The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-16
CURRENT TOPICS.


THERE Is NOTHING more striking and undoubt-
ed in this age and day than the potential charac-
ter of the press. It has been justly characterized
by Mr.. GLADSTONE, in his address at the late an
nual dinner of the Newspaper Press Fund in Lon
dom as 60 great social political and moral power,
one so great that it cannot be overlooked by any
of those who would comprehend tho character OF
their country or the nature Of those processes by
which the movement of mighty nation IS direct
ed" One reason of this great power OF tho press
is its impersonalty, which gives it elevation ana
BREADTH and lifts it above the isleness OF private
ends and personal vanities. It ls as the organ of
an enlightened public sentiment, and as the re-
preventative Of the great interests OF the COM
munity, that its uttcrances command respect.
The influence OF public journals everywhere is in
proportion to their conformity to this standard.
It is this which gives to tho London Times, tho
leading newspaper of Great Britain, the amazing
power which it wields in that country, so that its
voice is heard and needed through all the channels
of public action in England and its effect upon
Parliament, at times, was recently exemplifed in
the sensation created there by its article upon the
shortcomings Of the House Of Lords. The great
diversity Of subjects treated of by active news
paper in this enterprising age involves Tho employ
ment in the different departments of capacities
suited to each, all working in subordination to the
well determined policy and aims OF the journal
which is to give stamp to tho whole. Where
press has abored long and conscientiously for the
public interests, and sought by judicious means to
obtain judicious ends, it secures just weight
which it cannot be deprived of by impertnent at
tempts to divest it of its impersonahty. Nothing
but the most incurable obtuseness can fail to ap-
precate it in its true character at this day. When
properly and efficiently conducted, and inspired by
right impulses, it moulds and fashions into
definite forms and for definite purposes the public
opinion, evokes the latent good which may be
temporarily clouded by popular passions, and
vitalzes the moral and physical energies OF 80
ciety. 1t is in this capacity that the press COM
mands confidence and influence. The Sun has
labored in this behalf through all its years, and,
as we hope and believe, not entirely without re-
suits. 1t will continue in this course, and what
ever measures it advocates, and whatever con-
clusions it reaches, will not be without dellbera-
tion nor without soicitude that they should be IN
accordance with justice and right, and to the
practical advantage and well-being OF tho commu-
nty. It will do this, as it has ever done. under
consciousness OF the great responsibility which
rests uron it. Those charged with its conduct,
and who sit in Judgment upon it's columns, could
not be Indifferent to this consideration if they
would
TITS EXTREMELY difficult, from mere figures, to
realize what gigantic undertaking it has been to
supply even food alone to the armies which have
fought in the late Germany campaign. Tho diff
culties Of such task may be conceived if we re-
member that the front line Of the Prussian armies
in front of Vienna mustered nine times the num-
Der of British troops with which Lord RAGLAN in-
vaded the Crimea; that close behind this line lay
Gen. MULES reserve corps, and corps of the
army of Silesia which was watching Olmutz, and
that these two corps alone were stronger by four
thousand men than all the British, German and
Spanish troops that fought at Talayera; that be-
hind them again was largo mass OF Landwehr;
that during the siege Of Sebastopol the British
army was stationary, and had the great advantage
OF sea transport to within few miles of its camps,
while in the late campaign the Prussian army has
been moving forward at an enormously rapid rate,
andithat the men to be fed in the front line alone
numbered $50 O00-a population as large as that OF
the twelfth part Of London. It would be bold
man who would undertake to supply the twelfth
part Of the whole population OF London with
to-morrow's food; bolder still who would un-
dertake the task if this portion Of the population
wcre about to move bodily tomorrow morning
down to Richmond, and would require to have the
meat for their dinner delivered to them the mo-
ment they arrived there; and who, without railway
transport, agreed to keep the same crowd daily
provided with food until, moving at the samc rate,
they arrived at Plymouth; and yet General has
to do much more than this in giving food to his
men-he has, besides the ordinary difficulties Of
such o task, to calculate upon bad roads, weary
horses, breaking wagons, the attacks of an enemys
cavalry; he has not only to get tho food to the
troops, but in many cases he has to provide it in
the first place; he has to keep his magazines con-
stantly stocked, to increase the amount Of trens-
ports in exact proportion as his troops advance;
to feed not only the fighting men, but all the men
who are employed in carrying provisions to the
combatants; to find hay and corn for all the horses
of the cavalry and for the horses Of the transport
wagons, and to arrange beforehand so that every
man and horse shall halt for the night in close
proximity to large supply Of good water. This
is not the ightest nor the least OF q Generals
duties. 1t was the proud boast of England's great
soldier, that ssmany could lead troops-he could
feed them"
THE MONTGOMERY AduertiSer says An esteemed
friend writes us and inquiries why tis that we did
not publish MIR. Hn1's ssNotes on the Situation"
This is very proper inquiry and we take pleasure
in answering it. Mr.. Hills "Notes" contained
some little argument, agreat deal Of abuse and de-
nunciation and large amount Of the very gross
est profanity. He never sought to win converts to
his side by convincing tho judgment. He never
referred to the friends Of reconstruction in softer
terms than as deliberate perjurers." Nowhere in
his articles, from the beginning to tho end, is
political opponent mentioned except to be de-
nounced in the very strongest, and often the
grossest language he could command. Not
particle OF honesty is conceded to any
man who differs from Mr.. HILL. His 'tNotes"
abound with such horrible expressions as these:
'sFiery flames Of sulphurous hell" "hel visased
brood;" 'shelish Ingredients" 'devilish spirit of
treason;" "hellish brood;" &C., &C., all Of which
are applied indiscriminately to those who happen
to think that the country's good will be promoted
by reconstructing under the recent Acts Of Con.
gress. We are quite sure that our friend will
agree with us that paper is very poorly made up
when filed with articles which are largely compos
ed Of such vile profanity as this. Mr. HILLS
Notes have had wido circulation; but it may be
safely asserted that they have not made single
convert to his cause. The only possible effect they
can have is to increase the passions and intensity
the hatred Of those (and only some Of those) who
were of his way of thinking at the start OF Mr..
HILL generally we have nothing to soy. But upon
this particular question he is too rabid. 1t is un-
safe to follow the lead of man who is in such O
rage.