justice are wanting, they are able to form
their own independent opinions, and to ar
rive at conclusions quite the reverse ot those
inculcated by the mad spirit Of partizinship,
scoaing at all that is pure, patriotic and en-
lightened in the land.
1t is not an idle question to ask -who
searches for truth in the Copperhcad ncwJ'
paper,? Or who discovers in them that tone
of impartiality. moderation and difference
that is calculated to obtain respect even when
il does not carry conviction? Never did the
organs OF tho Democratic party descend to
lower level. bctray worse spirit or pursue
n course deserving OF sterner reprobation
than at present. 1t is punished. happily,
by the withdrawal of that confidence on the
part OF the people, which is essential to the
success OF its principles. That confidence
can be regancd only by u thorough reiorma-
ton in its conduct. 4 free press is account.
ed the palladium Of Liberty; but to he truly
free, and to be worthy to bc clnssed as on ad'
junct AMI safeguard Of liberal institutions, it
must not wear the badge. or display the llv'
cry Of the great proscni,or and patron saint
of liars and hypocrites, who build their house
upon the faith that the worse may be made
10 appear tho better rreason,-that corruption
wins more than honesty,-or that prejudice
and ignorance exist among our churches and
school houses, in n greater degree than knowl |
edge and common scnse.-SYdcusc Journal.