The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-07-23

pnpeFs.
E,,oLl m. EhiLacisIphid Ls.laer.

A. the recent annual dinner of the
London Newspaper Press Fund, Mr..
Gladstone made an address, in which
he uttered some wholesome truths
about newspapers. BE said "that the
world had advanced into times when
the newspaper is a great social, politi-
cal, moral power, one SO great that 1t
cannot be overlooked by any of those
who would comprehend the character
of their country or the nature of those
processes by which the movement of a
mighty nation is directed. While the
newspaper has thus become a power In
the land, those who are connected with
who supply daily or weekly to the pub
lie the iood which they derive from
Ihem-have become body so impor-
liant to the public that they are entitled
not less than others to the dignity of a
profession" Mr.. Gladstone con-
individuals, as they were n century
ago, who, perhaps guided by some
prophetic instinct, but separating them
selves in fact from the means of the
community, and from the known and
recognized paths of fame, then laid the
foundation of the newspaper system.
There are now persons engaged in sup
primary wants of society, without
which it is hardly too much to say So
ciety, as we comprehend and under
stand it, could not exist"
With regard to the English press he
said it had acted powerfully upon the
mind of the country, and the newspa-
per which was formerly the privilege
of the educated class had become the
patrimony of the people. The press
was OF use to all the people, and OF in
valuable use to men in pnblic life. Mr.
Gladstone said that he and other public
men are debtors to it, because they have
the opportunity of learning the enor-
nous public and political advantages
derived from the action of the press
and because through the Intervention
OF the newspapers the ntterances of
public men are scattered over the coun-
try, and not only ts this knowledge
widely disseminated, but Mr.. Gladstone
added that undoubtedly it is true, in
general, that the skillful hand OF the
reporter produces a considerable i'm
provement in the speeches that are de-
livered in Parliament in point of gram
mar, in point of accuracy of express
sion aud in retrenchtng any undue full
ness OF development" Even more than
this, public men owed debt gratitude
for the encouragement and encomi-
ums given by the press, and also for
their criticisms. Upon the matter OF
newspaper criticism, Mr.. Gladstone
said he "set far higher value upon their
criticisms than upon their censures; for
no man is ever injured by criticism or
Censure. If the criticisms and censures
are unjust they will do him no harm.
except it be through his own want OF
manliness of character. II, on the
other hand, they are just, they are to
him invaluable; they become the mir
ror in which he acquires the view and
knowledge of what he otherwise could
not discern; from them he learns the
means of amending his faults, of avoid
ing the errors he has committed, OF
making his abilities, whatever they
may be, more available for the benefit
of his fellOw-conntrymen, of dOing-l
will not say more perfectly, but at any
rate loss simperIectly-thea arduous work
which Providence has appointed him to
do"
Mr.. Gladstone considered that a
newspaper writer had a difficult func-
tion to discharge, and one far more DIFF
ticult and dangerous for himself than
for the public. But the editors func-
ton WAS invaluable, and society is in
debted to those who furnish instruction
and Improvement through the news
paper. He considered that during the
past few years the English press "has
become more upright, more candid,
more regardful OF the sanCLities of pri-
vate life and personal character, more
careful to avoid what could raise a
blush or stain the mind or conscience
exactly in proportion AS it has become
more popular and broad" And as it is
so great a power, all should recognize
its Importance and give 1t a hearty well
come. The public should symp4thiZe
with 1t, and aid in its work on every
fair opportunity. Mr.. Gladstone's ad-
dress was well received, and is regard
ed as strong testimony of one of the
foremost public men of the day, to the
influence, power and benefits OF pro-
fession whose mission should be to do
all the good that can be done by the
dissemination of knowledge.