Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-10-18

Pub'ed in secoraance with vote Of Association. /
GENTLEMEN or the Iowa PsEss A ssocrA.
IloS IL am aware that in addressing you,
| occupy both delicate and responsible po.
sition-delica.e, inasmuch "a may be sus>
pected Of desiring TO dictate to gentlemen
Who are presumed 10 appreciate the scope
and character Of their profession, and re-
sponsible because am authorized to speak
in the interests Of sne Of the ,nigh,iess insti.
tutions for good and evil in the land. Can
dor, strong convictions and . profound re-
gard for the wholesome influence Of FREE
and enlightened press, will compel me 10
deal frankly and believingly with the ques>
tions which purpose t. discuss ~ appro>
pirate 70 this occasion. And here l derive
confidence 10 the recognised courage and
Independence Of the editorial fraternity who
honor me with their attention. for none bet
ter than they appreciate manly honesty Of
purpose aud that siucerity shas speaks q i,
believes.
POWER AID UTILITY o. rHE rREss.
To describe the powers and utility Of the
public press would be TO review al that 10
most Characteristic and encouraging in our
modern civilization. Its sphere Of activity
embraces ell that pertains to the welfare Of
nan. md ;s i;-.;.-A vaiy W she bounds OF
his energy and thought; there il no depart
ment OF inquiry to which il does no. either
dirrc,ly or indirectly contribute; there are
70 snserprises Of common utility that do not
depend for their success upon ito CO. opera.
ton, and that ara not promoted BY its influ>
sncs. There Is no bene6cent owledRe for
whose transmission and inculcation it is not
powerful medium. Its labors in the cause
Of humanity are ~ manifold Is its talent is
versatile and prolific. No righteous cause is
20 humble that il may not find in the press
su auxiliary. No iniquity Is too hoary with
years, or too exaltsd 10 place 70 escape its
uncompromising assaults. Wherever beats
an aspiration for freedom, the press gives it
an eloquent tongue. Wherever hypocrisy
conceals its foul designs agains. the public
good, it unhesitAtingly tears away the veil
it speaks as boldly to the prince a. to the
peasant-as fearlsssly to the rich As to the
poor, and espouses the cause OF the humble
and obs. ure - well = that Of the illussrious;
il popularises deepest facts Of science il
scalters the richest &ems Of genius; il 10 the
impressive voice Of ToDAY, speaking Of du.
ties, righis aud iacts, 70 the common heart
il is the faithful mirror in which the worlds
s~s'sss0 sNS-sS - tS0gNeCup 0u0 W0et0 tue
lite Of man has accurate and vivid portraits
ures; it i the pioneer Of progress, The in-
sPirsr Of industry, the advocate Of truth, the
champion Of lav, justice and rslisioa. What
ever in these lasacr days has been eaised for
mankind may Be largely atshb~isd to its
wholesome influence. Take the accurscd
rebellion ~ &C illustrasion and il viii be Il
once recognized, that some Of the mightiess
forces tha, stesnmed the tide Of insurrec,ion
and imPel!ed brave people to victory, were
intensified and directed BY the agency Of the
press. ln the hands Of . free people and in
The service Of fsssdom, il ia one of the most
powerful engines ef national progress and
stability that God allows bis creatures 70 em.
ploy. ---
rHE REsrossiDlLrRIEs on rms PRIss.
The power ofthe press then being cons
fsssedly 90 great, iss responsibilities sre pro
portionste. II i can - . fountaia of light,
J. can be also belebing crater Of internal