The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-01-27
COLUMBIA.
Saturday Morning, Jan. q, 1855.
The Newspaper.


In sermon preached on Thanks
giving day by the rector of Trinity
(EpiscopaD Church of Baltimore, the
reverend gentleman said:
T shall reserve the remainder of
nv remarks to subject which is
rarely alluded to IN the pulpit, but
which is exercising most important
influence upon every State, city,
village, county, and family of our
Union. I refer to the press-the
newspaper-which, from the smallest
beginning, luxury to the favored
few, has become indispensable to
millions, and whose power in forming
public sentiment is unmeasurable.
TO illustrate remotely the infu-
cnce of this power, suppose person
of intelligence coming to your family
every morning. he informs you of
all that has occurred in your city, in
your country, in Europe, or distant
Asia. He gathers the details of each
interesting event; he attends each
important meeting, and tells you
what was said and done In rain and
tempest, in summer and winter, does
this person pay you his daily visits;
and not only brings you information,
but gives you his opinion on each
question that. arises. In time he be-
comes one of you; he is identified
with your family; and the character
of yourself and those around have
been moulded by this constant con-
tact.
But the newspaper does more. It
brings you an hundred different
articles, besides advertisements. It
can be read at leisure. It's informa-
ton reaches children, and is read by
servants. 1t forms the subject of
conversation, and plies its ceaseless
visits to your home, instructive, en-
tertaining and interesting to all.
Have over-estimated the force of
this mighty engine? The French
encyclopedias helped to produce
the French revolution by means of
ponderous books reaching the learned
few.
What increased influence must the
modern press exert, scattering its
myriad thoughts daily among the
millions! How noble the ministry of
the editor! How vast his capacity
for good or evil! He may enter the
family daily and difuse cheerfulness
by his diversified thoughts. He may
dry the tear of sorrow, animate the
weary pilgrim to renewed exertions,
arrest the young man in his down
ward career, and shield the humble
and defenseless against the invasion
of power. We have prayed for the
President of the United States, and for
all in authority-for our Senate and
Representatives in Congress assem-
blcd. And shall we forget those who
make our Presidents and determine
our representatives?
The reverend gentleman has we'll
defined and happily illustrated the
influence of the newspaper in the
family circle. 1t is truls the. great
educator of the people, penetrating
into every position in life, and power
fully instrumental in moulding not
only political opinions, but the
morals, habits, and pursuits of socie-
tyy. How Important then, that it
should be properly conducted and
not prostituted by pandering to the
baser passions of human nature.
In discussing tho Importance and
advantages of free press, it becomes
those Of us who are connected with
its management to examine into its
duties, privileges and responsible
ties-to ascertain its true mission,
that we may guide and control it for
the best interests of our country, and
of society at large-that we may WELD
It's mighty influence in behalf Of vir-
tue and truth, the public honor and
veal, and the maintenance of the
Constitution of the country. It should
lncHlcnte o cheerful obedience to the
laws, and discountenance and de-
nounce vice in all ranks and stations
in life. Its conductors should iea-
lously watch overits columns, lest the
slightest taint of immortality OF inn
purity should find its way there. The
newspaper has become q necessity to
every family, aud, no matter how at
tractive the garb in which wrong
teachings may be clothed, they should
be rigidly excluded from it's pages.
Flash novellettes, highly-colored de-
scriptions of fashionable vices, thrill
ing accounts of mur1ers robbo,.;ae