The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-07-19
The Pssss.-Ata dinner recently given
to tho Newspaper Press Of England, MIR.

The PREss.-h dinner recently gwen
to tho Newspaper Press Of England, Mr..
Gladstone very sensibly remarked:
"The interest of the public at large are
essentially bound up with those OF the
press. We have lived into times when The
newspaper il great social, political ana
moral power-onc 30 great that II cannon
be overlooked by any Of those who would
COMPREHEND the character Of their country
or the nature Of those processes by winch
the movement Of mighty nation Is direct
ed. While tho newspaper has thus become
a power In tho land, those Who aro con-
nected with the management Of ncwspa.
pcn-thoso who supply daily or weekly to
The public the food which they derive from
them-have become body 30 important
to US all that VIC may well say that they arc
entitled not less than others to the name
and dignity Of profession. They arc no
longer individuals % they wero century
ago. who, perhaps guided by some prophet
ic instinct, but separating themselves IN met
from tho mas Of tho community and from
tho known and recognized paths OF fame,
then laid the foundation Of the newspaper
system. They arc now persons engaged
in supplying from day to day one Of thoso
primary wants Of society, without which,
II 10 hardly TOO mucht 70 say, % we comprc.
hsnd and undentand il, Il could not exist.
II is really one Of tho marvels Of our ago
to reflect what constant and uninterrupt.
ed flood Of instruction, information, and
delight now flows through tho medium OF
the periodical, and especially OF the news
paper press, upon the whole community
As have said already, II Is 20 interviewer
with the whole tissue Of modern life that
YOU cannot tear Il out. and If you did that
tissue would be rent into shreds, 20 as 10
lose all signs Of Its identity. And this 10 a
process which 10 yet In progress. For two
or three generations the press OF this coun-
try has acted powerfully upon tho mind OF
the country, but tho circle and the area
over which III 20 scts has Of late received
an immense extension. Tho press, which
was formerly the privilege Of the educated
class, has become the patnmony OF the
people. There Is not man possessed Of
The first elements &C knowledge 10 their
simplest form to whom the press, at the
prices TO which Il has now descended, Is
not easily accessible, and If there be any
among 90 many who have not arrived At
those first elements Of knowledge, that Is
their misfortune and Il is our reprosch, but
q reproach which trust the Legislature Of
the country, before many years arc over,
will have taken effectuai measuresto efface.
! feel that in this place discharge special
duty, because ! am Of. opinion that those
whose lot Is cast In public life are, more
than any others, debtors 10 the press Of
their country" ...''. '' 800 .' '."
Mr.. Gladstone, who Is one ofthe leading
public men In England, II not in Europe,
seems to be man Of common sense rs
we'll as a politician and as an intelligent
public man he appreciates the influence of
the press, and his Indebtedness thereto. 1t
would be we'll II politicians within the cir
cui, Of our circulation, were as thoughtful
Of tho press, and rs ready to extend to It
their support and patronage as they arc to
receive It's favors.